1. Coligny Beach Park

Coligny Beach is fairly centralized on the Atlantic Coast of the island.

This beach is perfect for a romantic stroll beside the water with plenty of room for privacy since it’s a nice and wide beach.

You can hang out at the beach or stay cool in the shade in one of the pavilions they have at the beach entrance area.  They also have benches and swings to relax on.

There is plenty of free parking across the street from the beach and even bike racks to lock up your bike if you’re riding around the island.

The beach has lifeguards and beach rentals during the busier season.

Coligny Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area and my favorite beach in Hilton Head Island.  There are lots of things to do nearby.

Island Life Bike Rentals is just steps away from the beach and you can rent not only bikes here, but beach chairs and umbrellas, as well.

Coligny Beach Park Amenities

Walking and Biking paths

Bike Racks

Free Wi-Fi

Swings and Chairs

Beach-Equipment Rentals

Changing Rooms

Restrooms

Shaded Gazebos

Lifeguards (In Season)

Wheelchair Accessible

Coligny Beach Park

1 N Forest Beach, Hilton Head, SC 29928

2. Burkes Beach 

There are several beaches on the northeastern edge of the island.

Burkes Beach is sandwiched between Singleton Beach, Bradley Beach, and Folly Field Beach.

It’s just across the street and a little north of the Shelter Cove Town Centre.

There is a free parking lot that’s about a 5-minute walk from the beach and a playground at nearby Chaplin Community Park.

Chaplin Community Park also has a dog park, hiking trails, tennis court, basketball court, bathrooms, and showers.

You can also have a picnic at one of the shaded gazebos in the park.

With the paved trails and pathways close to the beach and park, it’s popular to ride bikes on Burkes Beach.

There are some great scenery and views of nature on the walk to Burkes Beach.

Burkes Beach is a nice and quiet place to go to.  The beach is free, too.

Burkes Beach Amenities

Meter Parking

Outdoor Showers

Restrooms

Walking and Biking Trails

Park Area Nearby

Shaded Pavilions At Park

Pet-Friendly

Burkes Beach

60 Burkes Beach Rd, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

3. Mitchelville Beach Park 

Mitchelville Beach, also known as Fish Haul Beach Park, is at the northern end of the Hilton Head Island.

If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded spot with your partner and away from the crowds on the island, then Mitchelville Beach is a great option!

This beach has a different look than the other beaches on the island.

It’s relatively undisturbed and the large rocks along part of the shore give it a more rugged feel.

Also, there are no concession stands or lifeguards here.

Mitchelville Beach is popular for hiking and kayaking.  People will oftentimes come and fish right from the shore here.

It’s said that a good time to come here is during low tide, to collect shells and find some hermit crabs.

The beach is free and there are a free parking lot and bathrooms not too far away from the water.

Mitchelville Beach Park Amenities

Restrooms

Outdoor Shower

Picnic Tables

Observation Deck

Hiking and Walking Trails

Mitchelville Beach Park

120 Mitchelville Rd, Hilton Head, SC, 29926

Other Beaches In Hilton Head

4. Folly Field Beach 

Folly Field Beach is north of Burkes beach on the Atlantic side of the island and next to Port Royal.

There are seasonal lifeguards here.  You can rent chairs and umbrellas during busier months.

The beach is free but there is a small charge for the metered parking.

Folly Field Beach Amenities

Restrooms

Sand Showers

Vending Machine

Water Fountains

Wheelchair Accessible

Folly Field Beach

55 Starfish Drive, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

5. Driessen Beach Park

Right next to Burkes Beach is Driessen Beach Park.

This stretch of sand is great for picnics since there are picnic areas and grills.

There are seasonal lifeguards here and a playground, too.  Like Folly Field Beach, Driessen Beach Park is free to visit, but there’s a small fee for parking.

Driessen Beach Park Amenities

Wheelchair Accessible

Boardwalk

Grill

Meter Parking

Outdoor Showers

Picnic Pavilion

Playground

Restrooms

Seasonal Beach Rentals

Seasonal Life Guards

Driessen Beach Park

64 Bradley Beach Road, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

6. Harbour Town 

Harbour Town is one of the biggest attractions on the island.  Full of waterfront shops and restaurants, this place is certainly worth visiting.

Restaurants include The Crazy Crab and Harbourside where you can grab some food right on the water.

Or you can get a coffee and snack nearby at Harbour Town Bakery & Cafe.

The shops here include jewelry stores, crafts and art shops, and clothing stores.

There is the Lowcountry Farmers’ Market every Tuesday selling fresh food, snacks and treats, art, and crafts.  This happens from April to November.

While at Harbour Town, go to the top of the lighthouse and see the spectacular views of the area, such as beautiful Daufuskie Island off in the distance.

Harbourtown Lighthouse is also a museum and is filled with artifacts.  It’s a great place to learn about the history of the area.

There’s a little shop at the bottom of the lighthouse and also a shop at the top!  There is a small fee to go to the top of the lighthouse.

Right next to the lighthouse is the Harbour Town Pier, where you can walk out and enjoy the scenery and maybe even see some birds and other wildlife.

They have paddleboards and other water equipment rentals right at the pier.

You can go on one of the dolphin sighting and adventure cruises that leave out of the area.

Or you can go on a dinner cruise or even a deep-sea fishing trip.

In the summers, this area is a great place to go for live entertainment!

They have concerts and entertainment at the stage, which is right by the water and across from the shops.

There’s a nice, kids’ playground nearby to keep the little ones occupied, too. 

Harbour Town is located in Sea Pines, which is a resort community within Hilton Head Island.

It costs $9 (cash only) to get into Sea Pines but it’s worth the fee with all the different things you can do there.

They also have passes for longer stays.

Harbour Town

149 Lighthouse Road

7. Daufuskie Island

While in the area, go with your partner to Daufuskie Island!  You can only get here by boat or ferry.  It’s about a 20-minute trip from Hilton Head Island.

Daufuskie Island is an untouched slice of South Carolina between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia, with a population of just around 400 people.  The island is about 5 miles long and known for its nature preserves and art galleries.

This island is a beautiful coastal gem with miles of pristine beaches, a charming community, and historic landmarks to explore.

Looking for a tour to Daufuskie Island?  Check out round-trip tickets here!

8. Rent Kayaks Or Paddleboards

Hilton Head Island is filled with salt marshes, creeks, and tidal rivers, and is perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding with your loved one!

Spend the day exploring and learning about the area and spot wildlife such as dolphins, birds, and other species.

You can rent kayaks at Harbor Town or do a guided tour out of Hilton Head Harbor.

9. Coligny Plaza and Beach Market Shops 

After you’re done relaxing in the sun at Coligny Beach, there are many great places nearby, to go to eat, drink, and shop.

Beach Market and Coligny Plaza are right across the street from Coligny Beach, with souvenir shops, restaurants, ice cream, and coffee shops.

You can get food and drinks, and listen to live music at Tiki Hut.  They have the only bar on the beach in Hilton Head and have live music every day of the year.

The Tiki Hut usually has beach volleyball but this is currently closed.

If you’re in the mood to catch a flick, you can go to the Coligny Theatre, which features mostly independent and older films.

Coligny Plaza

1 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head, SC 29928

10. South Beach Marina Village 

A highly recommended spot to visit while you’re in the Sea Pines area of Hilton Head is South Beach Marina Village. 

This quaint village is at the southwestern tip of Hilton Head and has several shops and restaurants, including The Salty Dog Cafe and Land’s End Tavern.

The Salty Dog has indoor and outdoor seating.  They have a big outdoor dining area and a nice, open-air bar, too.

They also offer vacation rentals and water sport here.

There are plenty of amenities here, so you don’t even have to leave the area if you’re staying nearby.

The village has the General Store to get your everyday items, a bait and tackle shop, boutique and gift shops, and clothing stores.

South Beach Marina Village is a good place to take your partner and even the whole family.

They have plenty of entertainment for the kids in the summer, including kids’ music, pictures with the Salty Dog, and face painting.

Both the village and Harbour Town have their own racquet club.

The Salty Dog Cafe has some nice outdoor views from the patio.

South Beach Marina Village

232 S. Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

11. Shelter Cove Town Centre

Located near the middle of the island, Shelter Cove Town Centre is a fun place to visit for its wide variety of chain stores, shops, and restaurants.

To the west of all the stores and restaurants is the Shelter Cove Community Park.

The waterfront park has several events throughout the year such as live musical performances and fireworks.

The park has a promenade, performance pavilion, walking paths, a playground, picnic areas, and views of the water.

Just remember when walking near fresh lakes and bodies of water in Hilton Head, that it’s possible to see large creatures nearby!  If you look closely at this picture, you can see an alligator.

Shelter Cove Town Centre

40 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

12. Oceanfront Dining 

Directly across from Harbour Town on the opposite side of the island is the Sea Pines Beach Club.

If you’re looking for a great place to eat in the Sea Pines resort area, then Coast is a nice option.

This Beach Club restaurant is known for its fresh-caught seafood and being right on the beach.

Dine inside or grab some food outside while taking in the ocean views.

There’s also an outdoor bar to have your favorite drinks at, and during the busy season, you can enjoy some live entertainment.

The Beach Club is part of the Sea Pines Resort and offers vacation rentals, weddings, meetings, golfing, tennis, events, and many other things.

Coast Oceanfront Dining

87 N Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head, SC 29928

Phone 843-842-1888

Other Hilton Head restaurants include Kenny B’s, Hudson’s Seafood On The Docks, and Skull Creek Boathouse.

If you’re looking for more great food on the island, check out these 15 Hilton Head Restaurants To Try!

13. Ride Bike On The Trails 

If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your partner in Hilton Head, consider renting bikes and riding on the trails!

At almost every turn on Hilton Head, there are people riding bikes on the many bike trails on the island.

Hilton Head has 56 miles of bike trails on the island.  The paths here are in good condition and maintained well.

There are several places to rent bikes on the island, including Coligny Beach Park.

Many of Hilton Head’s beaches are packed down and nice to ride bikes on.

If you’re looking to get around the island in style, consider renting one of the electric bike beach cruisers as seen below!

Hilton Head provides maps of the bike trails and posts them at kiosks on pathways and at several bike rental shops.

You can get the map here, too.

14. Play A Round At One Of Hilton Head’s Golf Courses

With popular courses that are on the PGA tour, Hilton Head is known as one of the top places in the world to play golf.

Play at one of the 23 courses here.   The island offers both traditional and oceanfront courses.

For some of the best golf courses in Hilton Head, go here.

15. Coastal Discovery Museum 

If you’re looking to learn some history about the area and about the wildlife here, the Coastal Discovery Museum is a wonderful place to go.

The Coastal Discovery Museum has several exhibits that answer your questions about the island and offers guided tours of the area.

They also have farmers’ markets here and have events such as weddings and corporate events, also.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is free of charge.

After visiting the museum, you can walk out to the boardwalks and explore the almost 70 acres of marshes and nature on the property!

Coastal Discovery Museum

70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928

Phone 843-689-6767

16. Bluffton

Bluffton calls itself the “Heart of the Lowcountry” and is a city with lots of history and is just a short drive from Hilton Head Island.

The quaint downtown known as Old Town offers plenty of great restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities near the May River.

There’s also an active art community with galleries scattered throughout the town.

Come see what makes Bluffton such an amazing place to live or visit!

With plenty of things to do year-round, there’s always something new around every corner in this charming Lowcountry town.

17. Fishing/Dolphin Watching Tour

If you’re looking to get out on the water while in Hilton Head Island, then try a fishing and dolphin watching tour!

Hilton Head Island is surrounded by great fishing spots including the Atlantic Ocean, Calibogue Sound, Port Royal Sound, and Intracoastal Waterway.

Common fish to catch in the area are Grouper, Mackerel, Amberjack, and Cobia.

18. Sea Pines Forest Preserve 

We all know that Hilton Head is a beautiful place with great beaches and golf courses, but it’s also an awesome place to see nature.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve includes walking trails through marshes and forests, boat tours on protected waterways to see wildlife habitats, and old archaeological sites.

The preserve has 600+ acres of maritime forest habitat and marshland along the coastline near Hilton Head Island South Carolina.

It’s an incredible place where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy some time in the outdoors with your loved one!

Sea Pines Forest Preserve

175 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

19. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge is about 1,200 acres and has different things you can do in this outdoor area.

There are three other islands as part of the refuge, but Pinckney is the only one that allows the public.

You can hike or ride a bike on the trails, observe and take pictures of nature and wildlife, and go saltwater fishing, or hunting in season.

Some of the wildlife here includes alligators, several kinds of birds, deer, and turtles.

The refuge is free to go to and parking is free.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

694 Beech Hill Lane, Hardeeville, SC, 29927

Phone 843-784-2468

20. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is a performing arts theater that hosts musicians, comedians, dramas, puppeteers, artists, ballet, and more.

They are a non-profit organization that offers world-class performing arts, visual arts exhibitions, cultural festivals, and educational outreach programs.

The Arts Center provides professional theatre productions of the highest quality with an emphasis on new works by American playwrights.

Its mission is to support artists through education opportunities and encourage all people to experience art as a vital part of their lives.

They offer diverse cultural events throughout the region so everyone may have access to high-quality artistic experiences, as well as enrich the community by providing unique performances that showcase local talent and attract regional interest.

This isn’t just local performers performing here, there are also big names that come to the arts center and Tony Award-Winning Plays, as well.

The venue also has workshops and internships, and allows school field trips.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Phone 843-842-2787