Overview
Hilton Head Island is a city and barrier island in South Carolina, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. With an approximate population of 40,000, it is on a beautiful, sub-tropical 12-mile (19-km) barrier island. Hilton Head Island is a vacation playland with famous beaches and great golf courses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
1 sights · 7 things to do · 8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hilton Head Island
Harbour Town
Visit to see how the upper class lives. Admire the multi-million dollar yachts in many different marinas and sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Harbour Town Golf Links
While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public gol…
Biking
The Hilton Head Island area offers over 25 crossing bike paths, and many shops rent bikes.
Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center
Regarded as one of the best in “The 50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Magazine, this resort offers 25 courts, instructional programs, and tournaments.
George Fazio Golf Course
Designed by the revered golf designer, George Fazio, this 18-hole course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island.
Arthur Hills Golf Course
Ranked 4.5 by Fodor’s Golf Digest, this course takes advantage of the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island’s marshland and ocean surroundings.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Sep–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Savannah)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HHH Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head Island — 4 mi away. Directions
- SAV Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Savannah — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
US Route 278 is the only road on and off the island. An interchange with Interstate 95 is along US 278 about 40 minutes west of the island. Between the island and I-95, US 278 intersects with South Carolina Route 170, which provides access to and from Beaufort and Savannah. Traffic onto the island can be particularly heavy on the weekend, when many arrive to and leave the island, so consider arriving and leaving on weekdays if you'd like to avoid the heaviest of traffic.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $200–$200 a night (typical $400), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$240, mid-range ~$480, comfortable ~$370.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Harbour Town, Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center
- Lunch HH Prime
- Afternoon George Fazio Golf Course, Robert Trent Jones Course
- Dinner Kenny B's
- Evening Frosty Frog
Day 2
- Morning Biking, Harbour Town Golf Links
- Lunch Amigos Cafe Y Cantina
- Afternoon Arthur Hills Golf Course, Island Explorer
- Dinner Santa Fe Cafe
- Evening Tiki Hut
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Ask some service employees for their recommendations for great Hilton Head restaurants. Well-known or busy does not necessarily mean good food. Coupons and menus are available in local tourism magazines.
To get started:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Hilton Head Island was first occupied by Native Americans, with Europeans first making contact in 1521. In 1663, Captain William Hilton came to the island and named it for himself, "Hilton's Head". The island was later settled, and activity on the island primarily consisted of farming, with the island serving as a base of operations for the Union blockade of the Confederacy. After the war, ex-slaves flocked to the island to work on plantations, with this legacy most prominent in the naming of communities on the island, which are known as plantations (though this naming convention is controversial given the ties the word "plantation" has with slavery). The first resort development occurred in 1956 with the development of Sea Pines Resort, with additional development coming over the following decades. Hilton Head Island remains a popular resort destination, and now boasts several resorts and other tourist accommodation.
Tourist information
- Hilton Head Island website
Get in
By car
US Route 278 is the only road on and off the island. An interchange with Interstate 95 is along US 278 about 40 minutes west of the island. Between the island and I-95, US 278 intersects with South Carolina Route 170, which provides access to and from Beaufort and Savannah. Traffic onto the island can be particularly heavy on the weekend, when many arrive to and leave the island, so consider arriving and leaving on weekdays if you'd like to avoid the heaviest of traffic.
By plane
Hilton Head Island is served by two airports.
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about an hour away from the island and served by seven airlines. The airport is directly connected to Interstate 95.
Air taxi and air charter companies such as Jetset Charter fly a variety of private charter aircraft, such as pistons and turbo props, for small groups and individuals into Hilton Head Island Airport (KHXD). Generally, private jet aircraft must fly into Savannah/Hilton Head Int'l (KSAV).
By train
The nearest Amtrak stations are in Savannah and Yemassee.
Get around
By car
Once entering the island, US 278 becomes known as the William Hilton Parkway. After traveling about a mile on the island, the road splits in two.
William Hilton Parkway continues as US 278 Business, a surface road around the eastern end of the island. US 278 Business is a four-lane divided highway, but most businesses on the island are along the road, making for a slow, 25- to 30-minute drive to the southern end of the island. US 278 branches off onto the Cross Island Parkway, a grade-separated expressway. While the Cross Island Parkway is no longer a toll road; you can drive the entire length of the Parkway for free. The parkway reduces the journey from the split to the south end of the island to five minutes.
US 278 and US 278 Business terminate at the Sea Pines Circle at the south end of the island. From this circle, cars can continue south on Greenwood Drive to enter the gated Sea Pines plantation, or east on Pope Avenue to head towards Coligny Beach, the major public beach on the island.
By bicycle
Hilton Head is quite cycling-friendly. All main roads and most major roads in the resort plantations have a companion bicycle path, and there are a few miles of paths that cut their own trail away from the roads. Although not lit for night riding, they are the perfect way to traverse the island during the day time hours. Bicycle rental stores are plentiful, although they may be expensive. Some golf courses may open up their cart paths to bicycles during non-playing hours (in the morning and at night), but other than this it is generally not a good idea to stray off the paths.
By bus
The Breeze Trolley is a public transportation service open seasonally around summertime. It operates two routes in the central part of the island, and it is free for all passengers. The trolleys arrive every 30 minutes.
See
See Harbour Town
Visit to see how the upper class lives. Admire the multi-million dollar yachts in many different marinas and sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Jenkins Island. Right between the bridges from Bluffton to Hilton Head Island.
- Shelter Cove. The Island's largest deepwater marina. During the summer enjoy live music and weekly fireworks.
Do
- Beaches - Nearly 9 miles of Atlantic Ocean surf and beautiful beaches, all publicly accessible. There are several public parks that provide beach access. From there, you can walk or bike the length of the island. Recommended spots are South Beach, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort area.
- Golf courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:
Do Harbour Town Golf Links
While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head. Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
- Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
- Kayaking
Buy
Eat
Ask some service employees for their recommendations for great Hilton Head restaurants. Well-known or busy does not necessarily mean good food. Coupons and menus are available in local tourism magazines.
To get started:
Eat HH Prime
Provides beachside dining with culinary flair including USDA Prime Grade beef selections and fresh seafood along with decadent dessert creations, serving up classics like New York Strip to a savory Filet. For a lighter fare, enjoy island seafood. The grand interior and exterior fireplaces, dinner hour music, and the island's ultimate wine room, offering the island's largest collection -- more than 100 selections.
Eat Kenny B's
New Orleans-style cuisine. Great for lunch.
Eat Amigos Cafe Y Cantina
Great burritos and BBQ Grilled Chicken salad.
Eat Santa Fe Cafe
Mexican/American. Nice lunch combos. Try the Painted Desert Soup. If you're feeling flush (and haven't eaten for two days), the Cowboy cut rib of Aberdeen Angus beef takes some beating.
Eat British Open Pub
Excellent overall menu.
Eat The Sea Shack
Tasty seafood, cheap prices. Arrive early.
Eat Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe
Great breakfasts.
- Woody's, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Tasty and generally fairly priced with a nice atmosphere.
- The Quarterdeck and Topside at the Quarterdeck, 160 Lighthouse Rd. +1 843-842-1999. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service.
- Tapas Restaurant, 11 Northridge Plaza, +1 843-681-8590. Cozy locals place. Incredible food.
- Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
- Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.
Eat Salty Dog Cafe
Outdoor cafe that is especially popular with tourists. It's in the gated Sea Pines resort plantation, so you must pay $5 at the visitor's center to get in if you are not renting in the plantation. On the back of the temporary pass is a map to guide you to the area of the restaurant. Live music plays most nights in the summer. As with most restaurants on the island during the summer, you must arrive around 5:45-6PM if you don't want to wait for a table. After that time, the wait usually jumps to 30-45 minutes and slowly increases from there. This is especially true for popular restaurants such as the Salty Dog. A t-shirt from the accompanying store is a common souvenir.
Drink
Drink Frosty Frog
Frozen drinks.
Drink Tiki Hut
"Barefoot" bar at a resort offering sand volleyball, beach lounge chairs & live music. Located on Coligny beach and is the only bar on the beach on Hilton Head Island. The only contact for email is via the Facebook page for the bar.
Sleep
Being such a popular vacation destination, Hilton Head has many lodging choices. There are several hotels on the island, however a great and widespread accommodation alternative is the vacation rental. Vacation rentals are available in many types, from large condo buildings to quaint homes, new and old.
Go next
Nearby
Bluffton
City / town · 7 listings · 8 mi away
Tybee Island
City / town · 19 listings · 13 mi away
Beaufort
City / town · 20 listings · 18 mi away
Savannah
City / town · 116 listings · 21 mi away
Skidaway Island
City / town · 25 mi away
Ridgeland
City / town · 1 listings · 25 mi away
Port Wentworth
City / town · 2 listings · 26 mi away
Seabrook Island
City / town · 43 mi away
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