Favorite Hilton Head Beaches

If you are looking for fun in the sun, look no further than Hilton Head Beaches....the most popular of all Hilton Head activities.

Known for their sparkling white sand along the Atlantic shoreline, I consider these beaches some of the best in South Carolina.

With the Island’s warm weather and tropical setting, the beaches here are ideal for family outings, sun worshippers and water enthusiasts alike.

The beaches have this unique, gradual slope towards the ocean that make for gentler waves in most areas.

This makes it perfect for kids and creates a wider area of beach to partake in your favorite beach activity.

Whether it’s basking in the sun for that perfect tan, shelling, wading the surf, bicycling, jogging or even volleyball, there is plenty of beach for which ever you choose.

Kids will be ecstatic to adventure past the rolling dunes and tall sea grasses as they look for just the right spot to build that castle in the sand.

Bring your camera; it will surely make for a memorable vacation.

There are many beaches that make up Hilton Head’s 12 mile stretch of beach.

The beaches begin at Calibogue Sound in the Sea Pines Resort’s south end, then wrap around Sea Pines Resort's southern tail up the Atlantic coast until you reach Port Royal Sound in Hilton Head Plantation.

Although all of the Hilton Head beaches are public, most of the accesses to the beaches are private, unless you are staying at one of the Hilton Head Resorts or gated communities.

To accommodate visitors who do not have the private access, the Town of Hilton Head provides public access to the beaches at the below locations. They all have pay parking except for Islanders Beach Park.

---

Alder Lane Beach – off South Forest Beach Drive (Wheelchair Accessible)

Coligny Beach Park - off Coligny Circle (Wheelchair Accessible)

Fish Haul Park - at the end of Beach City Road

Driessen Beach Park - end of Bradley Beach Road (Wheelchair Accessible)

Burkes Beach Access - at the end of Burkes Beach Road

Folly Field Beach Park - off Folly Field Road (Wheelchair Accessible)

Islanders Beach Park - off Folly Field Road. (Wheelchair Accessible)

---

Coligny Beach Park

Most popular with families, Coligny Beach is the busiest of all the Hilton Head beaches.

It just so happens, this well maintained beach is one of my favorites.

Volleyball nets are available for the sport fanatics.

Additionally, beach chairs, umbrellas, Hobie Cats and bicycles can be rented.

If you need to quench your thirst, visit the Tiki Hut. An outdoor bar just steps away from the beach, at the Holiday Inn Beach House.

With live music during the season, it’s a great way to end the day and watch the sunset.

There is ample parking at the town parking lot for a nominal fee.

The beach entrance has a play area with a fountain for children, as well as free changing rooms, rest rooms and showers.

If shopping or a bite to eat is in your schedule, visit Coligny Plaza for shops and restaurants.

It’s walking distance from the beach and well worth the visit.

Folly Field Beach Park

---

Folly Field Beach is located just south of Port Royal at Starfish Road off of Folly Field Road.

It is most commonly used by surfers, body boarders and wind surfers due to the stronger waves and winds.

Like many other Hilton Head beaches, amenities available include public restrooms, water fountains, beach rentals, sand showers and seasonal life guards on duty.

There is also a picnic section as well as a small playground for kids making it a popular beach for families.

If you don’t plan on walking or biking to the beach, public parking is limited with only about 51 spaces that are metered, so come early!

A long boardwalk from the parking lot will take you to the beach followed by beach matting for wheelchair accessibility.

Folly Field Beach is also home to Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort, a collection of villas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

If you are the Folly Field area, visit Coco’s on the Beach. Coco’s is a beachside bar and grill with island music and volleyball.

Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere with friends and family against a backdrop of breathtaking ocean views.

---

Alder Lane Beach

Alder Lane Beach is just south of Coligny Beach, off of South Forest Beach Drive.

It’s really considered the Forest Beach area due to Forest Beach Drive running parallel north and south with the Atlantic Ocean.

Unlike other Hilton Head beaches, Alder Lane Beach is not a park and therefore tends to be less crowded.

However, it still offers some of the best beach in Hilton Head and is well maintained by the town.

Public restrooms, outdoor showers and vending machines are available for your convenience as well as seasonal lifeguards on duty.

Alder Lane Beach is also home to the Marriott Grand Ocean Resort, a five-story 290 room luxury resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Meter parking is available with 22 spaces across the street on Woodward Drive with wheel chair accessibility via beach matting once you cross the beach boardwalk.

---

Driessen Beach Park

Driessen Beach Park, also known as Singleton Beach area, is located at the end of Bradley Beach Road off of William Hilton Parkway

Like many of the parks in Hilton Head, Driessen Beach Park has public restrooms, outdoor showers, seasonal beach rentals as well as seasonal lifeguards on duty.

Driessen Beach Park accommodates family fun with a children’s playground, picnic pavilion, picnic tables and a grill.

The beach has plenty of parking with its 207 meter parking spaces as well as wheel chair accessibility with its beach matting.

Although the boardwalk to the beach is very long, its scenic surroundings make the walk timeless.