Palmetto Dunes Hilton Head Activities and Things To Do

Palmetto Dunes is the perfect combination of a resort and residential community. It is located in the heart of Hilton Head Island, or what is locally known as mid-island. The main highlight of this plantation is its long stretch of beach – think about 3 miles of pristine sand with waves gently lapping against the shore on a sunny day. Palmetto Dunes is also known for its 11 miles of winding saltwater lagoons which is home to a wide variety of wildlife. For visitors, Palmetto Dunes is not only a beautiful resort, it is also an incredible community where visitors can actually become residents.

Access

Palmetto Dunes is located mid-island. So if you look at the Hilton Head map, it sits between Shipyard and the public beaches. Beside it is Leamington, which is a private community (If you’re a visitor, you won’t find a place to stay in this area since they don’t allow short-term rentals.) You will have to Palmetto Dunes for the accommodations.

There are two gates to gain entrance into  Palmetto Dunes – the north and south gates. The north gate goes to what is known as the Mariner’s side of Palmetto Dunes and the south gate goes to the Inverness side of Palmetto Dunes.

Beaches

Whether you’re visiting Palmetto Dunes alone or you’re with friends or family, the resort offers a lot of promise when it comes to activities that you can do during your vacation. Of course, the number one attraction here would be the beach. “The Dunes House, a public access beach facility located midway down the three-mile stretch of beach, features a deck, restrooms and limited parking for resort guests. The Dunes Buggy stops at the Dunes House. Catch a free ride to the beach – and bring your beach chairs with you.” via Palmetto Dunes

Golf and Tennis

Palmetto Dunes has received national and international recognition for its family, golf, and tennis resorts. One of its many awards is a Silver Medal in Golf Magazine‘s Top 75 Golf Resorts where the Arthur Hills Golf Course was hailed as one of 25 Best Courses You Can Play.

So if you’re a sports buff, the Tennis Center and the golf courses are some of the best on the island. The Tennis Center has 23 clay courts and 2 Nova Pro-Bounce courts which are also available at night. Avid golfers can enjoy the three world-class championship golf courses in the area namely Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio, and Arthur Hills.

Other Activities

If you enjoy the outdoors but not into golf and tennis, there are miles and miles of scenic bike trails for you. The beautiful lagoons offer great opportunities for families to bond through boating, fishing, and kayaking. You can visit the Palmetto Dunes Outfitters for eco-tours, bikes, kayaking, and nature tours.

Shopping and Dining

If you’re looking to do some shopping and dining, there are great restaurants at both the Omni and the Marriot as well as the famous Alexander’s right outside the gate. You can also go to the Shelter Cove Town Center which is located directly across the street from Palmetto Dunes. Shelter Cove is a hub of activity in a beautiful setting. Stroll along the harbour to see boats or just for a little people watching. Shop to your hearts content or find any possible cuisine that is calling yoru name.

If you’re visiting during the summer, Harbourfest is something that families always look forward to in Shelter Cove. You can watch a dazzling display of fireworks every Tuesday night and Shannon Tanner is there entertaining families and Jimmy Buffett lovers at different showtimes all summer!

Hotels and Resorts

Even though it is a private community, you will definitely find hotels and resorts in Palmetto Dunes to your liking.

On the Inverness side, you can find the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort which is one of the more popular resorts in the area. The Inverness sidehas numerous vacation rentals – you will find all sorts of short-term condo rentals here.

On the Mariner side of Palmetto Dunes, you will also find some condos and some short-term rental condos, but you can also find homes here which are also available for short-term rentals. These are mostly single-family homes.

Another resort that you can find in Palmetto Dunes is the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa. If you’re looking for a spa treatment for the day and staying in another community, you can always get a day pass.

You can also find the Disney Beach House here, beach access for Disney Hilton Head Island Resort visitors (which is located across the street in Shelter Cove).

Here’s a beautiful video featuring the beautiful Palmetto Dunes:

Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular visitor to Palmetto Dunes, this beautiful resort community is one of the best places to experience the beauty of the award-winning Hilton Head Island. With endless activities and beautiful accommodations for your family, friends, or your special someone, you will surely have the sort of vacation that would go down in history.