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. There are six "public access" beach areas popular with visitors (five 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).
Alder Lane - The southern most of these is located beside the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort on South Forest Beach Rd. at Alder Lane. There is parking across South Forest Beach Road at the meters. 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.
Coligny Beach - 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. The town has recently added mats designed to make the beach wheelchair accessible at this location. Life Guards rent beach equipment, Hobie Cats, recumbent bikes, sand-trikes, umbrellas, etc.
Parking is available at the town parking lot behind the Smokehouse restaurant. 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. Parking in the Plaza is a no-no 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.
Burke's Beach - located off William Hilton parkway (278 Bus.) at Burke's Beach Rd. The parking is very limited, and there are no amenities and no life guards.
Dreissen Beach Park (Singleton Beach) - Dreissen beach is also off William Hilton parkway, at Bradley Beach Road. 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 - Located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field Road. Parking is somewhat limited (approximately 52 spaces). Restrooms, sand showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available. This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible. It is the favorite beach for surfers.
Fish Haul Creek Park (Mitchelville Beach Park) - This is not usually considered a beach park because the beach is on Port Royal Sound, but, although the walk from parking to beach is considerable, there is access to a little used beach. If privacy is your bag, you might want to check it out.
Islander's Beach Club - 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 Road). This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
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. 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.
.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.
Relaxing on our beautiful seashore -- it's just the best! When you are ready to gather up-to-the-minute real estate information on the 'best buys by the beach' -- let me know.
-Yvonne Broadhurst, The Waterfront Broker ®
