Hilton Head Beaches

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Beaches on Hilton Head Island

      Hilton Head offers about 14 miles of beach, mostly along the Atlantic Ocean coast, and Port Royal Sound.   The beaches are perfect for children.  The ocean is calm and as warm as bathwater, and at low tide, the stretch of sand is endless.  There are a few shells and starfish, sand dollars and horseshoe crabs are frequently spotted.  The beaches slope very gradually in most areas.  You can go out a long way from shore and still be able to stand.  This gradual slope inhibits wave action, so Hilton Head is not a place to surfboard but ideal for children to frolic in the waves.

      Biking on the beach at or near low tide is a popular pastime as the sand is usually hard packed.  Be sure to check the wind direction and let the wind help you along.  You may want to exit the beach and ride on a bike path for your return trip. 

      Dogs are allowed on the beach on Hilton Head.  During the summer months their visits are limited to before 10 am and after 5 pm.

There are six “public access” beach areas:

1.       Alder Lane –at the south end of the island beside the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort with parking across South Forest Beach Road.  Amenities include restrooms and a drink vending machine.

2.      Burke’s Beach – off William Hilton parkway (278 Bus.) at Burke’s Beach Road. 

3.      Coligny Beach – island’s busiest beach located at Coligny Circle at the end of Pope Avenue.  Amenities include rest rooms, changing rooms, water fountains, sand showers, pay telephones, and volleyball nets.  Life Guards rent beach equipment, sand trikes, umbrellas, etc.

4.      Dreissen Beach – off William Hilton Parkway at Bradley Beach Road.  It has Life Guards, plenty of parking, restrooms, sand showers, and vending machines.

5.      Folly Field Beach – located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field Road.  Restrooms, sand showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available.

6.      Islander’s Beach Club-  this beach is intended primarily for locals.  It is located off Folly Field Road at Sparkleberry Lane.  Parking is available only for those who purchase annual permits, which are limited to Hilton Head property owners.  Amenities include restrooms, changing rooms, playground, vending machines, sand showers and picnic tables.

Other Beaches

1.       Sea Pines Beach Club in Sea Pines on the Atlantic Ocean offering many amenities including food service, a bar, showers, restrooms, entertainment and activities for children (seasonal).  It is attended by life guards.  The Sea Pines trolley provides transportation to the Beach Club from the Greenwood Drive parking lot and Harbour Town.

2.      Sonesta  Beach is in Shipyard and is accessible to those staying in Shipyard.

3.      Palmetto Dunes Beach                    

4.      Westin Resort Hotel

Beach regulations are posted all along the beach.  You may not remove any living creature from the beach (hermit crabs, starfish, sand dollars etc.)  Take nothing but your memories, leave nothing but your footprints.