Courtesy Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
Hilton Head has little to prove as a first-rate beach destination. The 12-mile barrier island, nestled along South Carolina’s coast, stashes 26 championship golf courses, an impressive farm-to-table scene, and a 60-mile network of bike paths between its shorelines. Unlike other resort towns, however, Hilton Head feels folded into the landscape itself. That equilibrium is intentional, born from an ethos instilled by developer Charles Fraser, who led the initiative to establish the land as America’s first eco-planned community in the 1950s. The payoff: A quieter, wilder retreat where pristine wetlands, soaring palmettos, and moss-mantled oaks are inherent parts of the local character.
FRIDAY
Courtesy Navadise Media
CHECK-IN ➞ Beach House Hilton Head Island’s oceanfront location is unbeatable for convenience, situated mere steps from Coligny Beach and a short walk from the Coligny Plaza shopping hub. Inside, the family-friendly boutique hotel’s 202 rooms are decked in coastal blues, nautical rope furniture, and photography of local landmarks. The recently renovated resort pool, where guests can enjoy coconut shrimp dipped in Disonarro cream under private cabanas with mini fridges and TVs, is heated year-round.
EVENING ➞ On the northern end of the island, Skull Creek Boathouse is a favorite choice for freshly caught fish and sparkling waterway views from the sweeping outdoor patio. The wide-ranging menu features a choose-your-own-adventure ceviche section with nine seafood options dressed in four different styles. The casual, convivial Dive Bar, an attached sushi stand with Lowcountry personality, provides sashimi and small bites, like smoked salmon deviled eggs sprinkled with red tobiko.
Following your meal, raise a toast to the day back at the hotel’s adjacent watering hole, Tiki Hut, an island institution since 1977. Almost unrecognizable after a $13 million facelift, the thatch-covered hangout is everything you want in a beach bar: It’s completely open air, sits directly on the sand, and hosts nightly live music. Order the Frozen Alligator, made with DeKuyper melon liqueur, ice cream, and piña colada mix, alongside a basket of frozen grapes. You’ve got nowhere else to be, so recline on an Adirondack chair or one of the plush outdoor couches to soak in the Atlantic breeze and rollicking atmosphere.
SATURDAY
MORNING ➞ Begin your day with a sunrise stroll along the shore, combing for shark teeth, sea glass, and lettered olives, South Carolina’s state shell. Pocket your treasures, then grab a bite at Nectar Farm Kitchen, an easygoing brunch spot that sources many of its ingredients from local growers. Expect heaping portions of Southern classics, such as tomato pie with gouda and feta and baskets of buttermilk and sweet potato biscuits. Dr. Joe’s Duck Hash, a plate of pulled roasted duck and root vegetables blanketed with over-easy eggs, is transportive.
Courtesy Outside Hilton Head
In shape, Hilton Head is often compared to a foot. To start today’s journey, you’re traveling less than a mile north to the Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina to kayak on the “shoelace,” aka Broad Creek, which runs through the middle of the island. Set out on a naturalist-led tour with Outside Hilton Head and glide across the tidal estuary, past oyster beds and masses of cordgrass. You’re liable to glimpse egrets, pelicans, and otters, but summer is also peak time for seeing dolphins, as migratory pods join the population of approximately 170 that reside in the area’s waters year-round.
AFTERNOON ➞ Drive south for a well-deserved lunch at Relish Thai Cuisine. Set in an intimate nook warmly lit by bare-bulb fixtures, the space’s offerings showcase the family-oriented approach to cooking taken by owner Sintana “Na” Chanasit. Try her specialty, a traditional khao soi made with ropes of egg noodles, bean sprouts, and plentiful aromatics in a spicy coconut-milk curry broth. The minty, greens-stuffed summer rolls are perfect vehicles for house-made peanut sauce.
A straight shot down Greenwood Drive will lead you to the launching point for the trails at the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, 605 acres of protected maritime forest and freshwater lakes. There’s no bad way to experience the scenic territory, whether by pedaling (bike rentals are available nearby at the Shops at Sea Pines Center), hiking, or traversing on horseback atop a steed from Lawton Stables. Wildlife, such as great blue herons and alligators, are common sights, but be sure to check out some of the 15 immense live oaks, as well as the 4,000-year-old shell ring archaeological site built by Native peoples.
Courtesy Discover South Carolina
EVENING ➞ Next, wander around Harbour Town, the area’s most famous locale, with the iconic cane-striped lighthouse as the centerpiece. Climb the 114 steps to the top, stopping along the way to inspect memorabilia dating back to the Civil War, and see the entire district spread out around you. On the main promenade, peruse the galleries and boutiques that arc around the marina, like Honey & Thistle, stocked with curated wines and meads, plus imported goods from the British Isles. Drop in at 32 Degrees North for rugged outdoor apparel. A few doors away, Coastal Treasures carries tableware made from recycled aluminum, beachy jewelry, and topography prints that make story-worthy souvenirs.
For dinner, head to Sea Pines Resort for a meal at Quarterdeck, which encapsulates much of Hilton Head’s high-end low-key charm, mixing unfussy yet elegant seaside decor with sophisticated dishes. Snag a rooftop seat and watch the setting sun paint the sky over Calibogue Sound while slurping charcoal-roasted oysters or she-crab soup, a regional specialty. Stick with what’s fresh: The local catch, resting over a creamy blue crab and corn chowder drizzled with truffle oil, is an excellent finale.
SUNDAY
MORNING ➞ Leave bright and early for breakfast at Hilton Head Social Bakery, a perpetually bustling patisserie operating out of a former Dairy Queen. The South Island location, owned by Normandy-born, Paris-trained chef Philippe Feret, offers 35 to 45 types of pastries per day, ranging from flaky croissants to glistening tarts topped with seasonal berries. Linger over a cappuccino and kouign-amann (buttery, layered pastries with a caramelized exterior) and let your eye wander to Feret’s 1941 Indian motorcycle, displayed reverently behind the counter.
On your way out of town, head to the free-to-enter, Smithsonian-affiliated Coastal Discovery Museum for a comprehensive introduction to the history and ecology of Hilton Head. Meander through the 68-acre grounds of the property to explore a historic horse barn, enclosed butterfly habitat and garden, and three wooden boardwalks that extend into the salt marsh. Then, visit the main building, a preserved 19th-century Carolina farmhouse, whose collection showcases indigenous artifacts, horseshoe crabs, and a rotating exhibition space that highlights Lowcountry artists.
• • •
Living Legacy
The circle remains unbroken at these Gullah cultural sites
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
This 36-acre site features interpretive signs, representations of historic structures, and guided tours that tell the story of the first self-governed town for Freedmen, established in 1862.
Ma Daisy’s Porch
Housed in neighboring Bluffton’s historic district, this newly opened compound’s vendor marketplace, history center, restaurant, and two massive blue bottle trees all serve as homages to Gullah customs and traditions.
Binya
Founder Lola Campbell’s small boutique carries gifts inspired by her heritage, such as prints and books by Gullah artists, candles and soaps by local makers, and woven sweetgrass baskets.
This article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of Southbound.
