There’s a reason Hilton Head Island is one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S. – in the summertime, our little island is a true paradise!
The days may be hot, but our beautiful white sand beaches are the perfect place to cool off! And the beaches aren’t the only attraction on Hilton Head; there are plenty of family-friendly events & activities.
Here are a few of our favorite things to do on Hilton Head Island in the summer:
Hit the golf course(+ mini golf for the kids!)
One of the things that makes Hilton Head Island so famous is its golf course. Sea Pines Resort in particular is known as one of the top golf destinations in the world. There are multiple golf courses to choose from in Sea Pines, including the famous Harbour Town Golf Links & Atlantic Dunes. You can also book a private lesson or vacation golf package! Learn more about Sea Pines golf here.
While we love the courses in Sea Pines Resort, the island is home to more than 26 golf courses! You can explore them all here.
Have little ones? Hilton Head also has a few really fun mini golf courses, including Legendary Golf, Adventure Cove Mini Golf & Arcade and Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf.
Check out the wildlife in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve
Hilton Head Island is also home to a variety of unique wildlife – from alligators to Egrets to Great Blue Herons. If you love nature, head to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve and hike the trails! View marshes and wildlife from a boardwalk at Old Lawton Rice Field, explore a secluded forest on the boardwalk through the Vanishing Swamp or enjoy a picnic along the banks of Fish Island! Learn more here.
Explore the beaches & playgrounds
Visiting the beaches in the summertime is a must! There are several beaches with lifeguards and equipment rentals (including chairs and umbrellas) during the summer. Designated swim areas are located at Alder Lane Beach Access, Coligny Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park. However, lifeguards patrol the entire 13.5 miles of beach.
Several beach access points also have showers & other amenities. If you have kids, you can also find playgrounds at Driessen Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park. Coligny Beach has a fun splash pad and is walking distance to several shops & restaurants – plus the new Lowcountry Celebration Park, which features a fun pirate ship-themed playground!
Sea Pines Resort also has its own beach access and Beach Club which includes its own restaurant and beach bar.
Bike the island
A great way to see all that Hilton Head Island has to offer is to hit the bike paths! There are more than 60 miles of multi-use trails on the island, making it a cycling paradise. If you don’t own a bike or can’t bring it with you, don’t worry – there are plenty of bike rentals located on the island. You can also rent special beach cruisers to explore the entire shoreline!
Book a kayak, SUP tour or boat tour
Want a new perspective of the island? Hit the water! From kayaks to Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) to dolphin boat tours, there are plenty of options to choose from.
There are also a ton of themed boat tour options, including romantic sunset cruises, private fishing charters, pirate-themed boat tours and even a mermaid encounter boat tour!
Check out the different water adventures available from Sea Pines Resort here and Mermaid of Hilton Head here.
Go shopping & boat watching in Harbour Town
If you love shopping, you should check out the unique shops in Harbour Town! While you’re there, you can also walk around the marina and tour the famous lighthouse & museum.
The little ones will also love the Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town!
Enjoy a meal with a view(+ Live music!)
Harbour Town also has a variety of delicious restaurants. Two of our favorites include Harbourside & Quarterdeck, both of which offer outdoor seating and nightly live music from 4-7 p.m. all summer long!
There are more than 20 waterfront restaurants in total on the island.
Sing along at a Gregg Russell concert
Speaking of Harbour Town – one of our favorite summer traditions is singing along at one of Gregg Russell’s concerts under the Liberty Oak Tree! Gregg’s shows are great for kids & adults alike, and he performs all summer long.
Watch fireworks over the water
Another Hilton Head tradition is hosting a variety of fireworks shows during the summer months – and not just for the 4th of July.
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina puts on a fireworks show over the water every Tuesday night from June through August as part of their Harbourfest celebrations. Harbourfest also features live music and other entertainment.
Nearby Shelter Cove Towne Centre also hosts Summer Jams, an event put on by the Island Rec Center which features family-friendly DJ dance parties, bounce houses, vendors and concludes with the Tuesday night fireworks shows.
