While Hilton Head Island seems dominated by the massive, gated "plantations," town leaders have made a special effort to ensure that beach access is available for residents and visitors not staying on plantations.

But in accessing the island's seven beaches you need to remember two things:

1. By law beaches are available for public use between the ocean and the high water mark; and
2. Property above the high water mark is Sea Pines' iconic lighthouse at Harbour Townusually private property, which means you will be trespassing if you cross onto it.

Hilton Head Island considers the six-month period from April 1 through September 30 to be the official "beach season."

Public beaches and parks

For public use, the town has developed the following beaches and nearby parking. Alder Lane Beach Access, off South Forest Beach Dr, 23 metered parking spaces

• Adler Lane Beach Access, off of South Forest Beach Dr
• Burkes Beach Access, at the end of Burkes Beach Rd, 13 metered spaces
• Chaplin Community Park, off William Hilton Pkwy
• Coligny Beach Park, off Coligny Cr, parking is free
• Driessen Beach Park, at the end of Bradley Beach Rd, 207 spaces reserved for annual beach passes from 8 am to 3 pm
• Fish Haul Park, at the end of Beach City Rd, parking is free
• Folly Field Beach Park, off Folly Field Rd, 54 metered spaces
• Islanders Beach Park, off Folly Field Rd, spaces always reserved for annual beach passes
• Mitchelville Beach Park, off Beach City Rd, parking is free

Beaches have marked spaces and are governed by parking meters, which require a quarter for each quarter hour. Regulations vary among beach parking areas, and are posted in each area. For details check the town Website here.

Handicap parking is available at no charge at all beach parks.

Swimming at the beaches

"Official swimming areas" have been designated for the Alder, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field and Islanders beaches. The boundaries of these areas are marked on the beach and in the water.

During the beach season — April 1 through September 30 — "lifeguards are stationed in each of the designated swimming areas and other heavily populated beach areas for assistance and beach information." When a "yellow caution flag" is displayed at these beaches, lifeguards control access to the water, so ask before you go in.

Beach rules

According to the town's Website, the following are PROHIBITED on all Hilton Head Island public beaches.

• Alcoholic liquor, beer, wine
• Glass (bottles, containers, etc.)
• Littering
• Indecent exposure (nudity)
• Disorderly conduct
• Disturbing the peace
• Unauthorized vehicles
• Fires and Fireworks
• Shark Fishing
• Removal, harming, or harassment of any live beach fauna (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
• Removal, alteration, or damage to dunes, sea oats, or other dune flora
• Operation, launching, or landing of unauthorized motorized watercraft
• Unauthorized commercial activity
• Sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Unauthorized wearing of lifeguard emblems, insignias, etc.
• Solicitation or distribution of handouts
• Kites not under manual control
• Stunt kites 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. April 1 through September 30
• Sand-sailing

More information is available at the town's Website here.

Potential beach prohibitions

After the end of the 2016 tourist season, the Town Council Finance and Administrative Committee held hearing about the appropriateness of limiting, or outright banning, the use of large beach umbrellas, tents and other canopies on public beaches.

Some local residents consider the construction unsightly at best, and at worst dangerous and costly to remove when abandoned by their owners.

During the hearing, the Shore Services director said that his staff cleans up 20 to 50 abandoned canopies left behind each week during the high tourist season.