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:
Hilton Head Island considers the six-month period from April 1 through September 30 to be the official "beach season."
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
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.
"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.
According to the town's Website, the following are PROHIBITED on all Hilton Head Island public beaches.
More information is available at the town's Website here.
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.
Boating services are often seasonal, and business come and go, but we try to keep the list current.
Barhopper near-shore excursions, 671-2704
Boat charters, 671-2628
Charter 32' Hero or Echo, 671-2704
Outside Hilton Head, 686-6996
Private charter boat, the Manatee, 671-2704
Capt. Dick's Dolphin Watch, 524-4422
Dolphin Discoveries, 684-1911
Dolphin SeaFari, 785-7131
Dolphin Watch Cruises, 785-4558
Dolphin Watch on Gypsy, South Beach, 363-2900
Gypsy, South Beach, 363-2900
Island Explorer, 785-2100
Low Country Nature Tours, 683-0187
Nature kayak nature tours, 842-1979
Outside Hilton Head, 686-6996
Sonny-C Charters, Pelican & Island Queen, 681-2522
Stars & Strips sailing, 363-9446
Vagabond dolphin cruises, 363-9023
Commander Zodiac nature tours, 671--3344
Dinner, specialty cruises, 642-7179
Spirit of Harbour Town, 363-9026
Integrity Charters, certified master, 422-1221
C-Katz Watersportz, Yamaha Jet Skis, 681-9008
Commander Zodiac nature tours, 671--3344
Electric Motor Kayaking, 699-5331
Kayak Hilton Head, 684-1910
Harbour Town kayak rental, 671-4386
Outside Hilton Head, 686-6996
Palmetto Bay Water Sports, 785-2345
Palmetto Bay Parasailing, 785-7131
Sky Pirate, 842-2566
Flying Circus Sailing Charters, 686-2582
Harbour Town Power Boats, 363-2628
Island Water Sports, 671-7007
Parasailing, waver runners, etc, 67`1-4386
Screamin' speed boat rides, 689-3337
Powerboats at Harbour Town, 671-4386
Paul Hana & Flying Circus, 686-2582
Sail charters by Let's Go, 671-4386
Stars & Strips sailing, Vagabond Cruise, 363-9446
Stiletto 30' Catamaran, 671-4386
Sail Sumo trimaran, 672-4386
Old Savannah Tours, 800-517-9007
Savannah aboard Spirit of Harbour Town, 363-9026
Bonnie Rae Charters sport fishing, 706-2181
Blue Water Bait, Tackle & Charters, 671-3060
Bulldog Fishing Charters, 422-0887
Capt. Hook Deep Sea Fishing, 785-1700
Drifter Deep Sea Fishing, 363-2900
Fishin' Coach Charters, 757-2126
Boomerang fishing charters, South Beach, 671-3060
Izzy-A Sea Cat, Fishing charter, 23', 671-2704
Live Oak, Family Shark Fishing, 888-254-8362
Moneric Fishing Charters, 816-0215
Outside Hilton Head, 686-6996
Polecat Sport fishing, 384-5186
Pristine Charters, 290-1187
Runaway Carolina Sport fisher, 384-6511
Shark Fishing on Drifter, South Beach 363-2900
Shark Hunters, Nautical Therapy, 683-8687
Stray Cat Charters, 683-5427
Triple Threat, fastest fishing charter, 689-3337
Offshore sport fishing, 671-4534
Island Water Sports, 671-7007
Palmetto Bay Water Sports , 785-2345
Commander Zodiac , 671-3433
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