Come enjoy spring break on Hilton Head Island! The sun is out and the water is warming up, all the flowers are in bloom and the island is buzzing. Here are some of the best things to do while you’re on the island:
1. Rent a Bike
Hilton Head Island offers more than 50 miles of public pathways and nature trails for pedestrians and cyclists to explore. The flat terrain and network of bike paths make it easy for everyone to enjoy, and is why Hilton Head Island is currently the highest ranked Bicycle Friendly Community in South Carolina.
Bikes are a great alternative to rental cars, because you don’t have to deal with parking or traffic. Almost all of the bike paths are separate from the main road so kids and inexperienced bikers are safe.
Bikes are welcome on the beach too! Cycle around the South Carolinian coast at low tide when the sand near the water is firm.
Rent a Bike
2. Hit the Beaches
With 12 miles of seashore to enjoy, visitors have plenty of room to lay down a blanket and enjoy the warm weather. Hilton Head Island has six different public beach parks for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy a more natural setting, or go to a park with a shop center and restaurants. Almost all of the beach parks are handicap accessible, with beach matting for wheelchairs, and have bathrooms.
3. Go on a Dolphin Tour
There are tons of tours available to explore waters around Hilton Head Island. Dolphin tours are great for a family outing and by far the most popular tour. But there are several other tours, including alligator and wildlife tours, discovery tours and disappearing Daufuskie Island tours. Whether you want to ride on a boat, a kayak or a stand up paddleboard, tours are a fun way to explore the waters and learn about the island.
Tour the Waters
4. Enjoy the Thrill of the Water
Hilton Head is an island, so there is plenty to do out on the water. Companies across the island offer everything from wave runner, kayak and stand up paddleboard (SUP) rentals to parasailing, waterskiing and tubing. Exploring on SUPs is one of the most popular activities on the island. Visitors can go out in groups, take a SUP tour and even participate in a yoga class on these paddleboards!
A Day on the Water
5. Experience Island Arts, Culture and History
Whether you are catching a Broadway quality show at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, listening to live music, browsing galleries or touring with experts, you will discover why Hilton Head Island’s cultural scene is a can’t miss. The Heritage Library offers educational research assistance on ancestry and classes and tours with a focus on history. The Coastal Discovery Museum, set on 68 acres of historic Honey Horn property, has some of the oldest trees and buildings on Hilton Head Island and is a perfect activity for families and kids of all ages. For one of the most unique insights to the rich history of Hilton Head, take an authentic cultural tour with Gullah Heritage Trail Tours.
6. Get a Better View
Jump on a zipline, climb up a lighthouse or take an adventure flight to see Hilton Head in a different way. Just don’t forget to bring your camera!
What’s the best way to see the island and have a little fun? Ziplining! ZipLine Hilton Head has different zip lines that allow visitors to soar through trees and see the sights of Broad Creek. For an even better view of Hilton Head and the surrounding Lowcountry, go up in a safe helicopter tour with Adventure Center. Another great sight to see is the marina from the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse.
7. Find the Natural Side of the Island
Go to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge or check out the forest preserves and Mitchelville Beach to see the uncombed side of South Carolina. Pinckey is located right next to Hilton Head, just off of Highway 278. The best time to visit these 4,053 acres of marshland is during the spring when the wintering songbirds linger before migration.
The biggest preserve on Hilton Head is Sea Pines Forest Preserve, which spans 605 acres and has 8 miles of trails and bridges. Explore the swamp, marshland and forests in Sea Pines. If you’re looking for a smaller preserve, then check out the Audubon Newhall Preserve, a 50-acre forest that has a small pond. It is a little more maintained and has different identification labels on trees and plants to learn during your exploration.
8. Catch Some BIG Fish
There is a wide variety of fishing charters available on Hilton Head Island—some even specialize in shark hunting! You can go during the day and enjoy the sun or head out for an evening shark trip. The waters are full of sea bass, bluefish, cobia, sharks and barracuda. Cast a line and see what you can catch!
