Hilton Head Beaches

Hilton Head offers about 14 miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean coast and along the Calibogue Sound, some on the Port Royal Sound at Port Royal plantation and Hilton Head plantation has a small beach next to Dolphin Head, also on Port Royal sound.

Alder Lane

Located beside the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort on South Forest Beach Rd. at Alder Ln. Parking is across South Forest Beach Road. Meters are 25¢ for 15 minutes. This is a wide beach. Amenities include restrooms and drink vending machine. It's an easy bike ride from most south end locations. This beach is equipped with sturdy mats making it wheelchair accessible.

Coligny Beach

This beach is located at Coligny Circle at Pope Avenue and South Forest Beach Drive. This is Hilton Head island's most popular beach. There are volleyball nets and a bar located just off the beach at the Holiday Inn. There are rest rooms, changing rooms, water fountains, sand showers, a playground, and other amenities. This beach is also wheelchair accessible..

Parking is available at the town parking lot behind the Smokehouse restaurant. It's accessible from Pope Avenue across from the Exxon station, and costs $4.00 for the day ($2.00 after 2:00 PM), with in and out privileges. There are also meters closer to the beach, but they are priced at 25¢ per 15-minute period. Coligny Plaza, adjacent, offers many shops and eateries. Don't park in the Plaza or the merchants may have your vehicle could be towed. Though this beach can become crowded in season, you have only to walk a few hundred yards North or South to get away from the crowds

Crown Plaza Resort

This beach is in Shipyard plantation and is accessible to those staying in Shipyard. Parking is available at the very end of Shipyard Drive, though it fills up in the busy season. Visitors to the Crown Plaza can also enjoy this beach..

Palmetto Dunes Beach

In the vicinity of the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, this beach is accessible to guests staying in Palmetto Dunes plantation and can also be enjoyed by visitors to the hotel. There is a pleasant ocean front bar at the hotel from where the beach can be admired.

Dreissen Beach Park

Dreissen beach is also off William Hilton parkway, at Bradley Beach Rd. It has plenty of parking, rest rooms, sand showers and vending machines. It has a playground and a few picnic tables, one with a grill nearby. The boardwalk to the beach is extremely long. If you park here, note the number of your parking space and go to the machine at the building housing the restrooms to pay. It takes quarters. This beach is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.

Folly Field Beach

Folly Field beach is located on Starfish Road. Parking is limited (52 spaces at meters at 25¢ per 15 minute period), but restrooms, sand showers and water fountains are available. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble. This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.

Islander's Beach Club

As the name implies, this Hilton Head beach is intended primarily for locals. Parking is available only for those who purchase annual permits, which are limited to locals who can present an automobile registration with a local address. You can always have someone drop you off - or walk there. Amenities here include restrooms, changing rooms, playground, soft drink machines, sand showers and a few picnic tables. It's located off Folly Field Road at Sparkleberry Lane (94 Folly Field Rd.). This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.

South Beach

Located in Sea Pines plantation. There is no public parking, so walking or biking are indicated. There are two characteristics of this beach area that are of interest: at high tide there is little or no beach, and tidal currents will move you up or down the beach depending on flow. There are no amenities here. Otherwise, this is a pleasant and where dolphins and other wildlife abound.

Tower Beach

Tower Beach is located in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. The Tower beach is intended for use by property owners,and parking is restricted to property owners, though it is otherwise accessible by bicycle or on foot. It provides restrooms, water fountains, and a picnic area with barbeque grills.

Sea Pines Beach Club

This Hilton Head beach is also in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. It offers many amenities such as restrooms, food service, a bar, picnic tables, showers, entertainment and activities for children (seasonal). It is attended by lifeguards and has some parking, which fills up quickly in season. The Sea Pines trolley provides transportation to the Beach Club from the Greenwood Drive parking lot, Harbour Town and other locations. This beach is available to anyone staying in Sea Pines or who pays the $5.00 entry fee at the gate.

Westin Resort Hotel

This Hilton Head beach is accessible primarily through the hotel, which is limited to hotel guests. It is only a few hundred feet from the Islander Beach Club (see above).