Hilton Head Beach Activities and Things to Do In Hilton Head

One of the best features of Hilton Head Island is its 12 miles of unspoiled beaches. So if you’re vacationing on Hilton Head Island, it’s almost a requirement to have a taste of its beautiful stretches of sand where you will get to enjoy the sunshine, ocean, and the magnificent views around the island.

The beaches on Hilton Head Island are public. This means that you don’t have to enter a private property to gain access to some of the beaches in Hilton Head, although most beach access is via a gated community. 

With miles and miles of sand on Hilton Head Island, there is a lot to be seen during your stay. One of the most common activities by both residents and vacationers here is to go walking or biking along the beach.

Hilton Head’s beaches have designated beach markers which are numbered. This is originally intended for emergency responders but is actually a very useful guide for beach lovers to know where they are. The beach markers start from Sea Pine’s Harbour Town heading north to Port Royal’s Fish Haul Creek. 

To give you a bird’s eye view of Hilton Head’s magnificent beaches, let’s take you along on a virtual tour of Hilton Head’s beaches. This will help you determine which of the beaches will be best suited for your vacation. 

Sea Pines

Did you know that Sea Pines has the longest stretch of beach on Hilton Head? The plantation itself is about 5,200 acres. Sea Pines has 5 miles of beautiful beaches. The beach markers start at #0 in Harbourtown. It is where you will see Hilton Head’s trademark lighthouse. And then as you travel on toward South Beach, you will find the next one at Braddock Cove at marker #1. Braddock Cove is a private property which offers rented accommodations, but even if you’re not a guest here, you can take time to enjoy the beach along this property. 

The next stop will be marker #13 at Tower Beach. The beach is intended for property owners only.

The next marker you will see at Sea Pines is marker #37 which rests at Marriott’s Monarch. This beach is intended for timeshare guests but you’re welcome to stop and rest your weary legs on the beach. The grounds and pools are off limits to anyone other than guests, though. So just move on ahead to the next marker, which is also the last one you can see in Sea Pines, which is marker #38 at the Sea Pines Beach Club. This is a good spot if you want to try sand and water activities that you can rent from the lifeguards. They also provide entertainment and seasonal activities for kids.

 
South Forest Beach

South Forest Beach has been featured by one company as the “gate to the Pines”. The beach markers in this area start at the Alder Lane Beach Access which is numbered #52A. A quiet area of South Forest Beach, it makes it ideal for someone who is not a crowd lover. You will also find handicap beach matting, outdoor showers, restrooms, a vending machine and seasonal lifeguards.

As you move up along South Forest Beach, you will find a few private properties. The beach is still for public use, but guests at these private properties might swarm the beach. There’s Marriott’s Grande Ocean Resort at markers #53-54, the Hilton Ocean Oaks & Ocean Dunes at marker #54A, the Ocean Club Villas at marker #56, Seaside Villas at marker #56A, Shorewood Villas at marker #57A, and Beachwood Place at marker #58.

Coligny

After South Forest Beach, you will now approach the Coligny area. The Holiday Inn and world famous Tiki Hut is located here at marker #59. This is also where the famous Coligny Beach Park is located.

If you love being around crowds, Coligny Beach Park will be your best choice among all the other beaches. Coligny Beach is considered one of the most of the most popular and best beaches on the island, which makes it the island’s busiest beach. You will find lots of things to do here such as volleyball and other outdoor sports. Aside from sports activities, this beach offers a lot of facilities that everyone will benefit from such as clean bathrooms and showers and lots of food choices. Parking is not totally free but it’s relatively cheaper compared to the other beaches.

North Forest Beach

The North and South Forest Beaches compose a 3-mile stretch of sandy beach which is separated by the Coligny Circle. There are two beach markers in this area – marker #60 falls at the Breakers and marker #60A is located at the Sea Crest. These are both private properties where you can find vacation rentals. But well, if you want to go to the beach there, you can access it from outside.

Shipyard Plantation

The next area you will see is the beach along Shipyard Plantation. This spreads across 1,765 acres of land.

Shipyard has an interesting history of how it got its name. It actually originated from its first recorded owner, Henry Talbot-Talbirt, who was a bricklayer from Dublin, Ireland. Since bricks were manufactured on the property during that time it became known as “Brickyard Plantation”. After the Revolutionary War, a family of shipbuilders, the Fickling Family, resided in the property. Brickyard Plantation then evolved to being called “Shipyard Plantation” as an association to the shipbuilding family business.

As interesting as its name, Shipyard is a very interesting place to stay if you are looking forward to having a beach vacation.

The sole beach marker in Shipyard is located at the Sonesta Resort which is numbered 72. You will have all-access to the beautiful beach here if you’re staying in any of the accommodations in this area. Parking spots can be found at the end of Shipyard Drive, but take note that if it’s a busy season, parking becomes a little difficult.

Leamington

Leamington lies adjacent to Palmetto Dunes and boasts of 460 lush acres. Added to that is the long stretch of sandy beach that awaits those who want to enjoy it. The beach marker starts at the South Shore with #73, and then on to Somerset at marker #73B, and Leamington proper at marker #73C.

Palmetto Dunes

The Palmetto Dunes Plantation is a very popular vacation spot for a lot of tourists. With its pristine 3-mile-long beach and its location at the heart of Hilton Head’s best attractions, it is a very good choice to stay. 

You can find several beach markers in the Palmetto Dunes area. It starts from the Barrington Court at #74, then goes on to Barrington Arms at #74A, and then on the Windsor properties at #75 and #76, and then it moves up to Hampton Place at #77, and on to the popular Omni Resort at #78-78A, Captain’s Walk at #79-90, the famous Disney Hotel at #80A, Villamare at #81, Marriott at #82-82A, and then finally, Dunes House at #83. 

So, as you can imagine, there are lots of private properties in the Palmetto Dunes area, and probably a lot of people as well, but if you’re a guest, then you will get to enjoy the vast expanse of its beautiful beach. 

The Public Beaches

Now, after the Palmetto Dunes area, you will approach the mid-island section of Hilton Head Island where you will find the public beaches and a few private properties. This is good news for people who want to enjoy easy beach access. 

So, the first is the Hilton Head Resort at #94A. It is then followed by Folly Creek at #97.

Folly Creek is has a bowl-shaped salt marsh where wildlife like to thrive. So if you are looking forward to taking pictures of wading birds and ghost crabs, it would be worth stopping here during low tide when the shoals and mudflats are exposed.

The next one is Burke’s Beach at #98. Burke’s Beach is public property so you won’t find any amenities here. It is also very hard to find a parking spot here, so better be ready. And if you have someone with you on a wheelchair, take note that there is no beach matting here for easier wheelchair access. The great thing about this beach, though, is that you will get to enjoy a bit of solitude since there are really no big crowds.

After Burke’s Beach is Marriott’s SurfWatch at #100; followed by Driessen Beach Park at #102.

Driessen Beach is another public beach, but this is more accommodating than Burke’s Beach since they have amenities like restrooms, showers, and vending machines. Parking is not difficult since there’s plenty of parking spaces here … and if you are planning to take a swim, it will give confidence knowing that there are lifeguards in your midst. Wheelchairs can also be easily brought here since there is beach matting.

If you are planning to have a good round of tennis, then it would be worth stopping here at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort, which is located at #102A-104. After that is the Sea Cloisters at #104A in which you can find rentals.

The next is the Folly Field Beach Park at #105. Folly Field Beach is a surfer’s haven. It is conveniently located mid-island … and this beach is also one of the most popular destinations for families since it has a boardwalk, playground, and picnic areas. It is said that one of the first beach cottages on the island were built here as a way to attract visitors.

After that is the Island Club at #107A-109A, and then followed by the Islander’s Beach Park at #110-110A.

Islanders Beach is the beach for locals. This makes parking for visitors next to impossible because only Hilton Head property owners are allowed to buy permits for parking. So if you’re a visitor, the alternative is to just go by bike or feed the meter. Although parking may be the only deterrent for visitors, you will be able to enjoy the amenities here which includes sand showers, playgrounds, changing rooms, restrooms, and vending machines.

As you go on, you will find the Barony Beach Club at #110B which is also owned by Marriott and then the Westin at #111-111A.

 Port Royal Plantation

This is the last of the plantations with beach markers. Here, you will find the Port Royal Beach Club at #123. Primarily used by property owners and their guests.

The last beach marker, which is numbered #134, marks the Mitchelville and Fish Haul Creek. Fish Haul Creek is the beach for loners. It doesn’t have much activity. It is located on the Port Royal Sound so it doesn’t have much wave action for surfers. Most of the time, it is deserted. However, if you are the type of person who would rather be alone and private, then this is definitely the beach for you. 

Whatever season it is that you’re visiting Hilton Head, there’s most definitely a reason to hit the beach, a brisk walk in February looking for shells and sea glass, surfing in April or playing in the summer sun all season long.