Hilton Head Island is a city and barrier island in South Carolina, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. With an approximate population of 40,000, it is on a beautiful, sub-tropical 12-mile barrier island. Hilton Head Island is a vacation playland with famous beaches and great golf courses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
- Harbour Town. Visit to see how the upper class lives. Admire the multi-million dollar yachts in many different marinas and sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Jenkins Island. Right between the bridges from Bluffton to Hilton Head Island.
- Shelter Cove. The Island's largest deepwater marina. During the summer enjoy live music and weekly fireworks.
- Tiki Hut, 1 S Forest Beach Dr, +1 843 785-5126. Happening "barefoot" bar at a resort offering sand volleyball, beach lounge chairs & live music. Located on Coligny beach and is the only bar on the beach on Hilton Head Island. The only contact for email is via the Facebook page for the bar.
Harbour Town. Visit to see how the upper class lives. Admire the multi-million dollar yachts in many different marinas and sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Jenkins Island. Right between the bridges from Bluffton to Hilton Head Island.
Shelter Cove. The Island's largest deepwater marina. During the summer enjoy live music and weekly fireworks.
Tiki Hut, 1 S Forest Beach Dr, +1 843 785-5126. Happening "barefoot" bar at a resort offering sand volleyball, beach lounge chairs & live music. Located on Coligny beach and is the only bar on the beach on Hilton Head Island. The only contact for email is via the Facebook page for the bar.
- Biking. The Hilton Head Island area features over 25 crossing bike paths and many locations offer bike rentals.
- Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. Regarded as one of the best in “The 50 Greatest U.S Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Magazine, this resort offers 25 courts, instructional programs, and tournaments.
- Beaches - Nearly 9 miles of Atlantic Ocean surf and beautiful beaches, all publicly accessible. There are several public parks that provide beach access. From there, you can walk or bike the length of the island. Recommended spots are South Beach, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort area.
- Golf Courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:** Harbour Town Golf Links - While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head. Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
- George Fazio Golf Course. Designed by the revered golf designer, George Fazio, this 18-hole course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island.
- Arthur Hills Golf Course. Ranked 4.5 by Fodor’s Golf Digest, this course takes advantage of the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island’s marshland and ocean surroundings.
- Robert Trent Jones Course. Golfweek readers regard this course as one of the best in the region. This course was named 2003 Golf Course of the Year by South Carolina Board of Directors of the NGCOA.
- Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
- Kayaking
- Island Explorer, 101 Marshland Rd, +1 843-785-2100. Dolphin and nature boat cruises.
Biking. The Hilton Head Island area features over 25 crossing bike paths and many locations offer bike rentals.
Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. Regarded as one of the best in “The 50 Greatest U.S Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Magazine, this resort offers 25 courts, instructional programs, and tournaments.
Beaches - Nearly 9 miles of Atlantic Ocean surf and beautiful beaches, all publicly accessible. There are several public parks that provide beach access. From there, you can walk or bike the length of the island. Recommended spots are South Beach, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort area.
Golf Courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:** Harbour Town Golf Links - While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head. Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
- George Fazio Golf Course. Designed by the revered golf designer, George Fazio, this 18-hole course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island.
- Arthur Hills Golf Course. Ranked 4.5 by Fodor’s Golf Digest, this course takes advantage of the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island’s marshland and ocean surroundings.
- Robert Trent Jones Course. Golfweek readers regard this course as one of the best in the region. This course was named 2003 Golf Course of the Year by South Carolina Board of Directors of the NGCOA.
Golf Courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:** Harbour Town Golf Links - While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head. Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
- George Fazio Golf Course. Designed by the revered golf designer, George Fazio, this 18-hole course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island.
- Arthur Hills Golf Course. Ranked 4.5 by Fodor’s Golf Digest, this course takes advantage of the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island’s marshland and ocean surroundings.
- Robert Trent Jones Course. Golfweek readers regard this course as one of the best in the region. This course was named 2003 Golf Course of the Year by South Carolina Board of Directors of the NGCOA.
Golf Courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:** Harbour Town Golf Links - While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head. Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
- George Fazio Golf Course. Designed by the revered golf designer, George Fazio, this 18-hole course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island.
- Arthur Hills Golf Course. Ranked 4.5 by Fodor’s Golf Digest, this course takes advantage of the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island’s marshland and ocean surroundings.
- Robert Trent Jones Course. Golfweek readers regard this course as one of the best in the region. This course was named 2003 Golf Course of the Year by South Carolina Board of Directors of the NGCOA.
Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
Kayaking
Island Explorer, 101 Marshland Rd, +1 843-785-2100. Dolphin and nature boat cruises.
- Palmetto Dunes Outfitters. Offers boat, kayak, canoe, surf board, and various other watersport equipment rentals. Palmetto Dunes Outfitters also offers instructional programs for watersports like kayaking and surfing.
Palmetto Dunes Outfitters. Offers boat, kayak, canoe, surf board, and various other watersport equipment rentals. Palmetto Dunes Outfitters also offers instructional programs for watersports like kayaking and surfing.
Ask some service employees for their recommendations for great Hilton Head restaurants. Well-known or busy does not necessarily mean good food. Coupons and menus are available in local tourism magazines.
To get started:
- HH Prime, 23 Ocean Ln (in Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort at Palmetto Dunes, +1 843-842-8000. Provides beachside dining with culinary flair including USDA Prime Grade beef selections and fresh seafood along with decadent dessert creations, serving up classics like New York Strip to a savory Filet. For a lighter fare, enjoy island seafood. The grand interior and exterior fireplaces, dinner hour music, and the island's ultimate wine room, offering the island's largest collection -- more than 100 selections.
- Kenny B's, Circle Center (Bi-Lo), Pope Avenue. New Orleans-style cuisine. Great for lunch.
- Amigo's, Circle Center (Bi-Lo), Pope Avenue. Great burritos and BBQ Grilled Chicken salad.
- Kurama, Island Crossing (Publix, Walgreens), Palmetto Bay Road. Great Japanese Steakhouse. Pricey.
- Santa Fe Cafe, Plantation Center (near entrance to Palmetto Dunes), William Hilton Parkway. Mexican/American. Nice lunch combos. Try the Painted Desert Soup. If you're feeling flush (and haven't eaten for two days), the Cowboy cut rib of Aberdeen Angus beef takes some beating.
- British Open Pub, Village at Wexford, near intersection of William Hilton Parkway and Arrow Road. Excellent overall menu.
- The Sea Shack, Executive Park Road, off Pope Avenue. Tasty seafood, cheap prices.
- Sunrise Cafe, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Great breakfasts.
- Woody's, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Tasty and generally fairly priced with a nice atmosphere.
- Kingfisher Seafood & Steak House, 11 Heritage Rd, +1 843 671-3412.
- The Quarterdeck and Topside at the Quarterdeck, +1 843 671-2222. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service.
- Tapas Restaurant, 11 Northridge Plaza, +1 843 681-8590. Cozy locals place. Incredible food.
- Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
- Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.
- Jump & Phil's Bar & Grill, 7B Greenwood Dr, +1 843 785-9070. Local bar and grill used mainly by locals. Great burgers.
- Salty Dog Cafe, 232 South Sea Pines Dr, +1 843 363-2198. 11AM-10PM. Outdoor cafe that is especially popular with tourists. It's in the gated Sea Pines resort plantation, so you must pay $5 at the visitor's center to get in if you are not renting in the plantation. On the back of the temporary pass is a map to guide you to the area of the restaurant. Live music plays most nights in the summer. As with most restaurants on the island during the summer, you must arrive around 5:45-6PM if you don't want to wait for a table. After that time, the wait usually jumps to 30-45 minutes and slowly increases from there. This is especially true for popular restaurants such as the Salty Dog. A t-shirt from the accompanying store is a common souvenir. $10-20.
HH Prime, 23 Ocean Ln (in Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort at Palmetto Dunes, +1 843-842-8000. Provides beachside dining with culinary flair including USDA Prime Grade beef selections and fresh seafood along with decadent dessert creations, serving up classics like New York Strip to a savory Filet. For a lighter fare, enjoy island seafood. The grand interior and exterior fireplaces, dinner hour music, and the island's ultimate wine room, offering the island's largest collection -- more than 100 selections.
Kenny B's, Circle Center (Bi-Lo), Pope Avenue. New Orleans-style cuisine. Great for lunch.
Amigo's, Circle Center (Bi-Lo), Pope Avenue. Great burritos and BBQ Grilled Chicken salad.
Kurama, Island Crossing (Publix, Walgreens), Palmetto Bay Road. Great Japanese Steakhouse. Pricey.
Santa Fe Cafe, Plantation Center (near entrance to Palmetto Dunes), William Hilton Parkway. Mexican/American. Nice lunch combos. Try the Painted Desert Soup. If you're feeling flush (and haven't eaten for two days), the Cowboy cut rib of Aberdeen Angus beef takes some beating.
British Open Pub, Village at Wexford, near intersection of William Hilton Parkway and Arrow Road. Excellent overall menu.
The Sea Shack, Executive Park Road, off Pope Avenue. Tasty seafood, cheap prices.
Sunrise Cafe, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Great breakfasts.
Woody's, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Tasty and generally fairly priced with a nice atmosphere.
Kingfisher Seafood & Steak House, 11 Heritage Rd, +1 843 671-3412.
The Quarterdeck and Topside at the Quarterdeck, +1 843 671-2222. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service.
Tapas Restaurant, 11 Northridge Plaza, +1 843 681-8590. Cozy locals place. Incredible food.
Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.
Jump & Phil's Bar & Grill, 7B Greenwood Dr, +1 843 785-9070. Local bar and grill used mainly by locals. Great burgers.
Salty Dog Cafe, 232 South Sea Pines Dr, +1 843 363-2198. 11AM-10PM. Outdoor cafe that is especially popular with tourists. It's in the gated Sea Pines resort plantation, so you must pay $5 at the visitor's center to get in if you are not renting in the plantation. On the back of the temporary pass is a map to guide you to the area of the restaurant. Live music plays most nights in the summer. As with most restaurants on the island during the summer, you must arrive around 5:45-6PM if you don't want to wait for a table. After that time, the wait usually jumps to 30-45 minutes and slowly increases from there. This is especially true for popular restaurants such as the Salty Dog. A t-shirt from the accompanying store is a common souvenir. $10-20.
- Jump and Phil's, Hilton Head Plaza. Islands local watering hole.
- Frosty Frog, Coligny Plaza, +1 843-686-FROG. Frozen drinks
Jump and Phil's, Hilton Head Plaza. Islands local watering hole.
Frosty Frog, Coligny Plaza, +1 843-686-FROG. Frozen drinks
- Savannah
- Tybee Island