Planning a trip to Hilton Head Island? Get ready for wide sandy beaches, dolphins swimming right past your boat, Spanish moss-draped bike paths, and some of the best shrimp and grits you’ll ever eat.
This little South Carolina barrier island is the perfect mix of relaxing and fun. Whether you’re planning a family beach vacation, a girls’ trip, or a romantic getaway, I’ve rounded up the 22 best things to do in Hilton Head, plus my favorite places to eat. Save this guide to your travel board so it’s ready when you start planning!
Hilton Head at a glance
- Where: South Carolina’s Lowcountry, about 45 minutes from Savannah, Georgia
- Size: About 12 miles long and 5 miles wide
- Beaches: 12 miles of beaches you can enjoy all year
- Getting around: 64 miles of public pathways, so you can bike almost everywhere
- Best for: Families, couples, golfers, nature lovers, and anyone who needs a slower pace
Best Hilton Head Beaches and Water Activities
Let’s be honest, the beach is the main event. Here’s how to make the most of the water.
1. Spend a Day at Coligny Beach Park
Coligny Beach Park is the most popular beach on Hilton Head, and for good reason. It has restrooms, outdoor showers, swings, and chair and umbrella rentals. It’s also the only town beach park with free parking, and it’s right next to Coligny Plaza, so lunch and ice cream are a short walk away. Go early in summer, because the lot fills up fast.
2. Let the Kids Play at Driessen Beach Park
Driessen Beach Park is a little quieter than Coligny and a great pick for families. It has a playground, a picnic pavilion, and a boardwalk through the dunes, plus plenty of room to spread out on the sand. Parking here is metered.
3. Find Some Quiet at Mitchelville Beach
Want a calmer, less crowded beach? Head to the north end of the island. Mitchelville Beach is one of the island’s best-kept secrets. Go at low tide, when the water pulls way out and the shelling is great. At high tide, there’s barely any sand left.
4. Go on a Dolphin Cruise
A dolphin tour is the most-booked activity on the island, and it’s SO worth it. Bottlenose dolphins live in these waters all year. Tours often start around $40 per adult, and you can pick from morning, daytime, or sunset cruises.
5. Visit the Disappearing Island
This sandbar only shows up at low tide, then vanishes again when the water comes back in. Some tours, like this Disappearing Island dolphin tour, stop here so you can hop off and look for shells, sand dollars, and starfish. It’s such a unique Hilton Head experience.
6. Kayak or Paddleboard Through Broad Creek
Paddling the tidal salt marsh is one of the most peaceful things you can do here. A guided Broad Creek kayak tour heads into the dolphins’ favorite feeding grounds, and you’ll likely see herons, egrets, and maybe an osprey or two. No experience needed.
7. Book a Sunset Cruise
Hilton Head sunsets over the marsh are unreal. A sunset cruise is a perfect date night, and some even include dinner on board.
8. Take the Kids on a Pirate Ship Adventure
If you’re traveling with little ones, the Black Dagger pirate cruise from Harbour Town is a must. Kids get pirate names and face paint, hunt for treasure, and battle a pirate with water cannons. It’s silly, fun, and they’ll talk about it the whole trip.
Nature, Biking, and Free Things to Do in Hilton Head
Hilton Head is a nature lover’s dream, and a lot of the best stuff is free.
9. Rent Bikes and Explore the Trails
Biking is THE way to get around Hilton Head. The town maintains 64 miles of public pathways and nature trails that connect beaches, shops, and restaurants, and they’re almost completely flat. There are nearly 30 bike rental shops on the island, and many will drop bikes off right at your rental.
10. Bike on the Beach at Low Tide
This one surprises a lot of first-timers! At low tide, the sand gets hard-packed and wide, so you can ride right along the water. Check a tide chart and plan a morning ride. This guide to the best bike trails on Hilton Head has more route ideas.
11. Wander the Sea Pines Forest Preserve
Tucked inside Sea Pines Resort, the Sea Pines Forest Preserve covers 605 acres of quiet trails, boardwalks over the wetlands, and lots of wildlife. Don’t miss the 4,000-year-old shell ring. Keep your eyes open for alligators (from a safe distance!). Heads up: Sea Pines charges a gate fee per car.
12. See the Stoney-Baynard Ruins
Also in Sea Pines, the Stoney-Baynard Ruins are what’s left of a plantation home built in the late 1700s out of tabby, a mix of oyster shells, lime, and water. It’s a quick, interesting stop and an easy bike ride from the forest preserve.
13. Spot Wildlife at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge sits between Hilton Head and Bluffton, right off the bridge, and it’s free to visit from sunrise to sunset. Walk or bike the trails and look for deer, alligators, and tons of wading birds like ibis, egrets, and herons. Bring water and bug spray!
14. Learn Something at the Coastal Discovery Museum
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and the best place to learn about the island’s history, Gullah culture, and Lowcountry wildlife. Admission is free! The grounds are gorgeous, with huge live oaks, a butterfly habitat, and marsh-front boardwalks.
15. Let the Kids Run Wild at Lowcountry Celebration Park
This free park near Coligny is home to the Adventure Playground, a huge play structure built to look like the ship Captain William Hilton sailed when he found the island. It has crow’s nests, rope nets, and misting cannons. Kids love it!
Shopping, History, Nightlife, and Day Trips
16. Climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse
The red-and-white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse is the most iconic spot on Hilton Head. Climb the 114 steps (there are history exhibits on every level) for views of the marina and Calibogue Sound, then browse the boutiques and grab a bite around the harbor. In the evenings, families gather under the big oak tree for live music.
17. Watch the Sunset at Shelter Cove Towne Centre
Shelter Cove Towne Centre is a waterfront shopping and dining area overlooking Broad Creek. Come for dinner, stay for the sunset, and stroll the harbor with an ice cream cone.
18. Shop and Snack at Coligny Plaza
Coligny Plaza has been around since the 1950s and has more than 60 shops and restaurants, plus a movie theater and live entertainment in season. It’s the perfect spot to grab souvenirs, sweet treats, and a quick bite after the beach.
19. Visit Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park marks the site of Mitchelville, the first freedmen’s community established during the Civil War. Today the park has historic exhibits, trails, and beach access, and it’s an important part of understanding Hilton Head’s Gullah heritage.
20. Catch Live Music at The Jazz Corner
The Jazz Corner has hosted big-name musicians since 1999 and has a cool, classy vibe. It’s one of the best date nights on the island. Make a reservation, because shows sell out!
21. Tour the Hilton Head Distillery
Hilton Head Distillery is the island’s first craft distillery and makes a bunch of different rums. Book a tour or tasting for a fun afternoon out, especially if the weather isn’t beach-friendly.
22. Take a Day Trip to Daufuskie Island
You can only get to Daufuskie by boat, which makes it feel like a step back in time. Take the Daufuskie Island public ferry over, then explore by golf cart, visit the Gullah historic sites, and stop by the local art studios. Guided history tours also leave from Hilton Head.
Bonus day trips: Charming Bluffton is just over the bridge, with a cute historic district and art galleries. And you can even take a ferry to Savannah for the day! It leaves from Harbour Town and docks right on River Street.
Tip: Hours and menus change seasonally on the island, so check before you go, especially in the off-season.
Best Restaurants in Hilton Head
Fresh seafood, Southern comfort food, and waterfront views? Yes please. Here are the spots worth planning your day around.
Seafood with a view
- Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks: The oldest seafood restaurant on the island, serving since 1967 right on the docks overlooking Port Royal Sound. Much of the seafood is caught locally. Seating is first come, first served.
- Fishcamp on Broad Creek: Southern-style seafood with a laid-back marsh-side setting. Grab a table outside at sunset.
- The Black Marlin Bayside Grill: A local favorite at Palmetto Bay Marina, known for its sushi nachos and shrimp burger.
Casual and cozy
- The Sea Shack: No-frills, order-at-the-counter seafood that locals swear by. Pick fried, grilled, or blackened. Expect a line, and know it’s worth it.
- A Lowcountry Backyard: Southern food on a charming garden patio. The shrimp and grits are a must-order.
- The Salty Dog Cafe: An island icon at South Beach Marina since 1987. Bike over, grab a table on the deck, and pick up a souvenir T-shirt.
Breakfast and treats
The Frosty Frog Cafe: A fun Coligny Plaza hangout with a big patio, pizzas and sandwiches, and a famous frozen drink menu.
Sweet Al’s Cafe: Coffee, donuts, and pastries in Coligny Plaza. Perfect before a beach morning.
Hilton Head FAQ
What is Hilton Head Island known for? Hilton Head is known for its wide beaches, world-class golf, miles of bike paths, dolphin tours, and fresh Lowcountry seafood.
What is the best time to visit Hilton Head? Spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) are ideal. The weather is warm, the crowds are smaller, and prices are often lower than in summer.
How many days do you need in Hilton Head? Three to five days is perfect. That gives you time for beach days, a dolphin cruise, biking, and a day trip to Daufuskie or Savannah.
What is the best beach in Hilton Head? Coligny Beach Park is the most popular because of its amenities. For a quieter day, try Driessen Beach or Mitchelville Beach.
Is Hilton Head good for families? Absolutely! Calm beaches, pirate ship cruises, playgrounds, and easy bike paths make it one of the best family beach vacations on the East Coast.
Is Hilton Head walkable? Some areas are, like Coligny and Harbour Town. But the island is best explored by bike, thanks to its huge network of paths.
I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect Hilton Head vacation! Pin it to your travel board so you have it handy, and enjoy every minute of island life.
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