Things to Do on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head is the upscale alternative to Myrtle Beach — 12 miles of Atlantic beach, 24 championship golf courses, and a deliberate low-key vibe. No high-rises, no neon signs. Buildings are required to blend with the natural landscape, and the island’s canopy of live oaks draped with Spanish moss sets the tone.

Beaches

Hilton Head has 12 miles of wide, hard-packed Atlantic beach. The sand is firm enough for biking. Public beach access at Coligny Beach Park (the most popular), Driessen Beach Park, and Islanders Beach Park.

Low tide exposes hundreds of yards of wet sand — the beach becomes enormous.

Harbour Town

The iconic centerpiece of Sea Pines Resort. The lighthouse (climb 114 steps for panoramic views), yacht basin, shops, restaurants, and waterfront dining. The Harbour Town Golf Links hosts the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament every April.

Golf

24 courses on an island 12 miles long. Harbour Town (Pete Dye design, PGA Tour stop), Atlantic Dunes (Davis Love III design), and Palmetto Dunes (Arthur Hills, Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio — three courses). Public and semi-private options available.

Nature

Dolphin Tours — Bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents. Multiple operators run boat tours through Calibogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge — Free. 14 miles of trails through salt marshes, ponds, and forests. Alligators, herons, egrets, and deer.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve — 605 acres with walking trails, a prehistoric shell ring (4,000 years old), and a nature boardwalk through wetlands.

Biking — 60+ miles of paved bike paths criss-cross the island. Flat terrain, shaded canopy, and a legitimate alternative to driving.

Vacation Deals

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