To the Beach and Beyond: Get the Inside Scoop on Visiting Hilton Head Island

With over 250 local restaurants, 12 miles of pristine beaches, and a temperate year-round climate, Hilton Head Island is the perfect getaway for couples and families alike in South Carolina. This is a year-round destination with moderate temperatures throughout the winter that still make many of the island’s activities enjoyable.

Here’s our guide to experiencing the island’s natural beauty and long list of restaurants, attractions and amenities:

It’s All About the Beaches

Hilton Head Island boasts some of the best beaches in the U.S. Set up your umbrella for a relaxing day on the sand, let the kids play in the water or get your exercise along the shore.The island’s hard-packed sand is perfect for a long bike ride, a training run or a sunset walk.

Hit the Greens

Besides its glorious beaches, Hilton Head Island is known as a golfer’s paradise, with some two dozen courses designed by some of the top names in the sport. Adjacent to the luxurious oceanfront Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is Port Royal Golf Club, featuring 54 holes of legendary golf.

You can plan your golf getaway around the annual RBC Heritage, an April PGA Tour event that will mark its 50th anniversary in 2019.

Savor the Local Food Scene

Hilton Head Island’s food scene combines authentic flavors with a small town vibe. With dozens of locally-owned restaurants, there’s a restaurant to satisfy every taste.

Some favorites include Java Burrito, which is perfect for coffee lovers and fans of Mexican food; Salty Dog Cafe, which is known for its fresh-caught seafood and waterfront views; A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant, specializing in shrimp and grits and other Southern specialties; and Hudson’s, another seafood eatery with breathtaking water views.

Test the Waters

Whether you’re a boating enthusiast, an adventure seeker or sea animal lover, Hilton Head Island offers a range of water activities. Watch the majestic dolphins swim along your boat on a guided catamaran cruise or rent your own watercraft so you can see the island’s waterways on your own schedule.

Looking to get more active? You’ll find plenty to do on water, whether it’s paddle boarding, parasailing, waterskiing or windsurfing.

Hilton Head Island on 2 Wheels

With more than 60 miles of paved and dirt public paths, you can explore almost any spot on the island by bike, whether you’re looking to watch the sunrise, hit the beach or ride to dinner.

Nature on Demand

Calling all eco-tourists—you can easily get in touch with the natural world on Hilton Head Island.

Learn about the endangered loggerhead sea turtles at the Coastal Discovery Museum, take a boat tour to see the bottlenose dolphins, look for more than 200 species of birds at the Audubon-Newhall Preserve and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, or soar through the abundant wildlife and foliage of the Low Country, via ZipLine Hilton Head.

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