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Beach Regulations
The beach regulations are posted all along the beach. For the most part they are logical rules designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for those using the beach. For example, there are restrictions regarding playing Frisbee, flying stunt kites and fishing in "designated swimming areas" (those listed above) because these are activities that could cause injury to those on a crowded beach. The regulations are enforced by the lifeguards and sheriff's deputies.
Four regulations you might not expect are:
-No alcoholic beverages are permitted on any part of the beach.
-You may not beach a power craft (including wave runners) on any beach , and they must be operated more than 150 Yards offshore, for the protection of swimmers.
-You may not walk on the sand dunes, as they are very fragile and are our protection against storm surge from gales and hurricanes.
-You may not remove any living creature from the beach (hermit crabs, starfish, sand dollars, etc.). What you think is a shell could be a hermit crab's home.
Dogs love the beach, but not everyone loves dogs (some people fear them). Consequently there are rules regarding dogs on the beach which vary depending on the time of year. Few vacationers bring dogs because it's difficult to find housing that will accept pets, but if you bring your dog, make sure you are aware of the restrictions. Above all, pick up after your pet. Be aware joggers are common on the beach and dogs like to chase them.
About the Beaches
Introduction
Hilton Head offers about 14 miles of beach. Most of it is along the Atlantic Ocean coast, some is along the Calibogue Sound, some on the Port Royal Sound at Port Royal plantation and Hilton Head plantation has a small beach next to Dolphin Head, also on Port Royal sound.
Along the beach you will see numbered markers which have been put in place to help identify the location to emergency responders. The numbers start at "one" on the Calibogue beach at Lands End in Sea Pines plantation and increment by one every tenth of a mile as you go North or East. Numbers ending in "A" "B" or "C" designate a location between the two numbers on either side and are not indicative of miles.
The beaches slope very gradually in most areas. You can go out a long way from shore and still be able to stand with your head above water (there are some places where tidal currents produce deep holes, so be careful). This gradual slope inhibits wave action, so Hilton Head is not a place to surfboard unless you are just learning. It also means the tides have a very significant effect on the width of the beach. When the tide is high, there is still a good beach from approximately beach marker 80A to Tower Beach in Sea Pines, at beach marker 13 and even as far as marker 8, and also from marker 102 to 111A. Depending on how high the tide is and when the last beach renourishment took place, other locations may prove unusable at high tide.
The sand below the mid tide line is usually hard packed enough to support a bicycle with wide tires, and biking on the beach at or near low tide is a popular pastime (you should be warned that hitting a patch of soft sand will bring you to a very sudden stop). Beach bikers have learned to check the wind direction before heading out - riding into the wind is like riding uphill, and vice versa.
There are six "public access"¹ beach areas popular with visitors (five are attended by life guards from Memorial weekend to Labor Day). Pay parking is available at all but the Islander's Beach Park, and there are reserved parking spots for those who purchase annual beach tags (available to Hilton Head property owners only).
Alder Lane
The southern most of these is located on the south side of the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort on South Forest Beach Rd. at Alder Lane. If you are staying at one of our Townhouses in Ocean Breeze, this is the furthest of two beaches, but the preferred because of privacy and amenities.
There is parking across South Forest Beach Rd at the meters for 25¢ for 15 minutes. This is a nice wide beach and is the most quiet of all the Forest Beach beaches. Amenities include restrooms and a drink vending machine. It's an easy bike ride from most south end locations. This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
Coligny Beach
This beach is located at Coligny circle at Pope Avenue and South Forest Beach Drive. It's the island's busiest beach, in part because volleyball nets are available and an outdoor bar is located just off the beach at the Holiday Inn. There are rest rooms, changing rooms, water fountains, sand showers, pay telephones and other amenities. The town has recently added mats designed to make the beach wheelchair accessible at this location. Life Guards rent beach equipment, Hobie Cats, recumbent bikes, sand trikes, umbrellas, etc.
Parking is available at the town parking lot behind the Smokehouse restaurant. It's accessible from Pope Avenue across from the Exxon station, and costs $4.00 for the day ($2.00 after 2:00 PM), with in and out privileges (keep your receipt). There is also parking closer to the beach, on Coligny Circle on the North side, but it fills up quickly. Coligny Plaza, adjacent, offers many shops and eateries. Please don't park in the Plaza to go to the beach - the merchants don't appreciate it and your vehicle could be towed.
Though this beach can become crowded in season, you have only to walk a few hundred yards North or South to get away from the crowds.
Burke's Beach
Burke's Beach is located off William Hilton parkway (278 Bus.) at Burke's Beach Rd. The parking is very limited, and there are no amenities and no life guards. There's not much reason to go there.
Dreissen Beach Park (Singleton Beach)
Dreissen beach is also off William Hilton parkway, at Bradley Beach Rd. It has Life Guards, plenty of parking, rest rooms, sand showers and vending machines. It has a playground and a few picnic tables, one with a grill nearby. The boardwalk to the beach is quite long and requires healthy legs. If you park here, note the number of your parking space and go to the machine at the building housing the restrooms to pay. It takes quarters. This beach is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
Folly Field Beach
Folly Field beach is located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field Road. Parking is somewhat limited (52 spaces at meters at 25¢ per 15 minute period), but restrooms, sand showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble. This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible. It is the favorite beach for surfers.
Fish Haul Creek Park (Mitchelville Beach Park)
This is not usually considered a beach park because the beach is on Port Royal Sound, but, although the walk from parking to beach is considerable, there is access to a little used beach. If privacy is your bag, you might want to check it out. The newly opened Fish Haul Creek Park offers a little known beach access to a beach on the Port Royal Sound. The beach there is quite private (no, not that private) but with little wave action.
Islander's Beach Club
As the name implies, this beach is intended primarily for locals. Parking is available only for those who purchase annual permits, which are limited to Hilton Head property owners. There is nothing other than that to keep visitors from enjoying this beach park - you can always have someone drop you off or go by bike. Amenities here include restrooms, changing rooms, playground, soft drink machine, sand showers and a few picnic tables. It's located off Folly Field Road at Sparkleberry Lane (actual address is 94 Folly Field Rd.). This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible.
To see a great map showing town parks and the beach parks, click here. You need Adobe reader and a bit of patience, but it's worth it. You can click on the magnifying glass on the Adobe toolbar to get details.
South Forest Beach
This public area runs from the Holiday Inn at Coligny Plaza down to the north end of the Marriott Grand Ocean. There are 6 access paths, the closest one to our Ocean Breeze Villas running along the north end of the Marriott Grande Ocean.
Other Beaches, South to North
South Beach
In Sea Pines plantation, at the "toe" of the island near the South Beach marina, is the Calibogue beach. There is no public parking, so walking or biking are indicated. There are two characteristics of this beach area that are of interest : at high tide there is little or no beach; and tidal currents will move you up or down the beach depending on flow. There are no amenities here. Otherwise, this is a pleasant and uncrowded area where dolphins and other wildlife abound.
Tower Beach
Tower Beach is located in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. This beach is intended for use by property owners, and parking is restricted to property owners, though it is otherwise accessible to anyone by bicycle or on foot. It provides restrooms, water fountains, and a picnic area with barbeque grills.
Sea Pines Beach Club
This beach is also in Sea Pines plantation on the Atlantic ocean. It offers many amenities such as restrooms, food service, a bar, picnic tables, showers, entertainment and activities for children (seasonal). It is attended by lifeguards and has some parking, which fills up quickly in season. The Sea Pines trolley provides transportation to the Beach Club from the Greenwood Drive parking lot, Harbour Town and other locations. Parking at this beach is available to anyone staying in Sea Pines.
Crown Plaza Resort
This beach is in Shipyard plantation and is accessible to those staying in Shipyard. Parking is available at the very end of Shipyard Drive, though it fills up in the busy season. Visitors to the Crown Plaza can also enjoy this beach, but consider access through the hotel to be for hotel guests only.
Palmetto Dunes Beach
In the vicinity of the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, this beach is accessible to guests staying in Palmetto Dunes plantation and can also be enjoyed by visitors to the hotel. There is a pleasant ocean front bar at the hotel from where the beach can be admired.
Westin Resort Hotel
This beach is accessible primarily through the hotel, which is limited to hotel guests. It is only a few hundred feet from the Islander Beach Club (see above).
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