Hilton Head Recreation & Attractions
Nature | Golf | Beaches | Healthcare | Climate | Restaurants | Tennis | Water sports

NATURE

If you are interesting in seeing the nature and wildlife of Hilton Head, SC, for yourself, then you'll want to preview the many Ecotours available for our pristine area. Few places can compete with our island for nature lovers. Wildlife abounds on land, in lagoons and in the ocean.

See also the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

Horseback Riding

Alligators

Perhaps our best known wildlife is the alligator. They are cold-blooded, so they rely on their environment to survive. In cooler weather, you will see them lying on the banks in the sun to raise their body temperature. In warm weather, they generally stay in the water to keep cool. Our gators can grow to about 12 feet in length, and, though, not normally aggressive toward humans, can be dangerous. An alligator can outrun a horse for a limited distance, so while he may look slow and dull, remember he can run as fast as you can. Feeding alligators is illegal, for if an alligator sees humans as a source of food, it will be more likely to approach humans. This can be deadly to humans and is most certainly deadly to the alligator, as they must be removed (killed) to prevent serious mishaps.

Dolphins and Dolphin Tours

The kind we have are mammals, not fish. They breathe air, bear live young, suckle their babies and are warm-blooded. They can swim up to 45 mph and can grow to 12 feet in length. We have an abundance of dolphin around the waters of Hilton Head, with about 200 of them being permanent residents.

Birds and Bird watching

To help identify shore birds from inland birds, in general, shore birds have long legs because they feed by wading in the water. Among those birds are the brown pelicans, the cattle egret, the wood stork, the ibis, the small piping plover, sanderlings and sandpipers, the great white egret, the snowy egret and the great blue herons are graceful and delicate. The cormorants, black skimmer osprey (which looks much like an eagle) and the gull are other types of shore birds. Our inland birds are much the same as elsewhere. Those include the migratory visitors such as the finches, warblers and hummingbirds. Our songbirds are the cardinal, sparrow, chickadee, woodpecker, wren, sparrow, mockingbird and tufted titmouse.

Snakes, Lizards & Salamanders

There are many species of snakes in our state and Hilton Head has its share of poisonous ones, including the coral snake, cottonmouth, rattle snake and copperhead. The harmless lizard, chameleons, anoles and salamanders are fun to watch and eat nuisance insects.

Turtles, Toads, Frogs, Deer & Wildlife

Those turtles sunning themselves on the lagoon banks are diamondback terrapins. To determine the age count the rings on the diamonds on its shell. The loggerhead is a sea turtle and they grow up to four feet in length and can weigh in at 400 pounds. They are protected by federal law as an endangered species.

Other animals with whom we gladly share our island are salamanders, lizards, chameleons, the little green anoles and skinks. We also have our share of snakes, some of whom are poisonous, including the coral snake, cottonmouth, rattle snake and copperhead.

Call them peepers or croakers, these little guys are amazing. We have the bigger, louder toads who jump with amazing grace and tree frogs that stick to your arms!

We have a healthy deer population on the island and if you drive at dusk, drive with caution. Deer travel in groups and tend to panic and act irrationally when frightened.

Little Sea Creatures AKA Crustaceans

Shrimp and crabs are the most common. Crabs might be of several varieties, including ghost crabs, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, stone crabs and horseshoe crabs. The shrimp caught off the waters on Hilton Head are brown, pink and white.

Trees

The trees that look like palms are our state tree, the palmetto. Their seeds are berry-like, not coconuts or dates. Our pines are mostly loblolly and pond pines. The Spanish moss that you see collecting in the oak trees is not moss at all it is not parasitic but it is a host to chiggers.

Interested in a garden tour? Check out Heritage Farm of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

ISLAND BEACHES

Hilton Head Island offers about 14 miles of beach. They slope very gradually in most areas and you can go out a long way from shore and still be able to stand with your head above water (but be aware that tidal currents produce deep holes, so take heed). Because of this slope, wave action is inhibited. It also means that when the tide is high, there is still a good amount of beach to for running, sunning, riding and building sand castles.

There are six public accesses, five of which are attended by life guards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Pay parking is available at all but the Islander's Beach Park. These beaches include:

Adler Lane in South Forest Beach (meter parking and wheelchair accessible).

Coligny Beach, located at Coligny Circle. It is the island's busiest beach and has volleyball nets, an outdoor bar, restrooms, changing rooms, water fountains, sand showers and other amenities. It is also wheelchair accessible. Pay parking is available.

Burke's Beach is located off William Hilton Parkway at Burke's Beach Road. It has limited parking and there are no amenities and no lifeguards.

Driessen Beach (Singleton Beach)

This beach is also off William Hilton Parkway. It has lifeguards, plenty of parking, rest rooms, sand showers and vending machines, as well as a playground, picnic tables and a grill. It is also wheelchair accessible.

Folly Field Beach

Located on Starfish Road, parking is somewhat limited, but restrooms, sand showers, lifeguards and water fountains are available. It is wheelchair accessible.

Islander's Beach Club

This is intended primarily for locals. Parking is available for those who purchase annual permits, which are limited to Island property owners. Amenities include restrooms, changing rooms, playground, soft drink machine, sand showers and picnic tables. It is wheelchair accessible.

Other beaches include South Beach, Tower Beach and Sea Pines Club, all located within Sea Pines Plantation. There is also the Crown Plaza Resort, Palmetto Dunes Beach and the Westin Resort Hotel beach.

HILTON HEAD WEATHER

Hilton Head's average max temperature is 75.5, average minimum temperature is 55.9, the average total precipitation is 52.08 and the last snowfall is in December 1990 ideal weather for enjoying the outdoors.

EDUCATION

For childcare and preschool, the island offers private programs such as Montessori and church-affiliated pre-schools as well as public education.

Public schools on the island are within the Beaufort County School District, which is among the 500 largest school districts in the nation. It consists of a student population of approximately 18,000 from per-K to 12th, enrolled at 17 elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools. About 90% of the county's school-age population is enrolled in the district. More than 55% of the district's teachers hold advanced degrees of specialist teaching certificates.

Two Hilton Head schools are private academies that educate children from grades 1 - 12, Hilton Head Christian Academy and Hilton Head Preparatory School. St. Francis Catholic School educated students from grades K - 8, the Heritage Academy accepts students ages 1 - 19 and Sea Pines Montessori educates students from 18 months through sixth grade.

GOLF

Named on of the country's best places to golf by Golf Digest, each course offers spectacular scenery and challenging course design. Each of the 15 courses is fashioned by some of golf's best known architects and Hilton Head Island golf courses are know world-over as the world's best golf resort destinations. More Golf Info.

The Island's sunny skies, lush green fairways and sub-tropical climate make it a year-round golf destination. All of the island's public, resort and private clubs offer both group and individual lessons from certified golf-instruction professionals.

TENNIS

Our mild climate allows visitors to enjoy tennis year-round. With over 350 courts in all three Grand Slam surfaces, even grass, it is no wonder that Hilton Head has some of the top-rated tennis facilities and programs in the country.

WATERSPORTS

The waters surrounding Hilton Head are some of the most pristine and beautiful found anywhere in the world. Enjoy recreational activities both above and below the water's surface from parasailing, diving, snorkeling, waterskiing, jet skiing, windsurfing and surfing. Or take a personal watercraft for a tour around the island, kayak the creeks and sounds or parasail above Calibogue Sound.

THEATRE

Enjoy a night out at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, a milti-million-dollar fine arts facility which show cases some of the country's most renowned visual and performing artists throughout the year. Take in an afternoon or night of broadway-style theater, pop, jazz, classical concerts, children's events and gallery exhibitions.

HEALTHCARE

Hilton Head Hospital is our local hospital. There is an emergency room available and they are able to treat most conditions, including open heart surgery. Hilton Head Hospital was recently chosen as one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for outcomes of treatment and management of stroke by HICA-SACHS.

DINING OUT

Hilton Head Island offers more than 250 restaurants, from casual to elegant, seafood, Italian, French, Greek and everything in between. From five star formal restaurants to fast food, every budget and every taste can be easily catered to.