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Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: An Ocean Resort for Beach Lovers

A Macaroni Review

By Eileen Wright, Publisher, Macaroni Kid Englewood-Greenwood Village-Centennial August 5, 2015
One of my favorite vacation destinations is to visit an ocean beach in a warm locale, one of the few things we don't have access to in Colorado. This year, we had the pleasure of heading to Hilton Head Island, a beach resort on the southern tip of South Carolina. We met up with several childhood friends of my husband's and their families, who came from locations across the country to converge and have fun for a week in the sun! This is a popular place for Mid-westerners to visit, although we even had a family from Grand Junction say "hello" after seeing our son's hat from Breckenridge.

Hilton Head Island is very much a family-friendly area, known for its world-class golf courses, beaches, water sports, and outdoor activities. There are even a few alligators lurking around and if you look closely, you might see one peering from a pond as we did.

Getting to Hilton Head from Denver isn't too difficult, really. We flew into Atlanta and on to Savannah, Georgia, then drove the final hour to the Island. There are also flights into Charlotte and a small airport in Hilton Head itself. Many folks on the East Coast and Midwest choose to drive. We had several friends join us from Ohio which was a 12-14 hour drive depending on their starting point.

Where to Stay
  • Sea Pines Resort. This area encompasses one-third of the Island and is a gated area bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound. It has four main neighborhoods with several dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Sea Pines is known for its quiet beaches, lush landscaping, golf, marinas, and entertainment. You can easily get around the area via miles of paved paths via bikes (rentals are very common) or a complimentary trolley. This is where we stayed, in a rented oceanfront condo just steps from the beach.
  • Forest Beach. Several years ago we rented a home in the Forest Beach area. Just outside of Sea Pines, this area bustles with activities and conveniences. Beaches are much more crowded but still lots of fun. Lots of shopping and restaurants can be found within walking distance at the Coligny Plaza.
  • Palmetto Dunes. This area boasts of three miles of beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean, tennis center, outstanding golf courses, and it's own marina. When we stayed in Forest Beach, we walked along the beach to get to this beautiful area.

What to
Do
  • Macaroni KidWhen you go on vacation, be sure to check out our National website to see if there is a local edition covering your destination. There is one for Hilton Head Island so I looked at the website and emailed the Publisher who was more than happy to pass along suggestions.
  • Beaches. White, sandy beaches are along the coast and firm enough for bikers and walkers. We visited every day and enjoyed the 80+ temperature of the water. A fisherman happened to catch a baby shark one day, a reminder that they can be found in the area. Also, several local businesses offer beach chairs and umbrellas for rent, which I highly recommend. Shop around for the best price!
  • Dolphin Cruises and Fishing Excursions. One evening we went with our party of 20+ people for a dolphin cruise. A storm passed over so we did not see many dolphins. This is an enjoyable event, but many dolphins can also be seen swimming right off the beach. If you like to fish, there are several outfits that will take you out to catch ocean swimmers such as sharks.
  • Horseback Riding. Lawton Stables is located on Sea Pines. It is a full-time International Riding Academy that also offers weekly camps, trail rides, and pony rides.
  • Bicycle Rentals. To get around the island, bicycles are highly recommended to avoid the traffic. They can be rented by the day or week, and paved trails are everywhere for your convenience.
  • Eco-Adventures. Offered on Sea Pines and elsewhere, partake in an Alligator and Wildlife Boat Tour, Fishing and Wagon Tour, or even explore the local nature preserve which offers many activities for children.
  • Golf. World class golf courses dot the island and have been home to PGA and Amateur Tour championships.
Additional activities are available including Gregg Russell Concerts, Tennis, fitness, historical tours, and more.

Where to Eat
These are just a sampling of the many dining options available on Hilton Head Island.
  • The Salty Dog Cafe (South Beach at Sea Pines). A staple establishment on the island, The Salty Dog is very laid back with a casual menu. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as live entertainment on the deck.
  • Lands End Tavern (South Beach at Sea Pines). Located right on Braddock's Cove, Land's End Tavern is the oldest continually operating restaurant on the island. They have great burgers, steaks, seafood, and even breakfast.
  • Wreck of the Salty Dog (South Beach at Sea Pines). A tad upscale but still casual, it offers great seafood dishes and steaks. We ate upstairs where we were treated to live music at the piano.
  • Cups and Cones (Harbortown at Sea Pines). As its name implies, they serve up tasty ice cream. Perfect on a hot, steamy day!
  • Harbortown Bakery and Cafe (Harbortown at Sea Pines). Serving breakfast and lunch, we enjoyed light sandwiches while exploring the sights of Harbortown.
  • Skillets Cafe (Coligny Plaza). We ate here twice, if that says anything :) Enjoyed both a scrumptious lunch and breakfast. They have a shaded patio area or you can eat indoors.

The last thing I'll mention is the weather, which was beautiful throughout our stay. However, after being in the dry air of Colorado, the humidity of Hilton Head can take your breath away until you adjust. We experienced temperatures in the 90's but with the humidity, the "feels like" temperature regularly soared above 100 degrees. As my Dad likes to say, "you could cut the air with a knife." So, be sure to drink lots of water!

DISCLOSURE: No compensation was given for this review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own.