12 Awesome Day Trips From Hilton Head Island

Looking for an adventure beyond the shores of Hilton Head Island? Here are 12 itineraries for the best day trips from Hilton Head Island to coastal destinations like Beaufort, Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, Charleston, Savannah and beyond.

Day Trips from Hilton Head Island - Coastal Wandering

Whether you're road-tripping along the Atlantic coast or flying into Savannah for a coastal getaway, Hilton Head Island is a perfect destination to use as a "home base" for visiting the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia. You can enjoy Hilton Head's famous beaches and golf courses---and have plenty of options for nearby day trips.

From notable historic cities like Savannah to quaint towns like Edisto Beach to uninhabited areas like Ossabaw Island, all of these coastal destinations offer unique Low Country charm and relaxing beach vibes. And all are under 2.5 hours one-way from Hilton Head Island.

These day trips from Hilton Head Island are organized by travel times. So, whether you have just a morning to spend exploring or plan on making your adventure a full sunrise to sunset experience, it's easy for you to choose a destination that suits your travel plans.

And while all of these coastal destinations are planned as full-day itineraries and are mapped from Hilton Head Island, any of these day trips can easily be made from Savannah as well.

You will definitely need a car for these itineraries. If you're flying into the Savannah/Hilton Head airport, search for the best Savannah car rental deals here. Renting a car is the easiest way to get to Hilton Head Island from the SAV airport (it's a 55-minute drive).

The Best Under 30-Minutes Day Trip Destination From Hilton Head Island

If you're looking for a fantastic day trip destination only a short drive from Hilton Head Island, you need to check out Bluffton, SC.

Bluffton, South Carolina on the May River

Bluffton, SC

You'll find the town of Bluffton, South Carolina located just a short drive west on the US-278. This sweet little Lowcountry town is filled with historic charm. With a rich history stretching all the way back to the Colonial era, the variety of historic attractions – like the Heyward House, the Church of the Cross and plenty of antebellum-era homes – makes the Old Town historic district a must-see for history buffs.

Suggested Bluffton, SC day trip itinerary:

9:30 am – 10:00 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, SC
10 am – 12:30 pm: House & Walking Tour at Heyward House (by appointment only)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch at Corner Perk Café
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Check out the Bluffton SC Farmers Market (Thursdays only)
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Visit the Church of the Cross
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: May River Dolphin Excursion (make sure to book this in advance)
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab dinner and drinks at Calhoun Street Tavern in historic downtown
6:30 – 7:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Bluffton, SC day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, SC?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, SC: 7.6 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Towns: Approximately 11 - 15 minutes

Coastal Day Trip Destinations Under 1-Hour From Hilton Head Island

Savannah, Beaufort and Daufuskie Island are all just a short drive or ferry ride from Hilton Head Island. These fantastic coastal destinations are all great options for full or half-day day trips from Hilton Head Island. Here's what your day trip to each of these towns could look like.

Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah - Coastal Wandering

Savannah, GA

You’ll most likely fly into the Savannah airport if you’re traveling to Hilton Head Island by plane. I'd recommend heading back for a day trip – Savannah is such a fantastic city to explore! Between the downtown Savannah Historic District and the Savannah River front, there are so many things to do in Savannah. And while the Hilton Head Island to Savannah drive is quite easy, you can also take a boat between these two destinations.

Suggested Savannah, GA day trip itinerary:

9:30 am – 10:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Savannah
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Take a stroll through Forsyth Park to view the famous fountain and live oaks
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Grab lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
2:30 – 4:00 pm: Hop off your Trolley Tour to shop the City Market or tour one of the historic homes
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Wander your way through the shops and galleries of River Street
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab dinner at Vic's On The River (top-notch classic Southern cooking!)
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

Use the Savannah Old Town Trolley Tour for an easy way to visit all of these sights.

You can find a map for this Savannah, GA day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Savannah, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Savannah, GA: 31.5 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Towns: Approximately 46 - 58 minutes

Daufuskie Beach on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Daufuskie Island, SC

Daufuskie Island is a fun sea island day-trip destination, but plan your trip accordingly! This island can only be reached by ferry or water taxi leaving from Bluffton, Hilton Head, or Savannah. You'll also want to plan to either rent a bike or golf cart while on the island. (Many of the bike paths are dirt, so prepare for a rugged ride.)

The entire island is a historic district with a population of only 400 people, so you're in for a fun day away from bustling big cities like Savannah.

Suggested Daufuskie Island day trip itinerary:

9:30 am – 10:30 am: Take the Daufuskie Island Ferry from Hilton Head Island
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Enjoy a beach horseback ride on Daufuskie Beach
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Stop in at Lucy Bell's Café for a little classic Southern comfort food
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Visit the Daufuskie Island Rum Company for a tasting tour
2:45 – 4:00 pm: Take in the island's history at the Oyster Union Society Hall and the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation
4:00 – 6:00 pm: Grab an early dinner at the Daufuskie Crab Company (awesome seafood!)
6:00 – 7:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island by the Island Ferry

You can find a map for this Daufuskie Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Daufuskie Island, SC?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Daufuskie Island: 8.2 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 40 minutes (on the ferry from Hilton Head Island)

Beaufort, SC

The beachside destination of Beaufort has plenty of southern charm to spare. You'll find the best places for swimming at Hunting Island Beach, but the rest of Hunting Island State Park is worth the drive as well. With a variety of maritime forests and marshy wetlands, it's no surprise that you'll find plenty of wildlife on your hikes here.

St. Helena Island is also quite close to Beaufort, SC, so this is another great opportunity to check out one of the historic sea islands.

Suggested Beaufort, SC day trip itinerary:

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Hunting Island State Park
10 am – 12:00 pm: Visit Hunting Island Beach, hike the trails, or visit the lighthouse
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Stop at the Shrimp Shack for lunch on your way through St. Helena Island
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Take in St. Helena's Church (it's an incredible architectural sight!)
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Take a Docent-guided tour through the historic John Mark Verdier House museum
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Stroll through the beautiful Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
4:30 – 6:30 pm: Grab happy hour and dinner at Plums Restaurant (perfect for seafood lovers!) or check out these Beaufort restautants
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Beaufort, SC day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Beaufort, SC?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Beaufort, SC: 34.5 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Towns: Approximately 40 – 60 minutes

Day Trip Destinations Located Approximately 2-Hours From Hilton Head Island

Moving a little further outside of Hilton Head Island you'll find Tybee Island, Edisto Beach, St. Simon's Island, Jekyll Island, Ossabaw Island, Sapelo Island, Darien, and Charleston.

With the increased travel time in mind, you'll want to devote a full day to tackle each of these day trips from Hilton Head Island. It's time to pack a breakfast sandwich from one of Hilton Head's best breakfast spots and hit the road! Here's what your day trip to each of these coastal destinations could look like.

A view of the Tybee Island shoreline with the Tybee Lighthouse in the distance

Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island is the spot to be if you want a diverse mix of beach time, historic attractions and fun outdoor activities. This beautiful barrier island boasts over three miles of white sandy shores. With five public beaches to choose from, you'll definitely want to pack your beach bag for this day trip!

Suggested Tybee Island day trip itinerary:

8:30 am – 10:00 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Tybee Island
10 am – 11:00 pm: Stop off at Fort Pulaski National Monument (a relic of the Civil War)
11:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Check out Georgia's oldest (and tallest!) lighthouse – Tybee Lighthouse
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunchtime snacks and a stroll at Tybee Island Beach Pier & Pavilion
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Spend the afternoon reading a book at North Beach
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab dinner with the locals at Sundae Cafe (make reservations!) or one of these Tybee restaurants
6:30 – 8:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Tybee Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Tybee Island, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Tybee Island: 48.8 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

Darien, GA

Located near St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, Darien is full of historic sites dating back to the Colonial period and Civil War. Darien is a great day trip choice if you're looking for a mix of cultural and heritage attractions, plus waterfront views. And you'll need to have some seafood. Darien was once quite famous for its oysters and wild shrimp!

Suggested Darien, GA day trip itinerary:

8:30 am – 10:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Darien, GA
10 am – 12:30 pm: Visit the oldest remaining English fort at Fort King George State Historic Site
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Walk the historic site trails, paying special attention to the local birds (you're on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail!)
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Take in a little historical architecture at St. Cyprian's Church
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab your shrimp dinner (or oysters!) at Skipper's Fish Camp
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Darien, GA day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Darien, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Darien, GA: 95.1 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes

Edisto Beach, SC

You'll find this sweet little town nestled into the eastern coastline of one of South Carolina's sea islands, Edisto Island. Located near Charleston, you'll find plenty of small-town Southern charm and more outdoor adventure opportunities than anyone could hope to squeeze into a single day.

There are acres of beach to explore at Edisto Beach State Park and the Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area.

Suggested Edisto Beach, SC day trip itinerary:

8:30 am – 10:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Edisto Beach
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Shelling along the beach in Edisto Beach State Park
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Play a round of golf at the Plantation Course at Edisto
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab a seafood dinner with a waterfront view at Pressley's at the Marina
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Edisto Beach day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Edisto Beach, SC?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Edisto Beach, SC: 96.6 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes

Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park, Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC

You'll want to make the trip to Charleston if you're looking for those quintessentially "Southern" cobblestone streets and antebellum era houses. It's the oldest and largest city in South Carolina, so you'll find a great mix of sandy beaches, well-preserved historical architecture and fine dining.

And with miles of beaches and islands like Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Seabrook Island, Folly Beach, and Kiawah Island, you may just wish your day trip to Charleston was a little longer!

Suggested Charleston, SC day trip itinerary:

9:30 am – 11:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Charleston
11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Enjoy the city sights and history with a Charleston Harbor History Tour or a Historic Carriage Tour
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Grab a bite of possibly the best raw seafood in Charleston at 167 Raw on King Street
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Take a stroll through the Waterfront Park (make sure to catch a glimpse of the iconic Pineapple Fountain!)
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Make your way to The Battery for a glimpse of the seawall and Fort Sumter in the distance (as well as a closer look at all of the beautiful antebellum homes)
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Indulge in a little Southern comfort food for dinner at FIG
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Charleston, SC day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Charleston, SC?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Charleston, SC: 97.8 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 1 hour 55 minutes

If you're interested in touring the Charleston Tea Plantation on nearby Wadmalaw Island, swap it for your morning or afternoon tour. Or for military history buffs, tour the USS Yorktown in Mt. Pleasant.

Ossabaw Island, GA

This natural, undeveloped oasis off the Georgia coast has a cultural history dating back over 4,000 years. Now managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Ossabaw Island Foundation, this boat-access only island is open to those engaging in study, research and education.

So if you want to visit the maritime forests and tidal wetlands, you'll need to book one of the TOIF-hosted trips. If you're just planning to spend a day on the beach you can do so with an approved chartered tour.

Suggested Ossabaw Island day trip tour groups:

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Isle of Hope Marina in Savannah, GA
10 am – 5:00 pm: Ossabaw Island Day Trip with Savannah Coastal EcoTours
5:00 – 7:00 pm: Grab your seafood dinner and drinks at Driftaway Cafe
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Ossabaw Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Ossabaw Island, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Ossabaw Island: 43 miles to the marina in Savannah, GA, followed by a 45-minute boat ride

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 2 hours

Sapelo Island, GA

Sapelo Island is another state-protected island that requires a little extra planning for a day-trip. Similar to Ossabaw Island, you must visit this barrier island with an approved tour. And it's only accessible by boat or plane. You can also visit if you're guests of one of the local residents (though there aren't many!). The island is 97% owned by the state of Georgia.

Suggested Sapelo Island day trip itinerary:

6:45 am – 8:15 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to the Sapelo Island Visitor Center in Darien, GA
8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Take a public guided tour with the Sapelo Island Visitor Center (this also gets you on the ferry to Sapelo Island)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch at Lula's Kitchen in Hogg Hammock
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Arrange for rental bikes or a private tour with a Hogg Hammock resident to get a closer look at attractions like Nanny Goat Beach, Sapelo Lighthouse and Reynolds Mansion
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Take the ferry from Sapelo Island back to Darien
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab a little southern comfort food at Clay's Sapelo Station on your way home
6:30 – 7:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Sapelo Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Sapelo Island?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Sapelo Island: 92.6 miles, followed by a 20-minute ferry ride

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes

A view of the St Simons Island Lighthouse

St. Simons Island, GA

Whether you're looking for waterfront restaurants, historic landmarks, beautiful beaches, or want to indulge in a little shopping, St. Simons Island has something for you. You'll find St. Simons nestled in the Golden Isles – it's the largest of these barrier islands.

Suggested St. Simons Island day trip itinerary:

8:30 am – 10:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to St. Simons Island
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Stop at Fort Frederica National Monument and stretch your legs with a walk around the grounds (beautiful large oak and pecan trees filled with Spanish moss!)
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Head over to Gascoigne Bluff for a little lunchtime picnic
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Head to St. Simons Island Beach for some fun in the sun or to take in the local lighthouse
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab dinner at Iguanas Seafood Restaurant (try the fried shrimp!)
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this St. Simons Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is Hilton Head Island to St. Simons Island, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to St. Simons Island, GA: 120 miles

Your Total Travel Time One-Way Between Destinations: Approximately 2 hours 5 minutes

Entrance to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island, GA

You'll find Jekyll Island quite close to St. Simons, just a little further down the I-95 S. Similar to St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island is filled with southern charm and has a lovely tropical vibe. Whether you're looking for a beach day, an outdoor adventure, or a little bit of history, you're sure to find it in Jekyll Island.

Suggested Jekyll Island day trip itinerary:

8:30 am – 10:30 am: Drive from Hilton Head Island to Jekyll Island
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Spend the morning hanging out at Driftwood Beach
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Grab lunch at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel (try the crab cakes!)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Visit the local sea turtles at Georgia Sea Turtle Center
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Pop down to St. Andrew Beach for a little birdwatching
5:00 – 6:30 pm: Grab dinner, drinks and enjoy some live music at The Wharf
6:30 – 7:00 pm: Return to Hilton Head Island

You can find a map for this Jekyll Island day trip itinerary here.

How far is it from Hilton Head Island to Jekyll Island, GA?

Distance from Hilton Head Island to Jekyll Island, GA: 126 miles