12 Best Things to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Planning a trip to Hilton Head Island and wondering what to do? You’re in the right place!

I love this laid-back South Carolina island for its mixture of beaches and wildlife. There are so many outdoor adventures on offer here, and no shortage of ways to get out on the water! But with so many different ways to experience the island, how do you know what’s actually worth your time?

Well, that’s where I can help! I’ve been visiting Hilton Head Island with my family for years, and I’ve picked up plenty of favorites along the way. In this guide, I’m sharing 12 of the best things to do on Hilton Head Island, from free beaches and nature walks to dolphin cruises and pirate ship adventures. Let’s dive into one of my favorite islands!

Hilton Head Island at a Glance

Hilton Head Island is easy to explore once you get your bearings, but a little planning goes a long way! After visiting with my family for years, these are the tips I think are most helpful.

Important Tip: Have a car – Hilton Head is more spread out than you might expect!

Have your own wheels: A rental car or your own vehicle is the easiest way to get around, especially since attractions can be 10–25 minutes apart. Keep in mind that driving into Sea Pines requires an entry fee, and summer Saturdays can bring heavy traffic as vacation rentals turn over, so plan for extra travel time if you’re coming onto the island on a Saturday during peak season.

Stay near Coligny Beach: This is one of the most convenient areas to base yourself, with the beach, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. It’s nice being able to park the car and explore on foot!

Book ahead: Hotels and popular tours can fill up, especially during the busy summer months. I recommend booking a few months ahead when possible and making reservations for any must-visit restaurants too.

How I would spend 3 days on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is the perfect mix of beautiful beaches, wildlife, and laid-back Lowcountry adventures! With three days, you’ll have plenty of time to see the highlights while still enjoying the island’s easygoing pace. Here’s my plan for three fun days on Hilton Head:

🚲 Day 1: E-Bike Around the Island and Relax at Coligny Beach
Explore Hilton Head by e-bike, visit the Coastal Discovery Museum, and finish the day with some downtime at Coligny Beach.

🏝️ Day 2: Discover Daufuskie Island and Explore Harbour Town
Take a guided tour to Daufuskie Island before spending the afternoon exploring Harbour Town and climbing the famous lighthouse.

🐬 Day 3: Kayak or Spot Dolphins and Enjoy Coligny Beach
Choose between a guided kayaking tour or a dolphin-watching cruise, then enjoy a flexible final afternoon before dinner and drinks near Coligny Beach.

Things to do on Hilton Head Island

1. Cruise around Hilton Head in search of dolphins 

Hilton Head is surrounded by beautiful waterways, and one of the best ways to explore them is from the water. So I booked this 90-minute dolphin cruise for my family to see more of the island and hopefully spot some of its most famous residents!

The tour leaves from Palmetto Bay Marina and cruises along the calm waters of Broad Creek, which is a very scenic part of Hilton Head. We loved sitting back and taking in the marshy coastline while keeping an eye out for dolphins, and there was plenty of local birdlife to spot along the way, too.

Of course, the dolphins were the best part! Hilton Head is home to a huge population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, so it’s one of the best places in the area to see them in the wild. In fact, dolphin sightings are guaranteed on this tour, so you know you won’t be disappointed! 

Our guide also shared lots of interesting information about Hilton Head’s dolphins and the surrounding ecosystem as we cruised, so we came away knowing much more about the wildlife here than we did before.

This is also a very easy activity to fit into a Hilton Head itinerary. It only takes 90 minutes and it’s suitable for pretty much anyone who loves wildlife. And with 1,600+ glowing reviews, we’re clearly not the only ones who loved it!

2. Uncover the incredible stories of Daufuskie Island

Of everything my family and I did in Hilton Head, this guided tour of Daufuskie Island was our favorite! Daufuskie is only accessible by boat and is still pretty undeveloped, so this tour showed us a completely different side of the Lowcountry.

Even the journey there was part of the experience. We cruised across from Shelter Cove Marina and spotted some dolphins along the way! Our captain also pointed out landmarks around Hilton Head and the neighboring islands, so it was a good way to sightsee.

Once we reached Daufuskie, we swapped the boat for golf carts and set off to explore the historic side of the island. This tour is incredibly comprehensive, with stops at important sites including the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School, as well as local artisan shops.

For us, though, learning about Daufuskie’s Gullah history was the most fascinating part. The island has deep ties to Gullah culture, and hearing the stories of the community while actually visiting the places connected to that history made everything feel so much more real. It gave us a completely different perspective on this part of South Carolina.

I also loved how much variety there was throughout the day, and I have to give a shoutout to our guide, Pippi, who was so friendly and entertaining! This tour was such a unique experience, and I think that if you’re only going to do one thing in Hilton Head, it should be this! 

3. Look for wildlife on a guided nature kayak 

One of the best ways to experience Hilton Head’s Lowcountry scenery is from the water, and this 2-hour guided kayaking tour takes you right through the heart of it! It starts at Shelter Cove Marina, where you’ll get a quick paddling lesson before heading out into Broad Creek. You’ll explore salt marshes and smaller creeks along the way, so this is a nice chance to see a quieter side of Hilton Head.

Of course, one of the most exciting parts is looking for wildlife! Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are often spotted around Broad Creek, and you may also see manatees and plenty of birdlife along the way. How cool is that?

Your naturalist guide will also teach you about the local ecosystem and Hilton Head’s history as you paddle, so there’s much more to this tour than simply kayaking around for a couple of hours.

And don’t worry if you’ve never kayaked before because no previous experience is necessary. The pace is pretty leisurely, and groups are capped at 15 people, so you won’t feel like you’re being herded around in a huge tour group.

I think this is an excellent choice for nature lovers, especially if you want to get active while seeing some of Hilton Head’s wildlife up close. Plus, with over 1,700 rave reviews, it’s clearly a very popular way to explore!

4. Soak up the sun at Coligny Beach Park

If you fancy a beach day while you’re in Hilton Head, Coligny Beach Park is one of the best places to go. This is one of Hilton Head’s most popular public beaches, so it’s definitely not a hidden gem. However, that does mean there are lots of facilities here, including restrooms and outdoor showers, changing areas, shaded seating, and even beach matting that makes getting onto the sand much easier.

It’s also totally free to visit – yep, even the parking is free! It’s so easy to visit, and it’s great for families because everything you need is close by. We spent a few hours swimming and relaxing on the beach here, and then walked over to Coligny Plaza for lunch and a browse around the shops.

The beach itself is wide and sandy, with plenty of space to spread out, although it does get busy during peak season. If you’re visiting in summer, arriving earlier in the morning definitely makes parking easier.

This isn’t the beach to choose if you’re searching for complete peace and quiet, but I love its lively vibe! It’s fun and convenient, so it’s definitely worth spending a few hours of your trip here.

5. Set sail on a pirate adventure aboard the Black Dagger

If you’re visiting Hilton Head with kids, this pirate adventure aboard the Black Dagger has to be one of the most fun things you can do! This 90-minute cruise turns sightseeing into a full-on pirate adventure, so it’s especially good for younger kids who might not be too excited about a standard boat trip.

And they really commit to the theme! Before you even board, the kids get pirate names, face paint, temporary tattoos, and a lesson in how to walk and talk like a pirate. Then it’s time to set sail from Harbour Town aboard the Black Dagger and begin the hunt for hidden treasure!

Along the way, there are plenty of games and challenges to keep everyone involved, including an epic water cannon battle against the wonderfully named Stinky Pete. The crew stays in character throughout, which makes such a difference with an experience like this. It’s so much fun for kids, and a great way to make some special vacation memories. 

For families with young kids, we think this one is an absolute winner! But don’t just take our word for it, because you can read hundreds of positive reviews here.

6. Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum

If you want to learn more about Hilton Head beyond the beaches, the Coastal Discovery Museum is well worth a visit. It’s also free to visit (although donations are encouraged), and it offers much more than just indoor exhibits. 

The museum is set on the historic Honey Horn property, so you can wander through the gardens and enjoy views of the salt marsh as you visit the historic buildings around the grounds. There’s even a butterfly habitat, so it almost feels like part museum, part nature walk!

Inside, the exhibits focus on the Lowcountry’s natural history, wildlife, ecology, Gullah culture, and Hilton Head’s heritage. The museum is also a Smithsonian Affiliate, so there’s plenty of substance here if you want to dig a little deeper into the area.

I think this is especially handy for a rainy day or a really hot afternoon when you want a break from the beach. You can take things at your own pace, and there’s enough variety to keep both adults and kids interested.

It’s worth checking the schedule before you go, too. The museum regularly runs extra programs, guided walks, talks, farmers markets, and family activities. Some of these do charge an additional fee, but we still think this museum works out to be one of the most budget-friendly things to do in Hilton Head! 

7. Sail Hilton Head on an America’s Cup yacht

If you want to get out on the water in Hilton Head, this 90-minute sailing trip aboard an America’s Cup yacht is such a cool way to do it. The boat is a 39-foot (12-meter) Stars & Stripes yacht that actually competed in the America’s Cup, so this feels a lot more special than your average sightseeing cruise!

You’ll set sail from Harbour Town and head out along the Intracoastal Waterway, with beautiful views of the Lowcountry coastline along the way. Because you’re traveling under sail rather than listening to the constant hum of a motor, it’s also a really peaceful way to see this side of Hilton Head.

One of the things I love about this tour is that you can be as involved as you want. If you fancy getting stuck in, you can help the crew raise the sails and even have a go at the helm. Or you can simply sit back on deck and enjoy the ride!

There’s also a chance of spotting dolphins while you’re out on the water, which is always a nice bonus. You can even buy drinks on board, including soda, beer, and wine, so you can grab something to sip while you sail. We think it’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon out on the water, with a fun touch of sailing history involved – well, when in Hilton Head, right?

8. Explore Hilton Head’s highlights on two wheels

Hilton Head has miles of bike trails, so exploring on two wheels is one of the best ways to get around. And if you don’t fancy working too hard, this 2-hour guided e-bike tour makes things even easier!

The tour starts at Shelter Cove, where your guide will show you how to use your Pedego electric bike before you set off. So if you’ve never ridden an e-bike before, don’t worry. They’re pretty simple to get the hang of, and the electric assistance means you can cover much more ground without tiring yourself out too much. 

As you ride along Hilton Head’s bike trails, your guide will share stories about the island’s history, wildlife, and Lowcountry culture, so it’s much more than simply cycling around. You’ll come away knowing more about the island, too!

Another big plus is that the group is capped at just six people, so this is one of the most personal tours on my list. You won’t be trying to follow a huge line of bikes, and there’s plenty of opportunity to chat with your guide along the way. For anyone who likes being active but doesn’t necessarily want a strenuous workout on vacation, I think this is such a fun way to explore Hilton Head!

9. Walk the trails at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

If you want to swap the beach for something a little quieter, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is perfect. It’s free to visit and sits just off Hilton Head Island, so it’s easy to reach by car, but it feels much more peaceful once you’re out on the trails.

The refuge is made up of flat trails and gravel roads, so you can explore on foot or by bike while taking in marsh views and keeping an eye out for wildlife. This is especially good for birdwatchers because the refuge sits along the Atlantic Flyway, and you can see everything from herons and egrets to ibis and migratory birds.

You may also spot turtles, deer, and even alligators, so there’s plenty to look out for beyond the birdlife! Ibis Pond is one of the best places to stop, especially if you’re hoping to take photos or see lots of activity in one spot.

We would definitely recommend visiting in the morning or later afternoon because a) it’s cooler and b) this is when the wildlife tends to be more active! It’s a win-win, and for us the early start was definitely worth it because we got to see so much wildlife.

Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, as some sections of the trails have limited shade, and bug spray is also a must. You’ll want comfortable shoes to walk in, and of course you’ll need water – that South Carolina heat and humidity is no joke! But as long as you’re prepared, this makes for a fantastic self-guided nature experience, and it offers a nice change of pace from Hilton Head’s busier beaches.

10. Drive your own Creek Cat

If sitting back on a sightseeing boat sounds a little too tame for you, then this 2-hour Creek Cat tour lets you take the wheel yourself! You’ll drive your own small motorized boat around Hilton Head while following a professional guide, so it’s a much more adventurous way to explore the waterways.

And you cover a lot of ground (or water, rather!) on this tour. You’ll travel for over 25 miles (40 kilometers), passing some of Hilton Head’s best-known sights, including Harbour Town Lighthouse and Harbour Town Golf Links. You’ll also cruise past Daufuskie Island!

What I really like about the Creek Cats is that their small size means you can get into marshes and wildlife-rich areas that bigger sightseeing boats can’t reach. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for critters like eagles, ospreys, otters, and egrets as you go.

You’ll have a guide leading the way throughout, so you still get all of the benefits of a guided tour while having the fun of driving your own boat. It’s the best of both worlds! Plus, there are multiple departure times available throughout the day, which makes this pretty easy to fit into your plans. It’s definitely one of the most fun ways to get out on the water in Hilton Head!

11. Fly over the water on a thrilling parasailing ride

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush in Hilton Head, we had such a fun time on this parasailing adventure! We did it as a family, and it ended up being one of those experiences we know we’ll always remember.

We went up in pairs, with my husband and older daughter flying together, while my younger daughter and I went second, but you can go up in groups of three also, depending on the weight of the passengers and the conditions. You take off and land right from the back of the boat, which made the whole experience feel surprisingly easy. We felt safe the entire time, and once we were in the air, the views were incredible!

You’ll soar high above Calibogue Sound, with views over Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island, and the Harbour Town Lighthouse. You’re up in the air for around 8–10 minutes, but it honestly felt much longer to us!

On our trip, we actually ended up being the only family booked, so we had the entire boat to ourselves. That definitely isn’t guaranteed—we just got lucky—but it made the experience feel completely personalized.

Flights are typically done in pairs or groups of three depending on weight and conditions, and you can choose to stay completely dry or ask for a dip before landing. We opted for the dip and got to skim our toes through the water on the way back in!

Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins while you’re cruising, too. Between the boat ride, incredible views, and thrill of parasailing, this was such a memorable Hilton Head experience for our whole family, and I’m sure yours will love it too!

12. Spend a relaxed afternoon around Harbour Town

Harbour Town is one of the places we always visit while in Hilton Head, and it’s definitely worth spending a few hours here! My family and I love wandering around the marina, watching the boats come and go, and of course, seeing the famous red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse up close.

Parking can be a little tricky here, especially during busy times, so keep that in mind when planning your visit and allow some extra time to find a spot or look for the valet in the back of the main lot.

The Harbour Town Lighthouse is one of the main attractions, and you can climb to the top for views over Calibogue Sound and the surrounding marshland. There are also displays inside about Hilton Head’s history and the lighthouse itself, so there’s actually quite a bit to see on the way up.

After that, Harbour Town is a nice place to just wander. We like to grab an ice cream, watch the boats, browse the boutiques, or stop somewhere by the water for lunch or drinks. During certain times of year, there’s also live music under the Liberty Oak, which makes the area even more fun, especially in the evening.

Harbour Town itself is free to explore, although there’s usually a $10 USD Sea Pines vehicle entry fee if you’re driving in. And since you’re already inside Sea Pines, this is a great one to combine with Sea Pines Forest Preserve on the same day!

Where to Stay on Hilton Head Island

If it’s your first time visiting Hilton Head, I recommend staying near Coligny Beach for easy access to the beach, restaurants, shops, and more. From relaxing resorts to budget-friendly hotels, there are plenty of great options in and around this area. Here are my top picks for every budget and travel style!

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island  – $$$ 

If you want to splurge a bit while staying close to Coligny Beach, Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a great choice. While it’s technically located in Shipyard, it’s roughly a 25-minute walk or a quick bike ride to Coligny Beach Park.

One tip if you’re traveling with kids: go for a ground-floor terrace pool-view room. You can get in and out easily while the kids are asleep, and you’ll also have direct access to the beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent through a third party, which works out cheaper than the resort’s $50 daily rate.

Food can add up quickly at a resort, so the mini fridge comes in handy if you want to save a little. You can also drive to local restaurants for dinner. Shipyard has paved trails and bike rentals too, so it’s super easy to get around. Prices usually start around $220 USD per night, depending on the room and season. Check your dates and book your luxury resort stay here!

Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island – $$

My family and I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a hotel, but we also wanted to be close enough to walk everywhere, so Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island was an easy choice. It’s roughly two blocks from Coligny Beach Park, and the free seasonal Breeze Trolley stops right here, connecting you to places like Folly Field Beach.

We got way more than we expected for the price, and that rooftop pool was definitely a bonus. It’s the perfect spot for cocktails and snacks while enjoying the views. Our room had a balcony overlooking the pool, and you can probably guess where we spent our mornings, drinking coffee in our pajamas!  Or, grab your Starbucks favorite from The Bistro in the lobby and take it up to the rooftop.

Prices typically start at around $140 USD per night. Browse current prices and book your great value stay here!

Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island – $

For a more budget-friendly stay that’s still close to the beach, Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island is definitely a great bargain. It’s right across from Lowcountry Celebration Park, so the location really couldn’t be more convenient. 

I also love the newly transformed space. Yes, everything feels fresh! The hotel sits between two scenic lagoons and is surrounded by massive oak trees, which gives it a nice, peaceful feel. You also get free breakfast, lawn games, bike rentals, and a golf cart trolley to shuttle you around. Need I say more? 

You can even bring up to two dogs for a fee, and parking is available for $10 USD per day. Prices typically start at around $120 USD per night, which is a bargain if you ask me. Read the great reviews and book your budget stay here before it sells out!

Looking for other options? Check out all the hotels on Hilton Head Island here!

Thanks for Reading!

Hilton Head Island is one of those places my family and I never get tired of visiting! From relaxing on the beach to spotting dolphins and exploring the Lowcountry by boat, there’s always something fun to do. I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing Hilton Head getaway and discover a few new favorites of your own!

If you’re exploring more of South Carolina, check out more USA travel guides here. You’ll find more itineraries, things to do, and helpful tips to make planning your next trip a little easier. Or here are a few of my favorites to get you started!

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