A guide to Hilton Head Beaches
Introduction
Hilton Head offers about 14 miles of beach. Most of it is along the Atlantic
Ocean coast, some is along the Calibogue Sound, some on the Port Royal Sound at
Port Royal plantation and Hilton Head plantation has a small beach next to
Dolphin Head, also on Port Royal sound. The newly opened Fish
Haul Creek Park offers a little known beach access to a beach on the Port Royal
Sound. The beach there is quite private (no, not that private) but with
little wave action.
Along the beach you will see numbered markers which have been put in place to
help identify the location to emergency
responders. The numbers start at
"one" on the Calibogue beach at Lands End in Sea Pines plantation and increment by
one every tenth of a mile as you go North or East. Numbers ending in
"A" "B" or "C" designate a location between the two numbers on either side
and are not indicative of miles..
The beaches slope very gradually in most areas. You can go out a long way from
shore and still be able to stand with your head above water (there are some
places where tidal currents produce deep holes, so be careful). This gradual
slope inhibits wave action, so Hilton Head is not a place to surfboard unless
you are just learning. It also means the tides have a very significant effect on
the width of the beach. When the tide is high, there is still a good beach
from approximately beach marker 80A to Tower Beach in Sea Pines, at beach marker 13
and even as far as marker 8, and also from marker 102 to 111A. Depending on how high the tide
is and when the last beach renourishment took place, other locations may prove unusable
at high tide.
The sand below the mid tide line is usually hard packed enough to support a
bicycle with wide tires, and biking on the beach at or near low tide is a
popular pastime (you should be warned that hitting a patch of soft sand will
bring you to a very sudden stop). Beach bikers have learned to check the wind
direction before heading out - riding into the wind is like riding
uphill, and vice versa.
There are seven "public access"¹ beach areas popular with
visitors (most are attended by life guards from Memorial weekend to Labor Day).
Pay parking is available at all but the Islander's Beach Park, and there are
reserved parking spots for those who purchase annual beach tags (available to
Hilton Head property owners only).
Click on any underlined listing for information from the Town.
The southern most of these beach access locations is beside the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort on
South Forest Beach Rd. at Alder Lane. There is parking across South Forest
Beach Rd at the meters for 25¢ for 15 minutes. This is a nice wide beach and is relatively
uncrowded. Amenities include restrooms and a drink vending machine.
It's an easy bike ride from most south end locations. This beach also is
equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
Burke's Beach is located off William Hilton parkway (278 Bus.) at Burke's Beach Rd.
The parking is very limited, though you can park next door at
Chaplin Park. There are no amenities.
A reader recently reported there is now a lifeguard there.
There is no beach matting for wheelchair access. This beach is very uncrowded. Thanks, Pat M.
This beach is located at Coligny circle at Pope Avenue and South Forest Beach
Drive. It's the island's busiest beach, in part because volleyball nets are
available and an outdoor bar is located just off the beach at the Holiday Inn. There are rest rooms,
changing rooms, water fountains, sand showers,
pay
telephones and other amenities. Mats designed to make the beach wheelchair accessible
are at this
location. Life Guards rent beach equipment, Hobie Cats,
recumbent bikes, sand trikes, umbrellas, etc.
Parking is available at the town parking lot at the
corner of South Forest Beach Drive and Pope Avenue.
The entrance is on Pope across from the Exxon. It
costs $4.00 for the day ($2.00 after 2:00 PM), with in and out privileges (keep
your receipt). There is also
parking closer to the beach, on Coligny Circle on the
North side, but it fills up quickly. Coligny Plaza, adjacent, offers many shops and eateries.
Please don't park in the Plaza to go to the beach - the merchants don't appreciate it and your
vehicle could be towed.
Though
this beach can become crowded in season, you have only to walk a few hundred
yards North or South to get away from the crowds.
Dreissen beach is also off William Hilton parkway, at Bradley Beach Rd. It has
Life Guards, plenty of parking, rest rooms, sand showers and vending machines.
It has a
playground and a few picnic tables, one with a grill nearby. The boardwalk to
the beach is quite long and requires healthy legs. If you park here, note the
number of your parking space and go to the machine at the building housing the
restrooms to pay. It takes quarters. This beach is
equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
Folly Field beach is located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field
Road. Parking is somewhat
limited (52 spaces at meters at 25¢ per 15 minute period), but restrooms, sand
showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available. While dangerous conditions such as
riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where
swimmers have (rarely) gotten in trouble. This beach also is
equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible. It is the
favorite beach for surfers.
The beach is accessed from the park and is a considerable
walk from it. The beach is on Port Royal Sound with not much wave action, but it
is a little used beach, often deserted, and very wide at low tide. If privacy is your bag,
you might want to check it out.
As the name implies, this beach is intended primarily for locals. Parking is
available only for those who purchase annual permits, which are limited
to Hilton Head property owners. There is
nothing other than that to keep visitors from enjoying this beach park - you can
always have someone drop you off or go by bike. Amenities here include restrooms, changing
rooms, playground,
soft drink machine, sand showers and a few picnic tables. It's located off Folly
Field Road at Sparkleberry Lane (actual address is 94 Folly Field Rd.). This beach also is
equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
To see a great map showing town parks and the
beach parks,
click here. You need Adobe reader and a bit of patience, but it's worth it.
You can click on the magnifying glass on the Adobe toolbar to get details.
Other Beaches, South to North
South Beach
In Sea Pines plantation, at the "toe" of the island near the South
Beach marina, is the Calibogue beach. There is no public parking, so walking or
biking are indicated. There are two characteristics of this beach area that are
of interest : at high tide there is little or no beach; and tidal currents will
move you up or down the beach depending on flow. There are no amenities here. Otherwise, this is a pleasant and uncrowded area
where dolphins and other wildlife abound.
Tower Beach
Tower Beach is located in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. This
beach is intended for use by property owners, and parking is restricted to
property owners, though it is otherwise accessible to anyone
by bicycle or on foot. It
provides restrooms, water fountains, and a picnic area with barbeque grills.
Sea Pines Beach Club
This beach is also in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. It offers
many amenities such as restrooms, food service, a bar, picnic tables, showers, entertainment
and activities for children (seasonal). It is attended by lifeguards and has
some parking, which fills up quickly in season. The Sea Pines trolley provides
transportation to the Beach Club from the Greenwood Drive parking lot, Harbour
Town and other
locations. Parking at this beach is available to anyone staying in Sea Pines.
Crown Plaza Resort
This beach is in Shipyard plantation and is accessible to those staying in
Shipyard. Parking is available at the very end of Shipyard Drive, though it
fills up in the busy season. Visitors to the Crown Plaza can also enjoy this
beach, but consider access through the hotel to be for hotel guests only.
Palmetto Dunes Beach
In the vicinity of the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, this beach is accessible to guests staying
in Palmetto Dunes plantation and can also be enjoyed by visitors to the hotel.
There is a pleasant ocean front bar at the hotel from where the beach can be
admired.
Westin Resort Hotel
This beach is accessible primarily through the hotel, which is limited to
hotel guests. It is only a few hundred feet from the Islander Beach Club (see above).
The beach regulations are posted all along the beach. For the most part they
are logical rules designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for those
using the beach. For example, there are restrictions
regarding playing Frisbee,
flying stunt kites and fishing in "designated swimming
areas" (those listed above) because these are activities that could cause injury to those on a
crowded beach. The regulations are enforced by the lifeguards and sheriff's
deputies.
Four regulations you might not expect are:
No alcoholic beverages are permitted on any part of the beach.
You may not beach a power craft (including wave runners) on any beach ,
and they must be operated more than 150 Yards offshore, for
the protection of swimmers.
You may not walk on the sand dunes, as they are very fragile and are our
protection against storm surge from gales and hurricanes.
You may not remove any living creature from the beach (hermit crabs,
starfish, sand dollars, etc.). What you think is a shell
could be a hermit crab's home.
And, there is something we locals would ask of you: Take nothing but your
memories, leave nothing but your footprints.
Dogs love the beach, but not everyone loves dogs (some
people fear them). Consequently there are rules regarding dogs on the beach. The
rules vary depending on the time of year. Few vacationers bring dogs because
it's difficult to find housing that will accept pets, but if you bring your dog,
make sure you are aware of the restrictions. Above all, pick up after your pet.
Be aware joggers are common on the beach and dogs like to chase them.
For a complete set of rules and regs, click
here.
The lifeguards on Hilton Head get paid based on commissions on rentals of beach chairs, umbrellas, recumbent
beach
bicycles, hobie cats, and water tricycles. You can rent any of these and more
right on the beach. A "set" of two chairs and an umbrella rent for
$27.00 the first day and $16.00 on subsequent days if paid in advance (2003
rates). The company involved is called Shore Beach Services and their
phone number is 843-785-3494. You might want to try some of
the companies that rent bikes, cribs, etc. for chair and umbrella prices.
Several companies rent beach equipment at very competitive prices -
click
here.
Beach Injuries
Click
here for a site with helpful information.
A bike ride down the Atlantic beach
If you bike from the Westin or Islander Beach Park to Land's End in Sea
Pines, you will have traveled about 11 miles one way. You can do this on a beach
bike in an hour and a half with the wind at your back if you don't stop. But, it
will be much more enjoyable if you make some stops and learn about the island
from the beach, even if you don't make the whole trip. Let's take a hypothetical
bike excursion. With the wind at our backs, and a couple of hours before low
tide, we start at:
The Islander Beach Club, at beach marker 110 (11 miles from
marker 1) and head south.
Within a few hundred feet we see a large complex of high rise, brown, wood
buildings. This is Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort, a budget priced tourist
accommodation. There is a bar beachside, and although this is private property
they might not mind serving up a cool one or feeding you. There is entertainment
in season..
At marker 105 (you have now traveled all of a half mile) is
Folly Field Beach Park, described above. Not much to do here unless you need to
use the restrooms. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can
exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble.
Marker 102 is where the Dreissen Beach Park is located
(description above). If you have children with you, they can enjoy the
playground or you can break out the sandwiches and sit at a picnic table.
At marker 98 is Burke's Beach. Not much to do here except watch
people crabbing in the estuarine creeks.
At marker 94A you might want to stop in at Coco's
On the Beach for a cold one.
Marker 82 is the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort in Palmetto
Dunes Plantation. Here is the Point Comfort poolside and beachside bar, and Quinn's
II, a restaurant offering a limited menu of good food at either outdoor tables
or inside in the air conditioning, also with an ocean view.
Disney Resort, the time share at Shelter Cove, has a beachfront facility at
marker 80A just past marker 81.
The next hotel you will see is the Crown Plaza Resort in Shipyard Plantation
at marker 71A, just past marker 72. This hotel has a poolside bar,
but it's located a fairly long walk from the beach through a pavilion used for
group affairs. The bar hours are a mystery to me, but the grounds are quite
attractive.
Now we have a stretch of about a mile before we hit the busiest part of the
beach, starting at mile 61, where the Sea Crest has an ocean front bar
and food service between their two swimming pools.
Immediately past the Sea Crest at marker 59A is Coligny Beach, the
island's most popular, described above. Right next to it is the Holiday Inn's
Tiki Hut, a popular beach bar that offers entertainment afternoons and evenings
in season. The public is always welcome at the Tiki Hut.
Less than a mile further you will see the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort, a high
rise time share. Immediately next to it is the Alder Lane public beach, at
marker 52A. You can get a soft drink from a vending machine there or
use the restrooms, because the next segment is a mile and a half
away.
At marker 38 is the popular Sea Pines Beach Club, described above.
Here you can stop for a drink, a burger, and to listen to some entertainment.
The next mile and a half is my favorite stretch of beach. It's very wide and
lined with impressive mansions. Wildlife is ever present - Ospreys diving for
their catch, Dolphins rising to breathe or slapping the water with their tails
to stun fish, and entertaining Pelicans doing their ungainly crash dives. At
marker 13 is Tower Beach. Not much reason to stop here unless you need to
use the restrooms.
The next mile or so takes you around the "toe" of Hilton Head, a
turn toward the West. The beach here is Calibogue Sound beach, and it also teems
with wildlife. If the timing is right, you might see a great sunset here. The
beach ends at a breakwater that slows the migration of sand into the mouth of
Braddock Cove, the entrance to the South Beach marina. In the distance you can
see the Harbour Town lighthouse, and on your right is Land's End, a South
Beach community.
That's the end of our hypothetical trip. Since Sea Pines plantation is
private, and, since going from the beach inland is technically trespassing, we might
want to double back to where we can legally get back to the street. To do this
you need to go back beyond the Sea Pines Beach Club, perhaps to Alder Lane at
marker 53. I certainly would not advocate trespassing and bringing the bikes in
at marker 4, where the catamarans and other boats are beached
if you are not staying in the plantation. By now the tide
is coming in and we can ride back along the leisure trails, where the wind is
much less noticeable.
¹ All beaches on Hilton Head are public. "Public access" means
you can get to the beach without entering private property. If
you are staying in a plantation, you are welcome to access the beach from their
property. If you are not staying in a plantation, you can still use the beach
adjacent to the plantation as long as you get to it by walking or biking along
the beach. Yes, it's a silly distinction.
|
What luck for rulers
that men do not think
Often
attributed to
Adolph Hitler |
This page Updated
05/12/2013