Leslie Ford

Hilton Head Island Recreation Activities

Hilton Head Island offers so many exciting things to do during your South Carolina beach vacation. From golfing, dining, and shopping to kayaking; parasailing, jet-skiing and fishing to sunset boat cruises; bike rides along the beach and even a little surfing, vacations in South Carolina may be packed full of activities. Or you may wish to take advantage of historic tours in Savannah, Beaufort, and Charleston. One thing is certain, you are sure to keep busy on this true vacation playground.

 

Golf Courses

There are currently 24 Golf Courses located on Hilton Head Island and 22 Golf Courses located nearby off-Island. In addition there are Miniature Golf Courses and Golf Schools.

 

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Hilton Head Beaches

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.

Along the beach you will see numbered markers which have been put in place to help identify the location to emergency responders. The numbers start at "one" on the Calibogue beach at Lands End in Sea Pines plantation and increment by one every tenth of a mile as you go North or East. Numbers ending in "A" "B" or "C" designate a location between the two numbers on either side and are not indicative of miles.

The beaches slope very gradually in most areas. You can go out a long way from shore and still be able to stand with your head above water (there are some places where tidal currents produce deep holes, so be careful). This gradual slope inhibits wave action, so Hilton Head is not a place to surfboard unless you are just learning. It also means the tides have a very significant effect on the width of the beach. When the tide is high, there is still a good beach from approximately  beach marker 80A to Tower Beach in Sea Pines, at beach marker 13 and even as far as marker 8, and also from marker 102 to 111A. Depending on how high the tide is and when the last beach renourishment took place, other locations may prove unusable at high tide.

The sand below the mid tide line is usually hard packed enough to support a bicycle with wide tires, and biking on the beach at or near low tide is a popular pastime (you should be warned that hitting a patch of soft sand will bring you to a very sudden stop). Beach bikers have learned to check the wind direction before heading out  -  riding into the wind is like riding uphill, and vice versa.

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 Ln. There is parking across South Forest Beach Rd at the meters for 25¢ for 15 minutes. 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. It's accessible from Pope Avenue across from the Exxon station, and costs $4.00 for the day ($2.00 after 2:00 PM), with in and out privileges (keep your receipt).  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.  Please don't park in the Plaza 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
Burke's Beach is 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. There's not much reason to go there.
Dreissen Beach Park (Singleton Beach)
Dreissen beach is also off William Hilton parkway, at Bradley Beach Rd. 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
Folly Field beach is located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field Road. Parking is somewhat limited (52 spaces at meters at 25¢ per 15 minute period), but restrooms, sand showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble. 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 Rd.). This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
To see a great map showing town parks and the beach parks, click here. You need Adobe reader and a bit of patience, but it's worth it. You can click on the magnifying glass on the Adobe toolbar to get details.

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, so walking or biking are indicated. 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).
Beach Regulations

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. For example, there are restrictions regarding playing Frisbee, flying stunt kites and fishing in "designated swimming areas" (those listed above) because these are activities that could cause injury to those on a crowded beach. The regulations are enforced by the lifeguards and sheriff's deputies.

Four regulations you might not expect are:
No alcoholic beverages are permitted on any part of the beach.
You may not beach a power craft (including wave runners) on any beach, and they must be operated more than 150 Yards offshore, for the protection of swimmers.
You may not walk on the sand dunes, as they are very fragile and are our protection against storm surge from gales and hurricanes.
You may not remove any living creature from the beach (hermit crabs, starfish, sand dollars, etc.). What you think is a shell could be a hermit crab's home.

And, there is something we locals would ask of you: Take nothing but your memories, leave nothing but your footprints.
Dogs love the beach, but not everyone loves dogs (some people fear them). Consequently there are rules regarding dogs on the beach which vary depending on the time of year. Few vacationers bring dogs because it's difficult to find housing that will accept pets, but if you bring your dog, make sure you are aware of the restrictions. Above all, pick up after your pet. Be aware joggers are common on the beach and dogs like to chase them.
For a complete set of rules and regs, click here.

Beach Amenities
The lifeguards on Hilton Head get paid based on commissions on rentals of beach chairs, umbrellas, recumbent beach bicycles, hobie cats, and water tricycles. You can rent any of these and more right on the beach. A "set" of two chairs and an umbrella rent for $27.00 the first day and $16.00 on subsequent days if paid in advance (2003 rates).  The company involved is called Shore Beach Services and their phone number is 843-785-3494. You might want to try some of the companies that rent bikes, cribs, etc. for chair and umbrella prices. Island Cruisers, for one, has available sand chairs and an umbrella for $20 per week, but you will have to take them back and forth (843-785-4321).

A bike ride down the Atlantic beach

If you bike from the Westin or Islander Beach Park to Land's End in Sea Pines, you will have traveled about 11 miles one way. You can do this on a beach bike in an hour and a half with the wind at your back if you don't stop. But, it will be much more enjoyable if you make some stops and learn about the island from the beach, even if you don't make the whole trip. Let's take a hypothetical bike excursion. With the wind at our backs, and a couple of hours before low tide, we start at:

The Islander Beach Club, at beach marker 110 (11 miles from marker 1) and head south.

Within a few hundred feet we see a large complex of high rise, brown, wood buildings. This is Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort, a budget priced tourist accommodation. There is a bar beachside, and although this is private property they might not mind serving up a cool one or feeding you. There is entertainment in season.

At marker 105 (you have now traveled all of a half mile) is Folly Field Beach Park, described above. Not much to do here unless you need to use the restrooms. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble.

Marker 102 is where the Dreissen Beach Park is located (description above). If you have children with you, they can enjoy the playground or you can break out the sandwiches and sit at a picnic table.
At marker 98 is Burke's Beach. Not much to do here except watch people crabbing in the estuarine creeks.

Marker 82 is the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort in Palmetto Dunes Plantation. Here is the Point Comfort poolside and beachside bar, and Quinn's II, a restaurant offering a limited menu of good food at either outdoor tables or inside in the air conditioning, also with an ocean view.

Disney Resort, the time share at Shelter Cove, has a beachfront facility at marker 80A just past marker 81.
The next hotel you will see is the Crown Plaza Resort in Shipyard Plantation at marker 71A, just past marker 72. This hotel has a poolside bar, but it's located a fairly long walk from the beach through a pavilion used for group affairs. The bar hours are a mystery to me, but the grounds are quite attractive.

Now we have a stretch of about a mile before we hit the busiest part of the beach, starting at mile 61, where the Sea Crest has an ocean front bar and food service between their two swimming pools.
Immediately past the Sea Crest at marker 59A is Coligny Beach, the island's most popular, described above. Right next to it is the Holiday Inn's Tiki Hut, a popular beach bar that offers entertainment afternoons and evenings in season. The public is always welcome at the Tiki Hut.

Less than a mile further you will see the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort, a high rise time share. Immediately next to it is the Alder Lane public beach, at marker 52A.  You can get a soft drink from a vending machine there or use the restrooms, because the next segment is a mile and a half away.
At marker 38 is the popular Sea Pines Beach Club, described above. Here you can stop for a drink, a burger, and to listen to some entertainment.

The next mile and a half is my favorite stretch of beach. It's very wide and lined with impressive mansions. Wildlife is ever present - Ospreys diving for their catch, Dolphins rising to breathe or slapping the water with their tails to stun fish, and entertaining Pelicans doing their ungainly crash dives. At marker 13 is Tower Beach. Not much reason to stop here unless you need to use the restrooms.

The next mile or so takes you around the "toe" of Hilton Head, a turn toward the West. The beach here is Calibogue Sound beach, and it also teems with wildlife. If the timing is right, you might see a great sunset here. The beach ends at a breakwater that slows the migration of sand into the mouth of Braddock Cove, the entrance to the South Beach marina. In the distance you can see the Harbourtown lighthouse, and on your right is Land's End, a South Beach community.
That's the end of our hypothetical trip. Since Sea Pines plantation is private, and, since going from the beach inland is technically trespassing, we might want to double back to where we can legally get back to the street. To do this you need to go back beyond the Sea Pines Beach Club, perhaps to Alder Land at marker 53. I certainly would not advocate trespassing and bringing the bikes in at marker 4, where the catamarans and other boats are beached if you are not staying in the plantation. By now the tide is coming in and we can ride back along the leisure trails, where the wind is much less noticeable.

http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/Maps/pathmap.htm

Bicycles

Hilton Head Island is very flat, and with parking limited in some areas, bikes are a great way to get around.  Beach bikes rent for about $20 per week (ask for multiple bike discounts) including helmet and chain lock.  You can bring your own, but the salt air is rough on bikes and you can't take them inside your rental property to keep them safe.  During low tide, our beaches are very firm and you can easily ride a bike with wide tires on the beach.  There are many miles of ''leisure" trails on the island that accommodate bikes.  You can also rent bikes by the day or even by the hour.  For those with children, there are tandem bikes (built for two - one adult, one child), kiddy trailers, training wheels, and kiddy seats (behind the adult).  For those who have never ridden a bike, there are adult tricycles.  There are even jitney bikes that hold four to six people.

 

Kayaking

In recent years, Americans have become increasingly health conscious and nature oriented.  Kayaking is a great way to enjoy nature and get in some good exercise.  No experience is needed - the kayak rental companies will teach you all you need to know.  You need reasonable upper body strength and decent coordination - that's all.  Life jackets are often required to be worn, (certainly non-swimmers must wear life jackets), and everyone should wear old clothes and foot covering that can get wet.  There are kayak expeditions for dolphin and bird watching, for viewing the sunset, for full moon enjoyment and even for fireworks at Shelter Cove.  Discount coupons are common in local publications.

Kayaks come in many varieties: one or two passenger, sit on or sit in, with or without a rudder.

If you have not been kayaking before (canoeing doesn't count) you should go on a tour.  Otherwise you can rent a kayak and go off on your own.  The tours generally offer instruction and guides who are knowledgeable about the area and its nature.

When planning your kayak trip, consider which goals you have in mind, then decide where you want to go.  For example dolphins are best spotted in the Calibogue Sound (a few are in the lower reaches of Broad Creek).  Birds are seen everywhere, but you are more likely to see some up close in the smaller waterways, such as Jarvis Creek  (on the North End near Jenkins Island) or Calibogue Creek (near the mouth of Broad Creek ) or Baynard Cove (near Braddock Cove in South Beach) ,as well as around the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge.  The waters in the smaller waterways are smoother than in Broad Creek (some mild boat wakes) or in the Calibogue Sound, which can get quite choppy on windy days.

The tides are something to think about as well.  At or near low tide some waterways are inaccessible, and if you depart from land, it might be quite muddy.  At or near high tide is generally the best time to go.  The tide can also affect the level of difficulty. If you are kayaking upstream when the tide is going out, you could be going against a three mile per hour current.  Conversely, the tide could make it easy if in your favor.  Think about going when the tide is full in, when there is little current. Inexperienced kayakers should not attempt to go to Daufuski Island because the tidal currents can be very strong and boat wakes and wind driven chop (waves) can be brutal.  If you go for the Shelter Cove fireworks, you should know in the summer dozens of power boats show up for the event, and you will be returning in the dark in a tiny kayak.

Listed here are some kayak rental and excursion companies in alphabetical order.  We make no representation regarding these companies.  This summarized information is provided to give you an idea who to call to get complete information.

Broad Creek Kayak Company 843-342-3508 behind the Old Oyster Factory.
Broad Creek Marina 843-681-3625.
Coastal Kayaking 843-842-4194

Cool Breeze Kayaking , AKA Adventure Kayak Nature Tours, 843-683-4040 operates in two locations: Pinckney Island and Broad Creek

C-Katz Watersportz 843-681-9008 Jenkins Rd. at the RV Resort.
Kayak Hilton Head 843-684-1910 is located at Simmons Landing, next to the Broad Creek Marina. Also offer kayak fishing. They now have a second location  at the RV Resort on the north end, from which you can explore Pinckney Island 843-684-1912.

Outside Hilton Head, 843-686-6996 offers three locations: Pinckney Island, Broad Creek, and South Beach Marina (843-671-2643). They provide dolphin watches, kids' summer camp, fireworks, fishing, Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and Daufuskie Island.

Palmetto Bay Water Sports 843-785-2345 is located at the Palmetto Bay Marina.
Water Dog Outfitters 843-686-3554 at Broad Creek Marina.

 

Horseback riding and Stables

Two of the three stables on Hilton Head offer activities of interest to visitors.

Lawton Stables, located in Sea Pines plantation, offers guided trail rides for people 8 years old and up through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, a 600 acre preserve where many plants and animals can be observed. Also available are pony ride for kids 7 and under, hayrides (also through the Forest Preserve) and professional training and riding lessons. 843-671-2586.

Sea Horse Farms, on Mitchellville Road, offers trail rides, part of which are on the beach, for those 8 years old or more (250 Lb. maximum). They also offer pony rides geared to kids birthday parties, with the ponies rented by the hour, currently for $100. 843-681-7746.

Sandy Creek Stables boards privately owned horses and offers some amenities for horse owners, but beyond that, no tourism related activities.

Not far off the Island are stables that provide a variety of amenities: Moss Creek Stables in Moss Creek Plantation and Star Ridge Stables in Hardeeville are two. Belle Island Farms at Oldfield in Okatie is a full service facility. If you are a serious equestrian and participate in showing and jumping you should check these out. Newly opened is the Rose Dhu Creek Equestrian Center in Bluffton, which from their advertisement, is a full service equestrian center. Folly Moon Farm in Ridgeland recently advertised riding, boarding and training.

 

Fishing

On Hilton Head Island you can fish in fresh and brackish water lagoons, tidal lagoons, estuaries (tidal creeks), inshore on the Calibogue Sound and offshore in the Atlantic ocean.

Ocean Fishing

The State regulates fishing up to three mile offshore.  Beyond that, Federal regulations apply.

For salt water fishing you need a State license if over 16 years old to fish from a boat.  Commercial fishing boats already have a license that covers all fisher people, and you can get a State license to fish from a private boat for $11.00 for a three day non-resident (SC) license (see below for locations that offer licenses).

To fish from the beach or the banks of estuaries (tidal creeks) you need no license, but you cannot fish in designated swimming areas (DUH!) and you are not supposed to fish for sharks.  The sharks break this rule all the time, so you might hook a Sting Ray or Atlantic Sharp Nosed or Black Tipped shark.  You are expected to release them - if you get a Sting Ray or a good size shark, just cut the line and let it go rather than take a chance of getting hurt.

Inshore and offshore charter fishing boats are readily available. You can go fishing on a party boat with a dozen or (many) more people, which will drift fish (fishing with the boat not moving). Usually these operate inshore or not far offshore, though some will go to the reefs.  Some specialize in shark fishing, usually late in the day and into evening.

You can also charter an offshore (or inshore) boat that carries up to six passengers and will fish by trolling the bait (dragging it behind a moving boat).  This is usually called deep sea fishing. The trips offered are typically either half-day or full-day excursions.

For serious deep sea fishing, anglers will go to the Gulf Stream, which is about 70 miles from shore. The fishing is great, but so is the round trip. Obviously a very full day of fishing.  The best time to go to the Gulf Stream is June through September.
There are a number of artificial reefs and natural banks offshore that offer fine fishing.  The charter captains know where to go at various times of year and can predict the types of fish that may be caught.

My recommendation for charter fishing is to go to the docks or call and talk to the charter boat captains to see what is a good fit for you.  Charters are available from almost all commercial marinas.

 

Fresh Water Fishing

While it might seem that the creeks on Hilton Head are fresh water, they are not.  They are actually estuaries with no significant source of fresh water. Estuaries are tidal and the water in them is ocean water.  There are some lakes and lagoons that hold fresh water - or brackish water.  Most of these are part of the storm water drainage system and therefore hold rain water runoff.  Some lagoons are likewise fresh water, but some are tidal and so contain salt water.  Observe a lagoon you would like to fish - if the water level changes significantly over a period of a few hours, it's tidal.

To go fresh water fishing outside of the plantations or other private property any one over 16 years old needs a State fishing license.  A seven day non-resident (SC) license can be purchased for $11.00 (see below for locations that offer licenses). There are not many such places on Hilton Head - Jarvis Creek Park comes to mind.

In the plantations, which the State classifies as private property, you need no State license but are subject to the rules of the plantation.

Sea Pines: You must be a resident or guest and you need a permit from CSA, available at the security office.  They will ask you to prove you are a resident or guest.

Shipyard: For residents or guests there is no license requirement and there are no restrictions.

Palmetto Dunes: Fishing is restricted to owners and guests and to the banks of the lagoon crossed by the Queen's Folly Bridge (the first bridge you come to, before the security gate).

 

Claming/Oystering

The rules for licenses to harvest oysters and clams are the same as for ocean fishing from a boat.  There are designated areas for harvesting oysters and areas that are off limits from time to time. Oyster beds may be closed after a heavy rain due to the possibility of contamination (oysters filter the water and are the first to pick up any contaminant).

Shrimp may be taken with a cast net for personal use without a license, but traps are prohibited. You might hear about "shrimp baiting", but this is not an activity appropriate for tourists due to the expense and specialized knowledge required.
Likewise, crabs may be taken by various methods, but crab pots are limited to two without a license. Crabs must be 5 inches across and females must not be pregnant to be kept.  To see if a crab is carrying eggs, flip it over and if you see a spongy mass on its underside, put it back.

The Complete State Regulations

Click here for all the details about licensing, limits, sizes for keepers, etc.

Licenses, Bait and Tackle

Commercial fishing boats will provide everything you need except food and drink. Many marinas have bait available. Fishing tackle can be rented and bait purchased from True Value Hardware in Coligny Plaza and from Shelter Cove Marina Ships Store at Shelter Cove marina. Blue Water Marine at the South Beach Marina offers frozen bait,
South Carolina fishing licenses can be purchased at True Value Hardware in Coligny Plaza and from Wal Mart at Festival Center, where you can also buy rods, reels, etc They sell frozen bait also..

Boating & Water Sports

Nature cruises and dolphin watching are among the most popular pastimes on Hilton Head.  There are many ways to do this, each with its own characteristics.

Kayaking puts you as close as you can get to wildlife, however it limits your range (it does take some effort), and may not provide a dolphin experience.  May not be desirable for non swimmers or nonathletically inclined.

Zodiac boats also put you right where the action is.  Most hold six people plus the captain and can go almost anywhere.  You are almost certain to see dolphins.

Larger boats such as Gypsy and Vagabond and others provide a more stable platform with amenities such as a bathroom, soft drinks and snacks.

Consider the distance from the marina to the area you will be going. You don't want to spend all your time getting there and getting back. Click here for some nature cruise selections.

Water sports are also very popular. Parasailing  is a sport where you are lifted high into the air from a platform on the boat by a parachute attached by cable to the boat.  Wave runners are personal watercraft known for the thrill of speed and maneuverability. You can also go water skiing. SCUBA diving and snorkeling are not appropriate sports on Hilton Head because visibility is very low.  Our waters are teeming with life, which makes them appear to be murky.

Salt Water fishing can be done from a party boat or a chartered boat.  You can fish inshore or offshore.  Rods, reels, bait, etc. are provided.  Party boats include Drifter and Capt. Hook and charter boats include Boomerang, Hero, and many, many others.  Depending on the time of year, common catches are cobia, mackerel, flounder, the occasional grouper, black drum, shark, tarpon or barracuda.  You are encouraged to release what you catch, but some of these fish are quite edible, and you can take them to one of many restaurants on the docks to be cooked for you.  Let your boat captain be your guide.

Sailing is popular because the Calibogue sound and Broad Creek offer relatively sheltered and calm waters.  If you know how to sail you can rent a sailboat.  You can also take sailing lessons, but most of us just go out on crewed commercial sailboats.  Among the most popular are the many catamarans, the largest of which is the Pau Hana.   Cheers is a sailboat we have enjoyed, and the Schooner Welcome is a 62 foot Concordia gaff rigged wooden sailboat.

Boat rentals are another way to enjoy our waters.  You can rent just about any kind of boat, depending on your needs.  We have often found ourselves with large groups, so one of our favorite rentals is a pontoon boat.  These are essentially floating patios that can hold as many as 16 people with room to move about.  For a smaller group look into a Deckliner, which can hold 9 people and is much faster.  Take a cooler of food and beverages and try the lower reaches of Broad Creek or most anywhere in the Calibogue to see dolphin.  If you are fortunate enough to see a shrimp trawler at anchor, you will surely see dolphins around it.  If you don't know how to read a nautical chart it's important you pay attention when it's explained to you.  Our tides routinely run eight feet and there are many shallow areas.

Dinner and sunset cruises are also popular.  Frequently a dinner cruise is a sunset cruise.  Highly recommended is the Spirit of Harbour Town dinner cruise on Tuesday, which goes to Shelter Cove for the fireworks.  It's a bit pricey, but the food is surprisingly good considering the setting. A new boat, the Palmetto Star is offering lunch, brunch and dinner cruises out of Shelter Cove marina.

Side trips by boat are also available.  The trip to Daufuskie Island is interesting if you are in the mood to see what Hilton Head Island looked like in the 1940's or if you are a Pat Conroy fan.

In my mind, more interesting is the cruise to Savannah on the Spirit of Harbour Town.  This boat is air conditioned below and open air above and is fast and relatively quiet.  It takes you right to River Street, where you can take a tram tour of Savannah and have time for lunch before the return trip.  It travels on the inland waterway, including a man made canal, so seasickness is not a problem at all. Snacks and beverages are available on board, and it has restrooms.

Crabbing is something many visitors, especially the younger ones, have fun with.  Several boats offer crabbing trips, but frankly you can go crabbing anywhere there is salt or even brackish water.  You need a bucket, a piece of string and a net you can get at Wal Mart or hardware stores.  For bait almost anything will do, but a chicken neck is best (leave it out for awhile till it gets stinky).  Go to any dock or even the beach, tie the string around the chicken neck and throw it in the water.  Wait a couple of minutes and pull up the chicken neck, slipping the net under the crab attached to it.  Put the crab in the bucket with a little water but don't submerge it.  Some ice is OK, and keep it out of the sun.  If you want to make a meal out of crabs, you will need at least ten per person (good luck).  You are not allowed to keep any crab under five inches across, or any female '' in sponge", which means a female carrying eggs (they look like a spongy mass on its underside).  You can identify females because the ''girls paint their fingernails red".  Never cook and eat a dead crab! If you catch a Stone Crab (two large claws similar to Lobster Claws), be very careful - their claws are strong enough to crush shellfish shells! You may remove the larger of the two claws and return the crab to the water, where it will grow another claw. Do not remove a claw from a female carrying an egg mass and don't get caught with the body of a stone crab, even if you found it on the beach.

 

Fireworks

Shelter Cove attracts many visitors on Tuesday nights June 5 to August 14 (2007) from 6:30 to 10:00 PM for fireworks, food, crafts and entertainment for kids. Activities include the Summer Jams concerts at the Shelter Cove Community Park at 6:30 PM. Plan to walk a considerable distance to parking if you don't get there early.  There are some interesting shops with unique offerings to keep the adults entertained.  Free.  843-785-1106.

 

Public Parks and playgrounds on Hilton Head

Barker Field

Barker Field is where many ball games are played by local leagues, but it does have a playground as well, and is available for private groups. Locate off Beach City Road.

Chaplain Community Park

Located mid-island off Burke's Beach Rd. This park provides baseball and soccer fields and it is also one of the beach access points. It includes the Best Friend's Dog Park, a place your dog can run and play with other dogs free in a fenced area.

Crossings Park

This park is located on the way to the Palmetto Bay marina, just off Arrow Rd. close to the intersection at Palmetto Bay Rd. on Helmsman Way.  It includes lighted ball fields and a regulation soccer field. It also boasts the Bristol Sports Arena, with it's basketball and roller hockey rink, a kiddies playground, and a facility for stunt skateboarding.

Fish Haul Creek Park

This is Hilton Head's most pristine park, largely left to nature, with gigantic oak trees decorated with Spanish Moss. It has restrooms, a small pavilion with two picnic tables and a pier out into the tidal marsh. You can walk to a beach on the Port Royal Sound (about 0.3 miles from the parking lot), where clamming is popular. Truly wonderful for nature lovers, but close enough to the airport that the sound of aircraft is more than obvious. It's almost at the end of Beach City Road.

Green Shell Park

This park is on the North end of Hilton Head, off Squire Pope Road (the first traffic light coming on to the island). It has basketball courts, restrooms, a playground, a historic cemetery and great views of Skull Creek.

Harbour Town

This is a playground located at the Harbour Town Marina parking lot in Sea Pines Plantation. It includes a tree house, swings and other playground equipment.

Hilton Head Park

This park is on highway 278 at mile marker 2 (Wild Horse Rd.) and has tennis courts, basketball courts and a soccer field.
Island Recreation Center

This is an extensive recreational facility with a heated swimming pool, ball fields, a playground, a gymnasium, basketball courts and volleyball courts. Located off Gumtree Rd. Near the Cross-Island expressway off ramp.

Jarvis Creek Park

This public park opened May 5, 2003. It is a 53 acre park with an 11 acre lake. Amenities include rest rooms, barbeque grills, playground, floating dock, picnic pavilion, boardwalks through wetlands, and asphalt and mulch trails. The lake is stocked with Blue Gill and Largemouth Bass for catch-and-release fishing. The asphalt trail is connected to the town bike paths.
The park is also part of the rainwater management system for runoff from Hilton Head Plantation and surrounding areas. Runoff is pumped into the lake, where sediment settles, then is filtered through the wetlands before being released into Jarvis Creek.

The $1 million park was funded by the sale of dirt that was removed to form the lake and by grants.

Palmetto Bay Boat Ramp

Opened in late 2005, the Palmetto Bay Boat launch facility is the only such facility on the Island where boats can be launched at any tide level. There is no charge for using this facility. It includes ample parking for vehicles with trailers attached, and, at this writing, has portable toilets. Fishing is permitted from the dock, although boat traffic has precedence.
Sea Pines Forest Preserve

In addition to being a wildlife refuge, the Forest Preserve has picnic tables, a barbeque, and fishing piers.
Shelter Cove Community Park

This is where concerts and festivals are usually held. There is no playground, but, between events you can relax or toss a Frisbee™ there.

Shelter Cove

There is a playground in Shelter Cove Harbour that features a climbing structure, swings, etc. This is where Tuesday night fireworks are held in summer and Shannon Tanner entertain families.

To see a great map showing town parks and the beach parks, click here.  You need Adobe reader and a bit of patience, but it's worth it. You can click on the magnifying glass on the Adobe toolbar to get details.