Hilton Head Island Travel Guide: Everything you need to know

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Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island is a popular friendly vacation spot. It is known to have beautiful beaches, golf courses, natural beauty and lets not forget the 60 miles of paved bike paths. You will learn to refer to it as HHI. The Island is a perfect spot for Ohioans looking for a beach vacation in the summer. Spend a day at the beach, enjoy some good seafood, go on a bike ride, or just chill by the pool.

I have visited HHI with my family ever since I was like 10. It is the perfect family beach vacation spot.

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Stay

Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Head Island, and IHG Hotel

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Located just west of Coligny, this hotel has a pool, complimentary breakfast, and is in a great location. It is about a 10 min walk to the beach, so you don’t have to pay that beach front prices. It is also right around from the Lowcountry Park and all the shops of Coligny.

10 Tanglewood Dr

Hotel | Coligny | $$

Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines

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There are not a lot hotels in Sea Pines, since it is a gated community on he south of the island. If you are interested in stay in Sea Pines, I recommend a house rental instead.

91 N Sea Pines Dr

Hotel | Sea Pines | $$$

Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa Hilton Head Island

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Palmetto Dunes is located towards the middle part of the island. It is a great spot to have less crowded beaches but still close enough to shopping and Hilton Head gems.

One Hotel Circle

Hotel | Palmetto Dunes | $$

Marriott’s SurfWatch

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Located on the north side of the island, Folly Field Beach is typical not as crowded as the more southern beaches. If you are looking for a more secluded beach look no further.

10 Surf Watch Way

Hotel | Folly Field Beach | $$$

Vrbo/Airbnb Rental

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If you are a big group and want to spend time together, then a house is probably a better call then a hotel.

Address varies

House Rental | $$$

Looking for something else?

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Food and Drink

Frosty Frog

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Located in Coligny Plaza, The Frosty Frog is a classic of HHI. During peak season it can get busy so be prepared to wait a bit. They offer a variety of alcoholic Daiquiris and also non-alcoholic options.

Coligny Plaza, 1 N Forest Beach Dr #18

American | $$

A Low Country Backyard

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This restaurant is southern charm brought to the island life. My favorite thing after the restaurant besides the amazing food is the outside seating in the backyard patio style seating.

32 Palmetto Bay Rd Suite 4A

Southern | American | $$

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

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Located at the northern part of the island, this is the restaurant for your if you are looking for a nice seafood sit down restaurant.

1 Hudson Rd

Seafood | $$$

Sweet Al’s Cafe

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Located in Coligny Plaza, this is the best spot to grab a quick coffee and breakfast pastry or sandwich. I would recommend their cinnamon rolls.

1 N Forest Beach Dr Unit 1A

Cafe | $$

Giuseppi’s Pizza

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This is the best pizza place on the Island. However, it is located in Sea Pines so unless you already have a pass there will be a fee to get in.

71 Lighthouse Rd Unit 210

Pizza | $$

Looking for something else?

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Activities

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This shopping center is located in the middle coast of the island, right by Coligny beach. It has a variety of different shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Coligny is the perfect place to spend your time to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat.

1 N Forest Beach Dr

Entertainment | Food | Family Friendly |

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Located in the gated community of Sea Pines, this lighthouse is probably the most iconic spots on the island. Take the climb up the lighthouse to see amazing views of the island. After, take a walk around Harbour Town to see all the beautiful yachts docked on the harbor and do some shopping.

149 Lighthouse Rd

Nature | Entertainment | Family Friendly |

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Located across the street from Coligny, this park is the perfect space to walk around, or for the kids to get some energy out at the playground or The Sandbox Children’s museum. Grab some food at Coligny and walk over to one of the picnic areas in the park.

94 Pope Ave

Nature | Family Friendly |

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Located in Sea Pines, this golf course is famous for hosting the RBC Heritage PGA golf tournament. It has stunning views of the ocean and the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse. The course was designed with the input of famous golfer Jack Nicklaus.

11 Lighthouse Ln

Sports |

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Located in Coligny, this grocery store is a popular supermarket chain in the southeast U.S. Stock up on your food and also grab the iconic piggly wiggly shirts.

1 N Forest Beach Dr

Entertainment |

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Soar through the trees of the island’s low country of marshes and treetops. If you are looking for a day away from the beach, ride down a zip line.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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There are different places to learn about crabbing and then you get a chance to take a stab at it. Depending on where you go, it is catch and release but some let you take the catch back home with you.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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An isolated island off the coast of south Carolina. The only way to get to the island is by ferry. The island is a great spot if you want a chill beach vacation but there isn’t much more than that. There is a few restaurants and a rum distillery.

Nature | Family Friendly |

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Kayaking trips normally takes you on the water in hopes of finding dolphins, you will also see some birds, fish, and crabs on your ride.

Address varies

Adventure | Nature | Family Friendly |

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Located on the south of the island in Sea Pines, Salty Dog is a waterfront restaurant known for it’s laid back atmosphere and picture worthy views of the harbor. After dinner head over to the ice cream shop and don’t forget to grab a Salt Dog shirt.

232 S Sea Pines Dr

Food | Family Friendly |

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No trip to HHI is complete without a game of mini golf. This is the perfect thing to do after dinner to spend some more time with family. There are multiple locations, however my favorite is the Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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There are different options for horse back riding but the most popular one is located in Sea Pines, called Lawton Stables. They offer a trail that is about an hour or if you want it to be more relaxing they also offer a carriage ride.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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One of the things I love most about the island is how many bike paths there are and how easy it is to ride a bike between destinations. It is very common to see families riding from their house inland to the beach.

Address varies

Family Friendly |

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Located just off the island, if there is a rainy day and looking for something to do take a short drive into Bluffton, SC and do some shopping.

1414 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton

Entertainment | Family Friendly |

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Whether is be for a dinner cruise or just to see the sunset, this is the perfect way to end a long day at the beach. Most cruises will offer views of Daufuskie and Harbor town.

Address

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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Located in Harbour Town in Sea Pines, hop on a educational shrimp trawling boat and learn about how shrimp is caught. You will get to see the net in the water and possibly see some dolphins trying to steal your catch. Once the net is brought in you will help the crew separate the shrimp out from the fish. Once you get back to the dock you will get to take some shrimp home with you.

149 Lighthouse Rd

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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Get a bird’s eye view of the Hilton Head Harbor and maybe spot a sea turtle, dolphin, sharks, and other marine life. Slowly lift of the boat ask the air lifts you farther away from the water.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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A dolphin cruise is the most popular thing to do while on the island. There are so many different companies to choose from that vary in length and what water ways you will be on. It’s so popular for a reason and that’s why I highly recommend.

Address varies

Adventure | Family Friendly |

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Located towards the northern part of the island right by the airport, the distillery offers a tour of the facility and also different cocktail making classes.

14 Cardinal Rd

Entertainment | Food |

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Located at the north part of the island, this is more of a hidden gem on the island. With the north part of the island being less visited, this beach is last to be visited. However, it is the perfect spot to go looking for shells and also shark teeth.

Address

Adventure | Nature | Family Friendly |

Click here to see more activities to do.

Travel Tips

01

Weather

July has the highest temps with and average 90 degrees F. September and October are hurricane season.

02

Events and Festivals

Lantern Parade, Caramel Apple Festival, Lowcountry Fish and Grits Music Festival, RBC Heritage PGA Golf Tournament

03

What to pack

Bring the sunscreen and grab your best bathing suits to hit the beach and pool.

04

Best Time to Visit

Peak season is June-August, so it will be crowded. If you can, I suggest visiting in September. It is still warm and less crowded.

07

Culture/Atmosphere

HHI is a touristy area that many families have visited for many summers. Beachy vibes on island time.

10

Must get Souvenir

The best souvenir to represent HHI is the Harbour Town lighthouse.

05

Trip Length

Most families spend a week from Saturday to Saturday but it depends on how long you want to spend at the beach.

08

Accessibility

11

If you only have time for one thing

Spend a day on the Coligny beach and then stop over at Coligny Plaza for some shopping and food.

06

Transportation

To get onto the island you will need a car or arrive on the HHI airport. Once on the island there are bike paths everywhere to get around.

09

Traveling with Dogs?

Memorial-Labor day, dogs are not allowed on the beach 10am-5pm. Any other times are allowed on the beach on leash.

12

Fun Facts

There are no neon lights on the island. The island has laws to prevent them.