THIS CONTENT WAS PRODUCED FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND BY the foundry @ MEREDITH CORP. TRAVEL + LEISURE EDITORIAL STAFF WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ITS CREATION OR PRODUCTION.
Hilton Head Island offers 12 miles of some of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the country, which means there’s wide open spaces for all and there’s something to suit everyone. Low wind and wave energy means these beaches boast calm waters and abundant tidal pools. Whether you’re eager to spot a sea turtle nest (nesting season is from May to October) or some of the more than 220 species of birds native to the island—including osprey, egrets, and bald eagles—or would rather spend the day playing in the water and then cooling off with cocktails at a beach bar, there’s a Hilton Head Island beach that’s right for you. And with each beach 45 minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), you can seamlessly go from plane to sand before your next meal.
Find the right beach for you by clicking on a beachgoer profile on our interactive map. Are you a nature lover? A history buff? A surfer? There’s something for everyone.
Fish Haul Beach Park
Mitchelville Beach Park
Islanders Beach Park
Folly Field Beach Park
Driessen Beach Park
Burkes Beach
Chaplin Community Park
Coligny Beach Park
Alder Lane Beach
Island
Fish Haul Beach Park
Perfect for: Nature lovers
What makes it special: Strolling down this short pathway to the beach, birders will find migrating and local shorebirds before spying crabs in the salt marshes. Keep busy looking for seashells and driftwood (beachcombing is one of this beach’s most popular activities, and there’s a treasure trove of things to find), or play “guess the animal tracks” on the sand—nature-minded travelers will find so much room to explore here.
How to access the park: Head straight for the shore; with ample parking, you'll be beachfront in no time.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Perfect for: History buffs
What makes it special: Explore a wooded park with walking trails, a wetlands observation deck, a picnic pavilion, and—of course— access to one of the island’s most untouched beach landscapes. In addition to the wide open ocean, you’ll also get access to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, a living museum of the first self-governing town of formerly enslaved people in America. It’s an incredible experience for anyone looking to witness the trappings of democracy.
How to access the park: It’s located right off Beach City Road, with plenty of parking all around the park.
Islanders Beach Park
Perfect for: Families looking for fun
What makes it special: Locals love Islanders Beach Park. With an entertaining playground and a picnic pavilion with shaded tables, grills, and bike racks, it’s made for family fun—and also convenience; with restrooms, outdoor showers, and wheelchair-accessible beach mats leading to the water, it’s a place where anyone and everyone can go.
How to access the park: There are a few metered spots in the parking lot, but visitors may find it easiest to get dropped off or bike to this soft-sand beach. Walking paths, a boardwalk bridge, and mats make it simple to get around.
Folly Field Beach Park
Perfect for: Watersports fans
What makes it special: Going over a bridge through a dense coastal forest, you’ll be transported to Folly Field Beach Park; this popular family beach has lifeguards on duty and is ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, and all sorts of water fun. And once you dry off, you can ride your bike directly on the firm, flat beach during low tide. Amenities include water fountains, restrooms, and outdoor showers.
How to access the park: There’s ample metered parking, allowing you to breeze right onto the beach. This wheelchair-accessible beach has a wooden boardwalk bridge as well as matting on the sand.
Driessen Beach Park
Perfect for: Bona fide beach lovers
What makes it special: At Driessen Beach Park, the journey is as much fun as the destination. Head down the long boardwalk that winds through sand dunes and tidal marshland and keep a lookout for herons and other wildlife. At the end of the boardwalk you’ll be treated to a wide stretch of sparkling sand—along with seasonal beach rentals like umbrellas and water craft—to keep you comfortable and entertained. Amenities include a playground, outdoor showers, lifeguards, restrooms, picnic pavilion, and grills.
How to access the park: Driessen Beach Park has plenty of metered parking. Be sure to bring beach shoes for the boardwalk and seashell-heavy spots.
Burkes Beach
Perfect for: Surfers and boarders
What makes it special: This idyllic beach—located right next to the dog-friendly Chaplin Community Park—feels like a miniature paradise, and locals consider it to have the best waves for surfing and boarding anywhere on the island. Whether you bring your own long or short board or rent locally—or just want to watch from the shore as others ride the waves—Burkes Beach is an ideal spot.
How to access the park: There are 13 metered parking spots here, but Chaplin Community Park also has ample free parking only a short walk away.
Chaplin Community Park
Perfect for: Dog lovers
What makes it special: Not only does it offer beach access to Burkes Beach, but Chaplin Community Park has paved nature trails, open fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic pavilion, playground, and an off-leash dog park so that everyone in the family can burn off some energy. (Dogs are welcome on the beach itself before 10am or after 5pm.)
How to access the park: The park has its own (spacious) free lot.
Coligny Beach Park
Perfect for: High-energy beachgoers
What makes it special: One of the most popular, bustling beaches on Hilton Head Island, Coligny Beach Park welcomes sunbathers, swimmers, bikers, volleyball players, kids, and anyone who wants to spend a few hours (or more!) on the pristine sands and in the sparkling calm water. Amenities include volleyball nets, swings, water fountains, changing stations, a kids’ splash pad, outdoor showers, lifeguards, wheelchair mats, and umbrella rentals. Beachside bars and restaurants make mealtime a sunny treat, and the beach is also conveniently located near more than 60 shops at bustling Coligny Plaza, as well as the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum and the (adjacent) new Lowcountry Celebration Park. At low tide, you can rent bikes and bike up the beach to Burke’s Beach, just five miles away. Bringing your four-legged friend? Dogs are allowed on the beach after 5pm and before 10am.
How to access the park: With free beach parking and Hilton Head Island’s seasonal trolley service, The Breeze, visitors have their choice of inexpensive and convenient ways to get to Coligny Beach Park.
Alder Lane Beach
Perfect for: Tranquility seekers
What makes it special: One of the southernmost public beaches on Hilton Head Island is the low-key Alder Lane Beach. Here, you’re likely to have the sunshine, wildlife, and stunning, wide-open shoreline practically all to yourself, meaning you’ll have tons more time to frolic in the gentle waves. Seasonal lifeguards and accessibility matting makes this beach friendly to everyone.
How to access the park: The beach is just a bike ride away from many south end communities, and there’s also hourly parking in a lot across the street.
Ready to explore Hilton Head Island? Start planning your trip here.
