Hilton Head is full of surprises—especially if you love nature or you’re planning a laid-back family trip. This guide shares my top picks for the best things to do on Hilton Head Island, mixing hidden gems with classic can’t-miss spots.
Honestly, this little barrier island surprised me. I knew it to be a prime family vacation destination, but I didn’t realize it was so incredibly lush and diverse with wildlife and nature. You can discover many of these by adding the right excursions to your Hilton Head itinerary.
These are great activities for couples in Hilton Head or even families or groups of friends. So, let’s dive into one of South Carolina’s best coastal destinations.
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Where is Hilton Head Island?
Hilton Head is a barrier island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. It’s about 20 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia and about 95 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.
A day trip to Savannah is a great option for those spending a week or more on Hilton Head, but Charleston is a bit of a stretch.
The island is shaped by tides, storms, and natural erosion, and is found within a unique tidal estuary system. Here the Atlantic meets rivers like the May River—creating a dynamic, nutrient-rich environment teeming with biodiversity and one of the most impressive tidal patterns on the planet.
As you’ll learn during your time on Hilton Head, the island has deep roots in the Gullah Geechee culture. This is a community of African Americans who preserved much of their West African heritage. You can still hear the Gullah language and enjoy Gullah cuisine on the island, although the Gullah community is not nearly as large as it once was.
Hilton Head is a unique combination of beaches, tidal estuaries, salt marshes, and forests. This list of things to do on Hilton Head Island allow you to experience all of those and more.
Best Hilton Head Things to Do
Let’s get into the must-do activities, excursions, and experiences to have during your Hilton Head Island vacation. And don’t forget to read this beach packing list before you go!
Coligny Plaza
Perhaps the beating heart of Hilton Head’s tourism. Coligny Plaza is a cute shopping center with over 60 boutique shops, local restaurants, and charming cafés.
This is the best area to shop for souvenirs like Hilton Head t-shirts and shell necklaces. It’s also a great area to find artisan goods like gemstone crafts, local hot sauces and honey, and beachy fashion.
But, as I said, there are also some great cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants in Coligny Plaza. Some of my best picks are:
- Bad Biscuit
- Carolina Coffee & Crumbs
- Frosty Frog Cafe
- Frozen Moo
- Sweet Al’s Cafe
From Coligny Plaza, there is also a nice beach access point. You’ll find bathrooms, showers, and a wheel-chair accessible path to the beach. There is also volleyball at Coligny Beach.
Local Legend Brewing Company
Right off the main strip, the 276, you’ll find the Local Legend Brewing Company. There are a few different breweries on Hilton Head, but I like this one because of the quality of their craft beer, the food menu, and the way there are activities for all ages.
They have arcade games, ping pong, and other amenities for kids. So, I think this is a great compromise for families looking to enjoy some excellent craft beer while out with the kids.
The brewery is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursday. They stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cycling in Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines
One of the absolute best things to do on Hilton Head Island is to rent bikes. We chose Island Life Bike Rentals and were very pleased.
We needed 7 adult bikes and 2 bikes with kiddie carts attached to them. We ordered them just a couple of days in advance and had them delivered to our house the day of arrival. There was a problem with one of the bike chains and they were quick to exchange the bike for us.
Chances are you’re staying in either Palmetto Dunes or Sea Pines if you’re coming to Hilton Head. Cycling will be the best way to get around the neighborhoods.
Hilton Head is covered in beautiful bike paths and trails, making it a super enjoyable activity any time of the day.
Palmetto Dunes is super beautiful with lots of luxe houses to cycle past, quaint waterways, alligator spotting, and beach access points. Even if you’re not staying right on the beach, you can quickly cycle to and from. Just bring your bikes onto the beach and park them next to your umbrella.
Sea Pines is another lush area to cycle. You’ll have access to places like the Stoney Baynard Ruins, the Sea Pines Beach Club, and the forest preserve. You can even cycle to the Salty Dog Cafe at South Beach.
Basically, you can get just about anywhere by bike if you’re willing! We cycled from Palmetto Dunes to Coligny Plaza. It was around 30 minutes each way and was a lot of fun (and a good workout).
Harbour Town
This popular part of Hilton Head is also in Sea Pines, and is a must-see. Side note: Unless you are staying in Sea Pines, you will need to pay $9 per car (as of 2025) to get onto that part of the island. It will last you the whole day.
Once you find parking by Harbour Town, you can explore this charming little area. It’s reminiscent of some coastal town in Maine with a distinct lighthouse, harbour, boats floating out at sea—the lot.
There are various shops and restaurants, such as the Quarterdeck and The Crazy Crab. However, it’s also just a pleasant area to visit thanks to the lighthouse, the pier that stretches out onto the Atlantic, and the circular harbour that boasts manatee and dolphins.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse is a museum, so you can visit it for $7.50 a person. Each level showcases a different time period in South Carolina’s history. There are 114 steps to reach the top for nice views of Hilton Head and the ocean.
Stoney Baynard Ruins
It might come as a surprise to you, but Hilton Head has historic ruins. The Stoney Baynard Ruins date back to a late 1700s plantation. It was once a grand antebellum plantation that overlooked Calibogue Sound.
Now it’s free-to-visit ruins with remnants of walls made from oyster shells. This type of concrete is called tabby and it uses burnt oyster shells to make lime and then combines that with sand, ash, water, and broken oyster shells.
The ruins have a couple of walking paths, and each of the ruined structures have signs that provide more information about the plantation and buildings’ histories.
You can visit anytime from sunrise to sunset, and it’s free to visit. No tickets necessary.
Sea Pines Forest Preserve
Another free thing to do on Hilton Head Island is explore the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. This is a very lush area of the island, providing a safe space for nature to flourish. It’s a well-protected preserve with nature trails intertwined with marshes and maritime forests.
You can walk over the wetlands on the elevated boardwalks and be immersed in nature. You’ll hear birdsong, see movement in mud, and enjoy a quiet experience away from some of the busier areas of Hilton Head.
Overall, this area is very peaceful and a pleasure to explore. You can expect to see lizards, turtles, and birds. Do keep your eye out for a chance to see an alligator.
The forest preserve also offers boat tours for more unique perspectives of Hilton Head’s nature.
It’s also special for its 4,000-year-old Sea Pines Shell Ring, which is an ancient archaeological site made from shells.
Two dolphins we saw while kayaking
Kayaking from Shelter Cove
My absolute favorite thing to do on Hilton Head is kayak in the Broad Creek Tidal Estuary. Shelter Cove is one of the best areas to set off because you’ll have access to one of the most significant components of Hilton Head’s ecosystem.
If you’re a fellow nature lover and want to do something in Hilton Head off the beaten path, I highly recommend doing this guided kayak tour with a naturalist. This is a little introductory field guide to the flora and fauna of the Broad Creek, and it’s a treat to discover.
And bonus! There’s a good chance you’ll spot dolphins We saw four different dolphins during our excursion and two of them got very close, splashing us with their fins.
But you’ll see loads of oyster walls, spartina grass, egrets, and other wildlife along the way.
For the most comfortable weather, I’d suggest booking the tour early in the morning or in the evening at 6 p.m. You’ll get to experience the low tide and watch it slowly rise as you return to Shelter Cove.
Shelter Cove at Sunset
If you book the 6 p.m. nature kayak tour from Shelter Cove, you’ll finish up around 8 p.m., giving you the perfect opportunity to watch the sun set from Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
The colors are vibrant on this side of the island, as the sun sets in the west. Stroll the marina, watch for wildlife, browse shops, or enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants all while soaking up some beautiful sunset views over the estuary and marina.
Benny’s Coastal Kitchen
A trip to Hilton Head warrants a nice dinner out, and my pick is Benny’s Coastal Kitchen. It’s a seafood restaurant with a creative menu, catering to all sorts of diets, set along the Calibogue Sound.
It’s a nicer restaurant, so feel free to dress up. They have indoor and outdoor seating. I personally loved the back patio, but there is also a rooftop bar.
Benny’s overlooks the water and there is a pier you can walk out onto. The restaurant is also family-friendly with some outdoor games and activities for kids to enjoy.
As for the menu, I am a vegetarian, but I was so surprised to see the creative vegetarian dishes they served. I had a beetroot & goats cheese salad and vegetarian “crab” cakes.
My boyfriend got the seafood platter, but they also have catch of the day, fresh oysters, and non-seafood dishes.
Benny’s Coastal Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located by Skull Creek.
The Sea Shack
When it comes to no-frills dining on Hilton Head Island, I can’t recommend The Sea Shack enough. It’s very laidback and is famously one of the best seafood restaurants on the east coast.
Despite being a vegetarian, they have a good range of sides that are vegetarian. I had cole slaw, the BEST collard greens of my life, and hush puppies. My boyfriend had the fried seafood platter with a side salad.
In the high season, The Sea Shack does get very busy. You’ll often see a line out the building. Don’t worry though, it tends to move relatively quickly, but you can try to get there right when they open for dinner or closer to closing time.
They are closed Fridays and Sundays. Otherwise, regular hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Coffee + Pastries at Sweet Al’s Cafe
If you are looking for sweet treats while walking around Coligny Plaza, I suggest heading to Sweet Al’s Cafe. It’s a tiny building with a covered patio and a wonderful selection of daily pastries.
They have a range of sweet and savory pastries from spinach and feta puffy pastries to pop tarts, scones, and almond croissants.
Their coffee is good too, but mine had a bit too much milk for my taste.
Sweet Al’s Cafe is open every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Frosty Frog Cafe
Another Hilton Head hot spot is The Frosty Frog Cafe, which is notably less cafe and more bar. They are famous for their slushy machines serving up boozy frozen daiquiris. Flavors range from banana creme and piña colada to white russian and strawberry shortcake.
If you’re visiting Hilton Head with family, they also have non-alcoholic frozen slushies. Overall, the vibe is family-friendly as well. They serve pizzas, tacos, and appetizers.
Surprisingly, you can also grab your drinks to-go. Yep! Grab a Frosty drink and take onto the beach or back to your accommodation.
The Frosty Frog is also located in Coligny Plaza and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fish Camp Beach
Last but certainly not least, Fish Haul Beach is a tucked away beach on the northside of the island. It’s more so a local’s spot, so if you visit please keep this in mind and be respectful.
It’s not the best for swimming as there are a lot of shells, crabs, oysters, and other marine life in the water. But that’s exactly why you need to visit.
Fish Haul Beach is where the ocean meets the marsh, and during low tide you can see loads of little crabs, scavenge for seashells (just make sure there is not a crab living in it), see clam beds, walk out onto the sandbar for unique perspectivities, climb rocks—you name it.
There’s also a pier—perfect for taking in the views if you’re not visiting during low tide.
Note that you should wear shoes if you do want to walk around. Someone is always getting cut on a shell around there.
Rent a House on Hilton Head Island, SC
Staying at a rental house in Palmetto Dunes or Sea Pines is one of the best ways to take your family vacation to the next level. You’ll get more quality time, home-cooked meals together, gorgeous views, a convenient place to put your bicycle rentals, and a cozier experience than staying in a hotel or condo.
Some of the houses can be a bit of splurge, so definitely try to book in advance to get the best deal.
We stayed in this beach house with an indoor pool during our Hilton Head family vacation and it MADE our trip. At just 5 minutes from the beach, we easily cycled to and from (entering at marker 85), and had the pleasure of being able to cycle to places like the Palmetto Dunes General Store and even many of the shops and eateries.
Other Activities for Couples in Hilton Head or Families
While these are some of the absolute best things to do in Hilton Head for an immersive stay, there are loads of other things to do in and around Hilton Head. This is especially true if you’re staying a week or longer. Here are some of the recommendations.
- Day trip to Savannah, Georgia
- Take a ferry to Daufuskie Island
- Mini Golf at Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf
- Dolphin watching boat tour
- Disappearing island + dolphin tour
Getting Around Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
One of the best things about visiting Hilton Head is how easy and enjoyable it is to get around. The island is incredibly bike-friendly, with over 60 miles of scenic bike trails and even hard-packed beaches that you can cycle on. Renting a bike is not only convenient—it’s also part of the experience.
If biking isn’t an option or you’re going from one side of the island to the other, Hilton Head is very drivable and parking is generally accessible at the main beaches, shopping centers, and parks. Some areas like Sea Pines do require a day-use fee if you’re entering by car, so keep that in mind.
There’s also the seasonal Breeze Trolley, which runs free routes around popular areas like Coligny, Shelter Cove, and the beach parks.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by those looking visiting Hilton Head Island, SC.
Buy me a coffee
