The boardwalk at Barker Field overlooking the marsh is simply amazing. If you’re on the south end, visit the “toe” of the island on the beach looking at the entrance to South Beach Marina. You’ll see Harbour Town in the distance, Daufuskie Island dead ahead and the Atlantic to the left.
AWARD-WINNING PATHWAYS OFFER A QUINTESSENTIAL RIDE
There are few things more rewarding then saddling up on your bike, pointing your tire down a new pathway, and letting exploration unfold all around you. And there are few better places to enjoy a blissful bike ride than Hilton Head Island.
It’s not just in the gentle climate or the pathways that wind in and out of dense forests, beach parks and tranquil lagoon areas, it’s in the dedication that Hilton Head Island has demonstrated in creating the ultimate cycling experience.
RULES AND REGULATIONS HELP KEEP THE TURTLES SAFE
Sea turtle season is the time when sea turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs on the island’s beaches. Loggerheads nest at night to avoid predators and overheating in the summer sun, selecting a site above the high tide line. Loggerheads are listed as a threatened species by the federal government and the state of South Carolina.
Sands. Surfing. Swimming. Sunning. Shores. Sailing. Sanctuary. Whatever your vision of the “beach life” may entail, the sun-splashed beaches of Hilton Head Island offer as many experiences as there are shells on their sandy shores. From its heel to its toe, here’s an overview of some of the island’s popular beaches and hidden gems.
LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK A HILTON HEAD MUST-SEE
BY CARRIE HIRSCH | PHOTOS BY MATT GARBADE STORY AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF HILTON HEAD MONTHLY
Located on the south side of Pope Avenue between Circle Center Shopping Center and Coligny Beach parking lot, Lowcountry Celebration Park is a sought-after attraction.
The park includes a sprawling lawn, a small pavilion on a lake, a stage for events, walking trails, exercise stations, boardwalks and The Sandbox Children’s Museum.
THE LOWCOUNTRY IS FULL OF THINGS TO DO. HERE ARE A FEW FAVORITES
The outdoors allows for plenty of leisure time, so why not hit the beach. On Hilton Head, Coligny Beach is the most trafficked (and has a selection of shops and restaurants within walking distance). Burkes and Driessen are equally beautiful public beach options. The Lowcountry is a great place to enjoy lavish views. Take it all in with horseback riding and biking. The island has 6 miles of bike lanes and 117 miles of shared-use pathways.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF HILTON HEAD AUDUBON
Birding is one of America’s favorite leisure pastimes. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 45 million Americans watch birds, whether in our backyards or in a local park or far-flung destination.
The good news is that on Hilton Head Island, you don’t have to go far to enjoy great-looking birds. You just need to step outside. More than 220 bird species have been observed on Hilton Head, and fall migration is a great time to see them.
A piece of history in Palmetto Dunes and the site of many legends, the Rear Range Lighthouse in Palmetto Dunes has been restored to its former glory.
The lighthouse is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular stop for visitors.
1. Peace of mind
As the world around us seems to get more turbulent, there is something very reassuring about living in the Lowcountry. Our world in the Lowcountry seems pretty darn normal, and for once, that is a really good thing.
2. Natural beauty
There are only a few places in North America that can rival the beautiful surroundings we live in. We’re blessed us with incredible beaches, pristine tidal creeks, calming marshes, pluffmud and Spanish moss. Great vision and planning allows us to live in harmony with all the natural beauty.
Just a couple miles across Calibogue Sound from Harbour Town lies Daufuskie Island, a small, largely undeveloped barrier island begging to be explored.
A 45-minute ferry ride up the Intracoastal Waterway whisks visitors back in time when, depositing them on Daufuskie — accessible only by boat — and a world away from from the trappings of modern-day life.
• Climb to the top of the iconic lighthouse in Harbour Town for spectacular views of Harbour Town Golf Links, the Harbour Town Yacht Basin and Calibogue Sound. Need to catch your breath as you climb? Displays lining the stairs document the island’s rich natural history.
• Reserve a tour at the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head. Since 2003, the nonprofit museum has been commit ted to maintaining Gullah customs, traditions, language, stories, songs and structures in the Lowcountry. The preserved Little House is a quiet, haint-blue cottage just off Gumtree Road, built in the early 1950s before a bridge connected the island to the mainland. The museum also hosts oyster roasts and educational seminars throughout the year.
THE LOWCOUNTRY IS GOLF COUNTRY
WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, WE ARE BOUND TO HAVE IT.Coligny Plaza (One North Forest Beach Drive): The south end of the island is the heart of the vacation area. The very first shopping center on the island and a perennial favorite is Coligny Plaza. Considered Hilton Head’s “downtown” there are more than 60 stores, 15 restaurants, a unique movie theatre and even a store specializing in kites, Coligny Kite. Candy, T-shirts, and great apparel are there along with groceries, restaurants and a hardware store. Several new stores and restaurants have opened recently including The Sandbar Beach Eats, FISH Seafood & Raw Bar, Traveling Chic Boutique and the The Pelican’s Pouch.
GAME SET MATCHTennis, like golf, is a year-round activity on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. One of the top 50 tennis destinations in the United States, the Lowcountry has the courts and the competition to satisfy the most discriminating player. Oh, and Stan Smith calls this home. The area’s 20-plus tennis clubs offer more than 300 courts. All three Grand Slam courts can be found here: Clay, grass and a variety of hard surfaces. Players may access facilities on private plantations if they make arrangements. Ask for details when reserving your court time.
Fishing is a year-round activity on Hilton Head Island. For t hose that want to keep their feet on the land, lagoon and surf fishing ar e popular choices. For t hose looking for a bit more adventure, inshore and offshore fishing may be t he ticket.
A FEW PRECAUTIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERECE
RESEARCH PROPER PADDLING TECHNIQUES, WATER SAFETY AND FIRST AID.
Start by taking a guided kayak tour to get a feel for the area’s unique setting.
THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO MAKE A SPLASH
Yes, “water, water everywhere… nor any drop to drink” as Coleridge wrote 215 years ago in the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” We don’t need to drink sea water as long as we can also enjoy it by boating, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, charter boating and more.
Kayaking on calm water that surrounds Hilton Head Island is not only relaxing, it can be a great adventure, too. And the best part? Kayaking is a sport for everyone.
Bluffton began as a nat ive american enclave where tribes would fish and collect oysters, trading them along the May River. Later, it became a retreat for wealthy cotton, indigo and rice plantation owners who enjoyed the river breezes from the town’s bluff. Hence its name, Bluffton. That life revolving around gentle breezes continues today, earning the town the designation of “one of the last true Southern coastal villages.”
Sands. Surfing. Swimming. Sunning. Shores. Sailing. Sanctuary. Whatever your vision of t he “beach life” may entail, the sun-splashed beaches of Hilton Head Island offer as many experiences as there are shells on their sandy shores. From its heel to its toe, here’s an overview of some of t he island’s popular beaches and hidden gems.
