Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Twelve miles of beach. Twenty-four golf courses. Fifty miles of bike paths. And alligators.
In this guide
01 — Why Hilton Head
The Southern beach that quietly does everything right.
Hilton Head Island sits at the southern tip of South Carolina, where the Lowcountry meets the Atlantic — 12 miles of wide, hard-packed beach, 24 golf courses, 50+ miles of bicycle paths that make the island genuinely navigable without a car, and a wildlife population that includes alligators in nearly every lagoon, loggerhead sea turtles nesting on the beaches from May through October, and enough birds to keep serious birders occupied for a week.
The island is organized into gated resort communities called Plantations — Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Shipyard, Port Royal — each with its own beaches, pools, tennis facilities, and golf. Non-plantation visitors access the island’s public beaches and amenities through the general resort infrastructure, which is extensive. The result is a beach destination that has more to do per square mile than almost any comparable East Coast option.
“Hilton Head does the family beach week better than almost anywhere on the East Coast. Not because it tries hardest, but because everything — the beaches, the bike paths, the wildlife, the proximity to Savannah — simply works.”
02 — Getting there
Savannah is 40 minutes away. That’s your airport.
Savannah/Hilton Head Airport (SAV)
The primary airport — about 35 miles from Hilton Head, roughly 45 minutes. Well-connected with direct flights from most major East Coast cities.
From Atlanta
About 4.5 hours northeast via I-16 and I-95. A manageable drive for a long weekend.
From Charlotte
About 3.5 hours south via I-26 and I-95. One of the most popular drive markets for Hilton Head.
You need a car or bike
The island has no public transit. Car or bicycle for getting around — and given the 50 miles of bike paths, a bicycle legitimately works for most people most of the time.
03 — Where to stay
Plantation, villa, or hotel — each works differently.
Hilton Head lodging falls into three categories: resort plantation properties (villas, condos, and houses within the gated communities), independent hotels, and vacation rental houses. For families, a villa or house within one of the plantations — with pool, beach access, and tennis — is the classic Hilton Head experience.
04 — The beaches
Wide, hard-packed, and better than most people expect.
Coligny Beach
The most accessible and most social beach — shops, restaurants, lifeguards, and the central meeting point for the island. Busy in season but the beach itself is wide enough that it never feels genuinely crowded.
Alder Lane Beach
A local favorite — quieter than Coligny, limited facilities, mostly residents. Find it if you want to escape the tourist concentration.
Driessen Beach
Family-focused with good facilities including a large playground adjacent to the beach access. Good choice for families with young children.
Sea Pines / Plantation beaches
The plantation beaches are accessible to guests and residents. If you’re staying within a plantation, your beach access is private and significantly less crowded.
05 — Things to do
More than any other Southern beach destination.
Ride the bike paths
50+ miles of dedicated bicycle paths connect virtually everything on the island — beaches, plantation gates, shopping, restaurants. Rent bikes from any of the island’s many rental shops and cover the whole island without a car. Best bike destination on the East Coast.
Watch for alligators
The lagoons throughout the island’s golf courses and plantations have significant alligator populations. A slow bike ride or walk along any lagoon edge will almost certainly produce sightings. They’re genuinely wild — keep a respectful distance and never feed them.
Golf
Hilton Head has 24 courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines — home of the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event. Public and semi-private courses are available to visitors at all price points.
Dolphin watching on the sound
Bottlenose dolphins are a year-round presence in the Port Royal Sound and the waters around the island. Guided boat tours run daily from the marinas and sightings are extremely reliable.
Harbour Town and the lighthouse
Sea Pines’ marina village — the candy-striped lighthouse, restaurants on the water, shops, and a genuinely charming waterfront that doesn’t feel manufactured. Climb the lighthouse for the best views of the island.
06 — Day trip to Savannah
Forty minutes south. Worth every minute.
Savannah, Georgia is 40 miles from Hilton Head — an easy day trip that dramatically expands what a Hilton Head week can be. The historic district, the squares, the antebellum architecture, the River Street waterfront, and the restaurant scene make Savannah one of the most compelling day-trip combinations in the Southeast.
How to do it
Drive over in the morning, park once near Forsyth Park or the Historic District, walk the squares, eat lunch on the waterfront, spend the afternoon exploring. Head back to the beach in time for sunset. The drive via US-278 and I-95 is about 45 minutes. Every Hilton Head trip should include at least one Savannah day.
07 — Where to eat
Better than the resort island reputation suggests.
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
The landmark seafood restaurant on Skull Creek — shrimp boats dock nearby, the seafood is fresh by definition, and the sunset views from the outdoor deck are extraordinary.
The Salty Dog Cafe
The Hilton Head institution at South Beach Marina — casual, iconic, the T-shirts are everywhere on the island. The shrimp burger and grouper sandwich are the moves.
Skull Creek Boathouse
Waterfront dining at its most straightforward — fresh seafood, great views over the marsh and creek, the kind of place that makes a Hilton Head evening feel exactly right.
Michael Anthony’s
The island’s upscale option for a proper dinner — Italian-influenced, wine list, the right choice when you want something more than casual seafood.
08 — Practical tips
What to know before you go.
Book early for summer
Plantation villa inventory goes fast for summer weeks. Book 4–6 months out for July and August.
Sea turtle nesting
Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Hilton Head beaches May through October. Lights visible from the beach can disorient nesting turtles — many rentals have beach-facing light restrictions. Follow the guidelines.
Alligator safety
Keep at least 60 feet from any alligator. Never feed them — it’s illegal and dangerous. Keep pets and small children away from lagoon edges.
Plantation day passes
Some plantations sell day passes for non-guests to access amenities. Sea Pines day passes allow non-residents access to the plantation — worth it for Harbour Town and the beach access.
The Southern beach that does it better than it has to.
Hilton Head doesn’t need to try as hard as it does. The beaches alone would be enough. The bike paths alone would be enough. The alligators in the lagoons alone are enough for most families with kids. The fact that Savannah is 40 minutes away and one of the best day trips in the South is almost unfair. Hilton Head wins the family beach week comparison so consistently because it genuinely has more to offer than anywhere else at this latitude.