Hilton Head Beaches

Hilton Head Island, SC is home to breathtaking stretches of sandy beach that gently slope towards the Atlantic Ocean. Even during high tide, most of the beaches retain a wide sandy area. In 1997, the Beach Renourishment Project made a well-rewarded effort to renew the natural state of the beaches. The result is some of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Coast. With a mildly temperate climate, Hilton Head Beaches are perfect to visit year round. The water temperature of the Atlantic around Hilton Head Island drops to a low of 52 degrees Fahrenheit in January but warms up to 84 degrees in July and August.

Whether you want to relax and soak up the sun or dive in to the Atlantic's gentle surf, the Hilton Head beaches are so inviting you may never want to leave. Some beaches have play areas for children and others have volleyball nets set up for the adults and bigger kids. You can also rent bicycles, beach buggies, and chairs from several different vendors all about the island.

Hilton Head has many canine-friendly beaches and can be the perfect place to spend the day playing with your furry friends. The area beaches do implement some regulations as to when and where dogs are permitted, and at certain times they must be on their leashes. No dogs are permitted on any local beach during Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend. Seasonal rules also apply to other beach activities, including the use of personal watercraft, sailing, fishing, and kite flying. Check with the Hilton Head Area Chamber of Commerce or area Visitors Bureau to stay up to date with the current regulations.

Hilton Head Island boasts several area beaches, including beaches at Alder Lane, Coligny Beach, Folly Field, Driessen Beach, Fish Haul Creek, and Burke's Beach. Many of the island's hotels, resorts, and plantations have private beach access points, but anyone can visit those beaches via neighboring beach areas. Six of the island's beaches have public access, and five of those offer pay parking. Most parking meters cost twenty-five cents per fifteen minutes and some private lots offer parking for variable rates depending on the day of the week and the season. Islander Beach Park, located at the end of Folly Field Rd has an access point designated strictly to Hilton Head residents, and all vehicles parked here must display an authorized bumper sticker. Parking codes are strictly enforced and carry a $25.00 fine for illegal parking. Check with the local visitor's bureau for specific parking regulations.

Although Hilton Head Island offers the best beaches for kids, accidents will occasionally happen. The most common injuries occur from encountering sea life such as stingrays or beached jellyfish. You can contact the beach and surf patrol, a lifeguard, or area first aid facility for assistance at any time, as they are available to keep Hilton Head's beaches safe. If you are planning a day at the beach with children, or are spending the day by yourself, it is wise to choose one of the many beaches with lifeguards and/or beach and surf patrol on duty.

Use the menu on the top-right of this page to explore more about specific beaches in Hilton Head!