Hilton Head Island Area Guide

Hilton Head Island, or more simply referred to as, Hilton Head, is a beautiful resort town located in the southernmost part of South Carolina, near the Georgia border. The Island is named after Captain William Hilton who discovered our island in 1663.

The Island is shaped like a shoe and is twelve miles long and its beaches are on the Atlantic Ocean. We are only twenty miles northeast of Savannah, GA, and ninety miles south of Charleston, SC. Our popular vacation destination attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually.

Our rich history started with seasonal occupation by Native Americans thousands of years ago, continued on by European exploration and the Sea Island Cotton trade. We were an important base during the Civil War. After the Civil War was over, many ex-slaves retreated to this beautiful Island paradise and now their descendants are known as the Gullah population.

Hilton Head is home to a vast array of wildlife including alligators, deer, loggerhead sea turtles, manatees, hundreds of species of birds, and dolphins. One of our local restaurants, Coco's On The Beach, has a beach cam for you to see what is happening at the shore.

On this relatively small island we boast over two hundred fifty restaurants, two hundred outlet shops, six marina villages, twelve grocery stores, three movie theaters, and endless amounts of fun. Your group will definitely not be disappointed. There is something for everyone and all ages can find something to enjoy.

Learn more about all Hilton Head has to offer below, and reserve your Hilton Head vacation home today.

YOUR GUIDE TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Hilton Head is located off the coast of South Carolina along the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its quintessential Lowcountry lifestyle, golf courses, beaches, history, and nature, Hilton Head Island is a destination for all travelers. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is located between Hilton Head and mainland South Carolina. Hilton Head Island is 15 minutes from Bluffton, 45 minutes from Savannah, 90 minutes from Charleston, and 30 minutes from Beaufort.

Hilton Head is a prime summer destination, but there’s a ton do all year-round. Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are ideal for travelers looking for fewer crowds and lower rates. The summer is the most popular time to visit, to be ready for larger crowds, higher rates, and longer lines at attractions and restaurants. However, there's good reason why Hilton Head is so popular in the summer. Temperatures hoover in the high 80s and low 90s from June through August and the ocean is perfect for swimming. Winter is also great because temperatures are still mild, with highs in the mid 60s and lows in the 40s.

Hilton Head is known for its world-class golf courses, beautiful beaches, historic sites, kid-friendly attractions, Southern dining, shopping, and more. It really has something for everyone in the family. Spend the day at Coligny Beach, one of the island’s most popular, ride along the Sea Pines Trail, or play a round at Atlantic Dunes Golf Course. If you love spending your time shopping and dining out, plan a visit Coligny Plaza.