🌞 Things to Do · Hilton Head Island
Things to Do on Hilton Head Island
82 real, verified things to do across beaches, golf, water sports, history, nature, and Bluffton’s Old Town — organized by area, not a generic “best of” list.
⛳ 19 Golf Courses
✅ Verified Direct Sources
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⛳ Golf
🚤 Water Sports
🏖️ Sea Pines
🛍️ Shopping
🎪 Family Fun
🏛️ Arts & History
🐊 Nature
🚴 Biking
🪖 Spas
🎷 Nightlife
🌳 Bluffton
📅 Events
FAQ
Hilton Head Island is a resort island built around golf, beaches, and a network of gated plantations — but the real trip also includes Pinckney Island’s alligator ponds, Harbour Town’s candy-striped lighthouse, and Old Town Bluffton’s May River waterfront across the bridge. We checked each attraction, course, and outfitter directly against its own site rather than pulling from a generic aggregator list.
Public Access Points
Coligny Beach Park
Public oceanfront beach park with a boardwalk, showers, and restrooms next to Coligny Plaza — the island’s most popular beach access.
Alder Lane Beach Access
Public beach access point with parking, showers, and a dune walkover on South Forest Beach Drive.
Folly Field Beach Park
Public beach park on the island’s north end with parking and restroom facilities.
Driessen Beach Park
Public beach park near Folly Field with a playground, picnic shelters, and beach access.
Burkes Beach Access
Smaller public beach access point on the island’s north end, popular for a quieter stretch of sand.
Islanders Beach Park
Public beach park with volleyball courts and restrooms, popular with locals.
Fish Haul Creek Park
North-end park combining beach access with the historic Mitchelville site and a marsh boardwalk.
19 Courses Across Every Plantation
Harbour Town Golf Links
Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Sea Pines, home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage and the island’s candy-striped lighthouse backdrop.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
Oceanside Sea Pines course, a redesign of the former Ocean Course.
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Sea Pines course designed by Pete Dye, formerly known as Sea Marsh Golf Course.
Robert Trent Jones Course
Palmetto Dunes oceanfront course with lagoons winding through the layout.
George Fazio Course
Palmetto Dunes course, the island’s only par-70 championship layout.
Arthur Hills Course
Palmetto Dunes course that has hosted collegiate tournaments.
Shipyard Golf Club
27-hole facility (Brigantine, Galleon, and Clipper nines) near Shipyard Plantation.
Port Royal Golf Club
27-hole club (Barony, Planter’s Row, and Robber’s Row courses) in Port Royal Plantation.
Oyster Reef Golf Club
Rees Jones-designed public-access course in Hilton Head Plantation.
Palmetto Hall Plantation Club
36 holes split between a Robert Trent Jones Jr. and an Arthur Hills course.
Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run
Semi-private Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
Country Club of Hilton Head
Rees Jones-designed semi-private club.
Long Cove Club
Private Pete Dye-designed club highly rated among golf course architects; guest access is limited.
Old South Golf Links
Public Bluffton course with Intracoastal Waterway and marsh views, designed by Clyde Johnston.
Island West Golf Club
Public Bluffton course, a Fuzzy Zoeller/Clyde Johnston design.
Hilton Head National Golf Club
Public Bluffton course with a Gary Player Signature nine plus a second nine.
May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff
Private Jack Nicklaus Signature course at the Palmetto Bluff resort community.
Colleton River Club
Private Bluffton club with two courses, one Jack Nicklaus-designed and one Pete Dye-designed.
Belfair Club
Private Bluffton club with two Tom Fazio-designed courses.
Dolphins, Kayaks & Deep Sea
Outside Hilton Head
Outfitter running dolphin eco-tours, kayak and SUP tours/rentals, sunset cruises, and Daufuskie Island tours from Shelter Cove Marina.
Vagabond Cruise
Narrated dolphin-watching and sightseeing boat tours departing Broad Creek/Shelter Cove Marina.
H2O Sports
Parasailing, jet ski rentals, and watersports based at Shelter Cove Marina and Palmetto Dunes.
Commander Zodiac
Small-boat dolphin-watching nature cruises departing Harbour Town Marina in Sea Pines.
Live Oac
Guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard eco-tours through the island’s Lowcountry salt marshes.
Miss Carolina Sportfishing
Offshore and inshore fishing charters departing Skull Creek Marina.
Shelter Cove Marina
Full-service marina and hub for charter boats, dolphin tours, and watersports rentals.
The Island’s Signature District
Harbour Town Lighthouse
Candy-striped 1970 lighthouse with an observation deck and small museum — the island’s most recognizable landmark.
Harbour Town Marina & Yacht Basin
Picturesque marina lined with shops, restaurants, and charter boats in Sea Pines.
Sea Pines Forest Preserve
605-acre nature preserve inside Sea Pines with walking trails, lagoons, and a Native American shell ring.
Stoney-Baynard Ruins
Tabby ruins of an early-1800s plantation house inside the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
Lawton Stables
Horseback trail rides and a small petting farm located inside Sea Pines.
South Beach Marina Village
New England-style waterfront shopping and dining village at the south end of Sea Pines.
The Salty Dog Cafe
Iconic waterfront restaurant and retail brand at South Beach Marina.
Plazas & Outlets
Coligny Plaza
Long-standing open-air shopping center near Coligny Beach with dozens of shops and restaurants.
Shelter Cove Towne Centre
Open-air shopping and dining center off William Hilton Parkway.
The Village at Wexford
Upscale shopping and dining center on the south side of the island.
Tanger Outlets Hilton Head
Two outlet shopping centers (Tanger 1 and Tanger 2) on US-278 near the island.
Harbour Town Shops
Boutique shops surrounding the Harbour Town Marina and lighthouse.
Kid-Friendly Stops
The Sandbox — A Hands-On Children’s Museum
Interactive children’s museum with hands-on educational exhibits on Hilton Head Island.
Museums, Galleries & Historic Sites
Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Nature and history museum on a historic 68-acre former plantation property with trails and gardens.
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
Performing and visual arts venue (Self Family Arts Center) hosting theater, concerts, and gallery exhibits.
Mitchelville Freedom Park
Historic site of Mitchelville, the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the U.S., established 1862.
Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum
Historic cemetery containing the Baynard Mausoleum (1846), the oldest standing structure on Hilton Head Island.
Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve
Native American shell ring archaeological site inside Hilton Head Plantation.
Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) Gallery
Artist-run gallery in Old Town Bluffton showcasing regional painters and sculptors.
Heyward House Historic Center
Mid-1800s historic house museum that also serves as Bluffton’s official welcome center.
Church of the Cross
Historic 1854 Episcopal church on the May River in Old Town Bluffton, one of the area’s most photographed landmarks.
Old Town Bluffton Historic District
Historic riverfront neighborhood with 19th-century homes, churches, galleries, and shops along the May River.
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
Regional professional orchestra performing a seasonal concert series on the island.
Preserves & Eco-Sites
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
4,000+ acre federal wildlife refuge on the causeway to Hilton Head with hiking/biking trails and an alligator and wading-bird pond.
Audubon-Newhall Preserve
50-acre Audubon Society nature preserve with self-guided nature trails through maritime forest.
Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve
SC DNR-managed coastal preserve near Bluffton with trails through longleaf pine and salt marsh.
Waddell Mariculture Center
South Carolina DNR research facility near Bluffton studying marine aquaculture, with occasional public tours.
Whooping Crane Pond Preserve
Hilton Head Island Land Trust preserve with a boardwalk trail overlooking a freshwater pond.
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
Nonprofit organization monitoring loggerhead sea turtle nests along the island’s beaches each summer, with public education programs.
Paths & Parks
Hilton Head Island Multi-Use Bike Path Network
Extensive island-wide network of paved multi-use paths connecting beaches, parks, and shopping areas.
Jarvis Creek Park
Town park with a walking/biking trail loop, playground, and dog park off William Hilton Parkway.
Resort & Day Spas
Faces Day Spa & Salon
Long-established day spa on Hilton Head Island offering massage, skincare, and salon services.
Heavenly Spa by Westin
Full-service resort spa at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.
Spa Montage at Montage Palmetto Bluff
Resort spa at the Montage Palmetto Bluff property in Bluffton.
Bars, Pubs & Live Venues
The Jazz Corner
Live jazz supper club in the Village at Wexford, a long-running island nightlife institution.
Big Bamboo Cafe
Tiki-themed bar and restaurant with live music near Coligny Plaza.
Reilley’s Grill & Bar
Longtime island sports bar and restaurant, a popular gathering spot.
Quarterdeck Topside Bar
Waterfront bar overlooking Harbour Town Marina with regular live music.
The Mainland Gateway Town
Bluffton Oyster Company
Historic working oyster factory on the May River, one of the last hand-shucking operations in South Carolina.
Bluffton Farmers Market
Weekly outdoor farmers market on the Calhoun Street promenade in Old Town Bluffton.
May River
Scenic tidal river bordering Old Town Bluffton, popular for its public boat landing, sandbar, and waterfront views.
Calhoun Street Promenade
Bluffton’s historic main street lined with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Established Yearly Draws
RBC Heritage
PGA TOUR Signature Event held every April at Harbour Town Golf Links, one of the tour’s longest-running stops.
Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival
Multi-day culinary festival held each March featuring tastings and chef events.
Gullah Celebration
Annual February festival honoring Gullah heritage and culture, including the Native Islander Gullah Celebration.
Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival
Multi-day classic and exotic car show held each November.
Visit Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival →
Hilton Head Island Marathon
Annual marathon and half-marathon road race held each February.
Planning Tips for This Area
- Golf is the island’s signature activity. Public-access courses (Palmetto Dunes, Oyster Reef, Old South, Island West) don’t require a plantation membership; several others (Long Cove, Colleton River, Belfair) are private with limited guest access.
- Plantations charge non-guest vehicle fees. Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Shipyard, and Port Royal each charge for day access if you’re not staying inside.
- Bluffton is worth a half-day trip. Old Town Bluffton’s May River waterfront, galleries, and Calhoun Street shops are a short drive from the island and often less crowded.
- RBC Heritage week (April) changes everything. Traffic, dining reservations, and course access around Sea Pines tighten up significantly during PGA TOUR week.
How many golf courses are on Hilton Head Island?
Around 19 courses across the island and neighboring Bluffton, spanning public, semi-private, and private clubs — including Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage.
What’s the best public beach access on Hilton Head?
Coligny Beach Park is the most popular and most developed, with a boardwalk and full amenities next to Coligny Plaza. Folly Field, Driessen, and Alder Lane are quieter public alternatives.
Is Bluffton worth visiting from Hilton Head?
Yes — Old Town Bluffton sits on the May River a short drive from the island, with historic sites, galleries, a farmers market, and its own dining scene distinct from the island’s resort restaurants.
How does NME choose which attractions to feature?
We verify each attraction, course, or outfitter directly against its own official site rather than relying on aggregator lists, and we exclude anything we can’t confirm firsthand. Read more on our methodology page.
Know Something We Missed?
If you know a great attraction, tour, or activity on Hilton Head Island or in Bluffton we’re missing, email us and we’ll take a look.
Heading to Hilton Head Island?
See the full trip guide — where to stay and where to eat, organized the same way, by area.
