Hilton Head Island Beaches

Guide to the beaches of Hilton Head and public access points, beach rules and regulations, dog and animal rules, personal watercraft rules, fishing licenses and regulations, and emergency contact information.

Hilton Head Island boasts 12 miles of expansive, hard-packed beaches which range up to 600 feet at low tide. The tide levels vary as much as 6-8 feet every 6 hours. Popular beach activities include bicycling, jogging, watersports and sun bathing. All Hilton Head beaches are public, but some access points are private and vary by location. Beach parking is plentiful and designated swimming areas are available at Coligny, Folly Field, Islander Beach and Driessen, with lifeguards on hand during the season.

Our beach guide includes Hilton Head beach information, access points and parking, beach photography, real-time tidal chart, beach rules and regulations, personal watercraft rules, fishing licenses and regulations, and local emergency contact information.

Popular beaches on Hilton Head Island include Burkes Beach, Coligny Beach, Driessen Beach, Fish Haul Creek Beach, Folly Field Beach, Hilton Head Island Beach, Islanders Beach and Mitchelville Beach. Looking for a scenic beach spot? Check out the beaches on Hilton Head Island, which was recently named a Top East Coast Beach destination!

View map of Hilton Head Island Beaches »

All Plantations with beaches have several beach access points for their guests. All major hotels on Hilton Head Island have beach access for their guests. Alder Lane Beach Access off South Forest Beach Drive has parking available with 22 metered spaces.

Dogs and Other Animals on the Beach

• NOT permitted between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Must be on a leash: Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 1 through Thursday before Memorial Day.
• Must be on a leash: Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday after Labor Day through September 30.
• Must be on leash or under positive voice control at all other times.
• Persons in control of animals on the beach are required to remove and properly dispose of the animal's excrement.
• Please take care of our beaches, Place litter in the trash receptacles provided.

Seasonal Rules (April–September)

Hilton Head Island's official beach season is April 1st through September 30th of each year. For the added protection of sunbathers and swimmers, the following activities are prohibited in Designated Swimming Areas between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. April 1 through September 30:

• Fishing or surfcasting
• Surfboards, boogie boards, etc.
• Frisbees or other team sports involving a ball.
• Games with metal components.

Rules & Regulations (Year Round)

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Department patrols the beaches and enforces all beach regulations. Violators of beach regulations are subject to fines up to $500 per each offense. The following are PROHIBITED on all beaches:

• Alcoholic liquor, beer, wine
• Glass (bottles, containers, etc.)
• Fires and Fireworks
• Littering
• Sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Disturbing the peace
• Indecent exposure (nudity)
• Disorderly conduct
• Unauthorized vehicles
• Shark Fishing
• Removal, alteration or damage to dunes, sea oats or other dune flora
• Removal, harming or harassment of any live beach fauna (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
• Unauthorized commercial activity
• Unauthorized wearing of lifeguard emblems, insignias, etc.
• Solicitation or distribution of handouts
• Kites not under manual control
• Stunt kites 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. April 1 through September 30
• Sand-sailing
• Operation, launching, or landing of unauthorized motorized watercraft

The following rules and regulations are contained in the South Carolina Personal Watercraft and Boating Safety Act of 1996.

• No personal Watercraft may be operated at night.
• All passengers on the craft must wear an approved flotation device.
• People under 16 who want to ride a watercraft of 15 horsepower or more without an adult must first pass a safety training course.
• The craft must be equipped to circle or shut off if the rider falls off.
• No vessel may exceed idle speed within 50 feet of a moored vessel or other fixed object or person, NOR WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST.
• No one may jump a wake within 200 feet of the vessel creating it.
• Anyone younger than 12 in a boat must wear a flotation device.
• No boater may harass wildlife.

In 2009, the South Carolina legislature changed our state's saltwater fishing regulations by requiring that all shore-based fishermen, residents and tourists alike, must buy a South Carolina saltwater fishing license. Up until then only boat fishermen were required to have a license. In a nutshell the new law reads, "This act requires all individuals (16 and over) to have a saltwater recreational fishing license when harvesting marine resources, including finfish, oysters, clams, shrimp and crab."

If you are fishing on a licensed pier or with a licensed charter captain, you are covered under their permit. You don't need a license if you are crabbing with 3 or less drop nets, fold up traps or hand lines. Fishermen need a license to crab with a crab trap or pot.

The minimum fine for not having a SC Saltwater Fishing License is $160 and each fisherman could be required to post a cash bond or go to jail. The maximum fine is more than $1,000. Saltwater fishing areas includes the beaches, all saltwater lagoons including those found in Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines, public boat landings, and public and private docks and piers.

Buying a Fishing License

Fishing licenses can be purchased 24/7 by phone at 1.866.714.3611 or online at dnr.sc.gov.

Getting a fishing license process is easy and inexpensive. An annual resident South Carolina saltwater fishing license is only $10 (14 day license for a SC resident license is $5). A non-resident can purchase a 14 day saltwater fishing license for $11 ($35 for the year).

Law Enforcement

Sheriff Beaufort County - Non-Emergency Dispatch - 843.785.3618
Sheriff Beaufort County - Office 843.255.3300
SC Highway Patrol - 843.726.8076

Fire Department

Hilton Head Headquarters - 843.682.5100
Hilton Head Burn Day Info - 843.341.4714

Medical

Beaufort Memorial Hospital - 843.522.5200
Coastal Carolina Hospital - 843.784.8000
Hilton Head Island Hospital Medical Center & Clinics - 843.681.6122
Hilton Head Island Hospital Emergency Room - 843.689.8281
St. Joseph's Hospital - 912.925.4100

Other Emergency Numbers

Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives - 800.800.3855
Federal Bureau of Investigation (Columbia) - 803.551.4200
South Carolina Poison Control Center - 800.222.1222

U.S. Coast Guard Marine & Air Emergencies

Charleston, SC - 843.740.7050
Tybee Island, Georgia - 912.786.5440