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Photo by Eric Horan
Hilton Head means beautiful beaches, and every year over two million visitors flock here to enjoy the warm sunshine and beautiful, sloping shores of the Island. More than 12 miles of beaches encircle Hilton Head.
All beaches are public from the ocean to the high tide mark, but not all have “public access,” meaning the beaches lie within private gated communities and are for residents and guests only.
There are seven beaches that have public access and offer a variety of amenities.
Our Public Access Beaches:
- Alder Lane Beach Access (2 Woodward Avenue, adjacent to the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort off South Forest Beach Rd., map); amenities include seasonal lifeguards, beach matting, metered parking, outdoor showers, and restrooms.
- Burkes Beach Access (60 Burkes Beach Rd., off William Hilton Pkwy. at the end of Burkes Beach Rd., next to Chaplin Community Park, map); this beach is unguarded, and amenities include metered parking and outdoor showers.
- Coligny Beach Park (1 Coligny Circle, off Coligny Circle at the end of Pope Ave., map); amenities include seasonal lifeguards, beach matting, free parking, interactive water fountain, outdoor showers, restrooms, seasonal beach rentals, and free WI-FI.
- Dreissen Beach Park (64 Bradley Beach Rd., located mid-Island at end of Bradley Beach Rd., map); amenities include seasonal lifeguards, beach matting, boardwalk, grills, metered parking, outdoor showers, permit parking, picnic pavilion, playground, restrooms, and seasonal beach rentals.
- Fish Haul Beach Park (unguarded, 124 Mitchelville Rd., located off Beach City Rd., map); this beach Is unguarded, and amenities include beach matting, free parking, outdoor showers, and restrooms.
- Folly Field Beach Park (55 Starfish Dr., located mid-Island off Folly Field Rd., map); amenities include seasonal lifeguards, beach matting, boardwalk, metered parking, outdoor showers, restrooms, and seasonal beach rentals.
- Islanders’ Beach Park (unguarded, 94 Folly Field Rd., located mid-Island off Folly Field Rd., map); amenities include seasonal lifeguards, beach matting, boardwalk, grill, metered parking, outdoor showers, permit parking, picnic pavilion, playground, and restrooms.
Beach hours are daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. During the winter, the hours change with Daylight Savings Time to 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Things To Know:
- Mile markers are provided along the beaches in case of emergency.
- Fishing, flying kites and throwing frisbees are prohibited in areas that are designated as swimming areas.
- Motorized vehicles, except wheelchairs, are prohibited.
- Alcohol is not permitted on the beaches, although there are several beach bars you may enjoy.
- All powerboats and waverunners must stay 100 yards offshore and are not permitted on the beaches.
- Walking through the sand dunes and picking or cutting of dune plants is not permitted.
- All living creatures must stay on the beach, although shelling is encouraged.
- The rules pertaining to dogs are confusing so check the signs posted to see when they are permitted on the beach and whether or not they require leashing. One rule is clear, however: you must clean up any messes!
Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Season:
One very important consideration for beach-goers between early May and late August, is endangered loggerhead turtle nesting season.
If you happen to come across a nest, do not touch it; do not leave beach accessories (such as umbrellas and chairs) on the beach overnight; and fill in all holes from digging and building sand castles; then contact the Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol (843-338-2716), the Town of Hilton Head (weekdays, 843-341-4690), or the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Hotline (800-922-5431). They will answer any questions. Fines and jail time can be enforced upon those who disrupt the nests of these endangered species.
Please make every attempt not to litter and to keep the beach as beautiful as when you first arrived. Just leave your footprints.
For any additional information about our beaches, contact the Beach Information and Services at (843) 342-4580, or visit the Town of Hilton Head’s website.
For more information, see Inzanouts Hilton Head.
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