Hilton Head Island is far from being an unknown destination. With 12 miles of pristine beaches, a wealth of unique history, vibrant culture, and championship golf courses, this quaint beach town has been a popular vacation spot for young and old alike, since the 1960s. The area has so much to offer, from unrivaled natural recreation to contemporary nightlife. If you’re looking to truly maximize your island experience, consider these top 15 things to do in Hilton Head!
Bum out at the beach
Coligny Beach is the largest and most popular beach on Hilton Head. Some other options that are certainly worth a stop are Burkes Beach, Folly Field Beach, and Islanders Beach. If you happen to be on vacation with Fido, the beach will hold even more appeal. Most of the local beaches are dog-friendly, but be advised – there are rules about when dogs are allowed their beach time! If animals on the beach are your thing, be sure to spend some time on Daufuskie Island, one of the last remaining places you can ride horseback on the beach!
Be indecisive
View this post on Instagram
When you just can’t settle on one option, do it all! Places like Shelter Cove Town Centre and The Village at Wexford offer a little bit of this and a little bit of that. With shops, restaurants, entertainment, and some of the most Instagrammable spots in the area, you’re sure to find something fun for everyone in your group. Keep an eye out for special events like musical performances, car cruises, and outdoor movie nights!
Ride a bike or take a hike
Hilton Head Island is only twelve miles long by five miles wide. There are nearly sixty miles of public pathways and trails to explore, making Hilton Head one of America’s most friendly biking communities. Not only is it easily accessible by bike, but that may be one of the best ways to see the area uninhibited. Beaches, forests, and marshes set the scene to welcome all levels of trailblazers.
Sneak in a little edutainment
View this post on Instagram
Battle vacation brain drain with cleverly disguised educational experiences for the ultimate parental win. The kids will have so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re learning! Visit the Marsh Tacky horses and study their rich Spanish heritage at the Coastal Discovery Museum, where you’ll also find lush native gardens, forested pathways, wildlife habitats, and tours that the whole family can enjoy. If the youngest members of your crew need to work off some energy, make time for hands-on bonding at The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum where kids and parents can explore a variety of activities together for an entertaining educational experience.
Meet our wild residents
Hilton Head is prime real estate for diverse wildlife species due to our thriving ecosystem, but our designated preserves and refuges are the best way to get back to nature on the island! The 4,053-acre Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge consists mostly of salt marsh, freshwater ponds, and forest, spread across a chain of five islands. Fabulous photo ops abound, as well as fruitful fishing spots, and 14 miles of meandering trails. Make it a scavenger hunt as you seek out more than 250 species of birds, white-tailed deer, bobcats, foxes, and alligators. Encircling a scenic pond and several walking trails, the 50-acre Audubon Newhall Nature Preserve is significantly smaller in size than the Pinckney Refuge, but it’s epic in nature – literally. Daily guided tours introduce guests to several distinct ecosystems and their inhabitants.
Test your limits
View this post on Instagram
Make it an extreme vacation when you seek out exhilarating adventures. H2O Sports at Harbour Town Marina invites you to pick your passion: parasailing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, tubing, water skiing, and more. If water sports aren’t quite your speed, you may opt for the high-flying thrills at ZipLine Hilton Head, where a two-hour canopy tour lets you experience the island from a whole new perspective – 75 feet in the air, to be precise.
Wander the waterways
View this post on Instagram
Of course, there’s more than one way to enjoy coastal recreation! Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company offers those once-in-a-lifetime charters that everyone envies, with limitless potential for unpredictable encounters with dolphin, sharks, and turtles. Or perhaps you’d prefer to sail the waters of the Intracoastal and Calibogue Sound with Pau Hana and Flying Circus Catamarans? Cruise the creeks, hug the coastlines, or weave between the islands. Regardless of your chosen path or vessel, your knowledgeable guide will surely have a variety of tips and stories to share.
Set sail with pirates or mermaids
View this post on Instagram
You know about our charter options, but do you know about the more enchanted ones? Are you ready to set sail on Calibogue Sound aboard Hilton Head’s only custom pirate ship for an adventurous treasure hunt with The Pirates of Hilton Head? How about a boat tour or dolphin experience with The Mermaid of Hilton Head?
Take a swing at our sports scene
View this post on Instagram
Hilton Head Island boasts eight of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts and camps, and more than 33 world-class golf courses, so whether you prefer to swing high on the court or low on the green, we’ve got you covered. Must-see locations include the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center and The Golf Academy of Hilton Head Island at Sea Pines. If you’re in the mood to put a little wacky into your game there are also three family-friendly mini-golf courses on the island. You can even try your hand – or foot, rather – at Hilton Head’s first foot-golf course at Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club.
Relax, recharge, and rejuvenate
It’s easy to relax in a tranquil setting like ours, but many health clubs, yoga studios, spas, and gyms offer a variety of exercise classes and wellness programs to complement your natural setting. Change up your workout with challenging new environments, or take some time out to be pampered. Whatever soothes your body and soul – you’ll find it on the island. Beach yoga, anyone?
Catch high views of the Lowcountry
View this post on Instagram
See Hilton Head in the most breathtaking way possible with Hilton Head Helicopter Tours. To maximize your coastal culture, consider the Lighthouse Tour, covering several local islands, and the most scenic spots in the region. Tour options range from 5-mile runs to 75-mile excursions to secluded islands for activities like horseback riding and eco-tours. Who wouldn’t welcome the opportunity to visit a secret island populated by more than 3,000 free-roaming Rhesus monkeys, after all?
Embrace Carolina culture
View this post on Instagram
Uncover the natural history, and cultural heritage of South Carolina’s Lowcountry to appreciate the region on a whole new level. Check the schedule for the 349-seat Arts Center of Coastal Carolina to find concerts, exhibitions, and traditional local events like the Taste of Gullah, Christmas Holiday Tree Lighting, and Youth ArtsFest. Trace the impressive history of the islands at Sea Pines Forest Preserve, where dense, mysterious forests and hidden lakes hold haunting fragments of generations past. From the long-abandoned Native American village and 4,000-year-old Indian shell ring to the remnants of Civil War landmark Fort Howell, you can chart your course by foot, horseback, wagon, boat or bike. Pay tribute to the proud heritage of the island’s native Gullah people at Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island and historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, America’s first pre-Civil War settlement for black slaves who escaped from area plantations.
Follow the light
The Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum invites you to “climb through time” at one of the most iconic sites on Hilton Head. Completed in 1970, the lighthouse is home to the only female lighthouse keepers in North America. For a minimal admission fee, you can climb to the top of the 90 foot tower, where the views of the the island and the ocean are second-to-none.
Eat like a local
View this post on Instagram
The culinary scene on Hilton Head Island is fast becoming a draw of its own. Even the pickiest of eaters will surely find palate-pleasing options from the southern comfort dishes and barbecue to the freshest seafood with oceanfront views. Trendy foodies will appreciate the range of choices from gastropubs and tapas to craft cocktails and distillery tours.
Live your best (night)life
View this post on Instagram
The party doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Live music, dancing and amazing dining experiences continue on into the night. Favorite spots include The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon, The Tiki Hut, and The Jazz Corner. Make sure to check out the MyNightOut App and HiltonHeadNightOut.com to make the most of your visit. Whether it’s adventure, relaxation, or romance that you seek, on the water or off, Hilton Head offers a vacation for everyone. With so much to see and do, you can fill every minute with exciting new adventures or you can just take it easy and enjoy the beach. The only hard part is going home.