The Ultimate Guide to a Beach Vacation at Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a fantastic destination for a beach vacation. This family-friendly island boasts miles of bike paths, delicious dining, unique parks, and wide sandy beaches perfect for boogie boarding. If you’re planning a trip, here’s everything you need to know!

Best Time to Visit Hilton Head

The ideal time to visit Hilton Head is early summer, when the weather is warm and the island is less crowded than during the peak of the season. If you visit in mid-summer, be prepared for larger crowds and heavier traffic. We’ve visited several times in June and always found the weather to be lovely, the parks pleasantly uncrowded, and plenty of room on the beach for our chairs.

Where to Stay on Hilton Head Island

• Courtyard Hilton Head on Pope Ave – Our top pick! This hotel features a fantastic rooftop pool, clean and comfortable rooms, and an unbeatable location within walking or biking distance of the beach, parks, and restaurants. Our kids especially loved the rooftop pool and how easy it was to ride bikes to the beach.
  
• Palmera Inn & Suites – Our favorite budget-friendly stay! While you’ll need to drive to the beach, this hotel makes up for it with a lovely pool, a generous complimentary breakfast, and clean, spacious rooms with kitchenettes. Our kids especially enjoyed the breakfast, the roomy suite, and the time spent at the pool.

Best Beaches

• Coligny Beach – This was our go-to beach thanks to its close proximity to our hotel. It offers excellent amenities, including restrooms, showers, and a fun splash fountain for kids. That said, it can get quite crowded. For a quieter experience, we found a more peaceful access point just down North Forest Beach Drive.
  
• Avocet Rd Beach Access – Located just a short walk from Coligny Beach, this access point is next to Pool Bar Jim’s (don’t miss their amazing cold coffee!). It’s much less crowded but still offers a beautiful stretch of sand.

Biking Around the Island

Renting bikes for the week is a great way to explore Hilton Head! We biked to the beach, restaurants, and parks, taking full advantage of the island’s extensive bike paths. You can even take your bikes onto the sand and bike along the beach, which is a fun and scenic experience. This is one of the more unique things you can do on Hilton Head Island.

Family-Friendly Activities on Hilton Head

• Low Country Celebration Park – A unique playground featuring a giant pirate ship, safe climbing structures, water play areas, and walking paths. There’s even a small river where you can watch alligators swim! Our kids loved visiting this park every evening. We love playing Crazy Bocce on the large open field.
  
• Bike Paths – Hilton Head is covered with miles of scenic bike paths, making it easy to explore the island safely with kids. You can ride through shaded trails, along the beach, and to many of the island’s attractions.
  
• Mini Golf – The island has several fun mini-golf courses perfect for families. Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf and Legendary Golf are great spots for a fun afternoon.

Where to Eat on Hilton Head Island

We’ve visited Hilton Head Island many times over the years and always love their restaurant scene. There are many family-friendly restaurants in Hilton Head, and these are our top picks.

• Watusi Cafe – Fantastic gluten-free options and a delicious breakfast menu.
• Nakama Sushi Bar & Grill – A must-visit for sushi lovers.
• New York City Pizza – Great for a casual meal.
• Frosty Frog Cafe – Our kids’ favorite! We ate here multiple times because of the fun games we could play while waiting for our food and the amazing gluten-free pizza.
• Rita’s Italian Ice – A perfect spot for a refreshing treat after a day at the beach.

What to Pack for a Beach Vacation

A successful beach trip starts with smart packing, especially when you’re traveling with kids. Whether you’re spending the day on Coligny Beach, biking around the island, or splashing in the pool, here are our tried-and-true essentials for a fun and comfortable Hilton Head vacation.

Beachwear & Accessories

• Two swimsuits per person – Trust me, putting on a dry suit for your afternoon beach session is a small luxury.
• Large beach towel per person – We use ours as a blanket when the wind picks up and to dry off before our trek back to the hotel.
• Rashguards and wide-brim hats – Hilton Head sun can be strong, so these are a must during midday hours.
• Slip-on sandals or Crocs – Easy to clean, great for sandy toes, and perfect for quick transitions from beach to bike.
• Lightweight beach umbrella – We bring one that’s super easy to set up solo, which comes in handy for parents juggling kids and gear.

Sun & Heat Protection

• Neutrogena sunscreen stick – Great for quick touch-ups on faces and ears.
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF – Our go-to for full coverage that doesn’t feel sticky.
• Small battery-powered fans – Ideal for cooling off little ones (and mom!) during peak heat hours.

Gear for Sand & Water Fun

• Mesh backpack for beach toys – Easy to carry, rinse, and shake out the sand.
• Sand Toys – Shovels, buckets, molds, and a sifter are our usual go-tos for building sandcastles and digging holes.
• Goggles – Great for spotting underwater treasures and protecting little eyes from saltwater splashes in the waves or pool.
• Shell collection bag – Our kids love searching for shells, and this keeps their treasures contained.
• Boogie boards – This is our kids’ favorite activity on the Atlantic Ocean. The waves at Hilton Head are fantastic during high tide and pleasant at low tide, making it a fun option for kids of all ages.
• Tidal Ball – One of our favorite beach games! It’s perfect for Hilton Head’s wide, flat beaches. You can find it at local shops or order ahead of time from Amazon.

Want to see our favorite beach gear in one place?
We’ve pulled together all our most-used beach items on our Amazon storefront, including our favorite beach umbrella that actually stays put in the wind to the best goggles for kids. These are the things we pack every time we head to Hilton Head (or any beach), and we’ve loved using them trip after trip.

Beach Tips

• Spending Time at the Ocean – We spend most of our time at the ocean when visiting Hilton Head because it’s free and so much fun! The waves, soft sand, and endless beach activities make it the highlight of our trip. We bring boogie boards, sand toys, frisbees, and tidal ball to enjoy while at the ocean.
  
• Parking – Public parking at Coligny Beach requires a bit of a walk. However, there’s a pull-through at the beach entrance where one parent can drop off kids and gear while the other parks.
  
• Beach Chair Rentals – If you don’t want to lug chairs and umbrellas, consider renting them. They’re set up for you each morning and taken down in the evening. This is the company we used, and we had a great experience!
  
• Traffic – Summer traffic can get heavy, so plan accordingly. Biking is often faster and more convenient than driving! Walking is also a great option, and the sidewalks are wide and connect most restaurants and shops.
  
• Beach Day Packing Tips – Bring a stick sunscreen for quick reapplication, hats, and a beach umbrella for sun protection during the heat of the day. Pack plenty of water and Gatorades to stay hydrated, along with easy snacks or a picnic lunch to enjoy at the beach.

Hilton Head Island is the perfect spot for a relaxing and fun-filled beach vacation. Whether you’re biking along scenic trails, enjoying fresh seafood, or playing in the waves, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to go back! If you’re interested in more tips for planning a family vacation to the beach, check out this post where we outline everything we consider in our vacation planning!

Happy Travels! 💛
Michelle