Hilton Head Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
This South Carolina barrier island attracts visitors for its laid-back atmosphere and activities, including beachcombing, golf, nature hikes and fine dining.

Hilton Head, or Hilton Head Island, is a barrier island resort on the Atlantic coast of the USA. The island’s sandy beaches cover over 12 miles (19 kilometers). Many say these are among the most attractive resort beaches in the country. Sports are a big part of life in Hilton Head and there is wildlife to be seen too, including dolphins and alligators. Rent a bike and travel between the beaches and other attractions by making use of the 50 miles (80 kilometers) of bicycle trails.Golfers will appreciate the resort’s large number of courses. George Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort is a championship course open to the public. You’ll find numerous tennis clubs, as well. The Sea Pines Racquet Club at the Sea Pines Resort is managed by former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Stan Smith. Go to Audubon Newhall Preserve to see snowy egrets, ospreys and other birdlife. Cross over to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge between the north shore and the mainland. While here, look for the white-tailed deer and alligators. Go horseback riding through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, or join a bottlenose dolphin cruise from the marina. Hilton Head has an interesting cultural history, which you can explore at the Coastal Discovery Museum. This site has some of the island’s oldest buildings and a Southern red cedar tree dated from 1595. Find work by local artists and photographers in the Greer Gallery at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Don’t miss out on a night of live music. Hear the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra at the First Presbyterian Church, or head to the Jazz Corner, a venue that has hosted well-known musicians, including Freddy Cole and the George Shearing Quintet.Locally caught seafood is a specialty of Hilton Head’s culinary scene, which includes more than 250 dining establishments. Sample traditional dishes, including shrimp gumbo and sweet creek shrimp cooked in beer. The love of food and drink is celebrated at the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival and annual Chili Cookoff.

Where to stay in Hilton Head

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Sea Pines

While visiting Sea Pines, you might make a stop by sights like Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Harbour Town Golf Links.

Sea Pines
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South Forest Beach

If you're spending some time in South Forest Beach, Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Coligny Beach are top sights worth seeing.

South Forest Beach
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North Forest Beach

If you're spending some time in North Forest Beach, Coligny Beach and Coligny Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

North Forest Beach
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Oceanside

If you're spending some time in Oceanside, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and South Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Oceanside
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South Beach

If you're spending some time in South Beach, South Beach and Tybee Roads are top sights worth seeing.

South Beach
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Harbour Town

If you're spending some time in Harbour Town, Harbour Town Lighthouse and Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground are top sights worth seeing.

Harbour Town
Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
4.5 out of 5
1 Hotel Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC
The price is NZ$357 per night from 20 May to 21 May
NZ$357
per night
20 May - 21 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,065 reviews)
"Very cool to have multiple pools and whirlpools"

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
4 out of 5
130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC
The price is NZ$596 per night from 16 May to 17 May
NZ$596
per night
16 May - 17 May
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Great venue! The view from our room was gorgeous. The staff was friendly and gave excellent recommendations for local places. The bar and lounge at the Sonesta was fantastic and the bartender provided friendly service and made great cocktails."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Beach House Resort Hilton Head
Beach House Resort Hilton Head
3 out of 5
1 South Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC
The price is NZ$387 per night from 21 May to 22 May
NZ$387
per night
21 May - 22 May
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
Under construction
"We have stayed here before and we’re looking forward to our stay for the evening. When we arrived we were not informed that the hotel was under renovation. The pool and tiki bar were shut down . We did spend a few hours at the beach and they had music in the hotel lounge that evening which was nice ..."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Beach House Resort Hilton Head
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera
Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera
3.5 out of 5
66 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC
Stay at this 3.5-star golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (510 reviews)
"Nice pool and the room was very nice and clean. Receptionist lady of color didn’t get her name but when we checked in she had zero personality and thought I was checking into a prison. She shouldn’t be working in customer service."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera
14 Laughing Gull - FRIDAY TO FRIDAY BOOKINGS! SEA PINES LUXURY OCEANFRONT!
14 Laughing Gull - FRIDAY TO FRIDAY BOOKINGS! SEA PINES LUXURY OCEANFRONT!
Hilton Head Island
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Coligny Plaza and Coligny ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Great house and location.
"The house was great and perfect for multiple families. There were a few small hiccups such as trash pick not happening the day it was supposed to so it still had the other guest’s trash and we ran out of room for ours but the response was almost immediate and the trash was picked up within less than ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2023

14 Laughing Gull - FRIDAY TO FRIDAY BOOKINGS! SEA PINES LUXURY OCEANFRONT!
Island Links Resort by Palmera
Island Links Resort by Palmera
3 out of 5
1 Coggins Point Road, Hilton Head Island, SC
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Palmetto Dunes Club and Coligny ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (226 reviews)
"Alligator near the pool is a great attraction"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Island Links Resort by Palmera
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities