Hilton Head Island South Carolina Beach Guide

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is famous for its 12-mile stretch of wide sandy beach. Here's a guide to the best Hilton Head beaches for every type of beachgoer—including the best Hilton Head public beach access points. So grab your beach bag and let's head to the beach!

Planning a Hilton Head Island vacation? You'll have plenty of beaches to choose from. As a coastal island, Hilton Head has beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and on Port Royal Sound. Here's the inside scoop on the best beaches on the island.

From the popular Coligny Beach, that's been named one of the 25 top beaches in the US by Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice Awards, to low-key Hilton Head public beaches where you can fish or kayak, the island has it all.

Hilton Head Public Beach Access

No matter which beach you go to, all of the Hilton Head Island beaches are beautiful! The Atlantic side of the island is one continuous 12-mile long strip of gorgeous beach—the perfect place for swimming, sunning, walking, running, or even bike riding! And at low tide, the beaches are even bigger.

While all the beaches are public from the ocean to the high water mark, not all of the beaches have public access. That means once you're on the beach, you can walk (or bike) as far as you want. But you'll need to use a public access point to get to the beach.

The town of Hilton Head Island has several parks that provide public beach access to visitors. So no matter what type of beach you're looking for, you can find it on the island.

Each of the beach parks provides public access to the beach as well as parking, restrooms, and outdoor showers to wash the sand off before you get in the car. Some of the parks offer different amenities like umbrella rentals, playgrounds, or grills, and designated swimming areas with beach season lifeguards.

While the beaches and beach parks are open year-round, Hilton Head's official beach season is April 1st through September 30th. If you're lucky enough to visit during the off-season, you'll find plenty of room to spread out.

Coligny Beach

Coligny is the most popular beach on the island for good reason. There's a beautiful wide sandy beach. And there are plenty of activities from the interactive fountain for kids, to shops, rocking chairs, free wifi, beach volleyball, and the Tiki Hut with live music for adults. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are also available.

Restrooms and outdoor showers are provided in Coligny Beach Park. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available during the season. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance at Coligny Plaza. And be sure to check out one of Hilton Head's best breakfast restaurants nearby. Southern Coney is just a 10-minute walk from Coligny Park down Pope Avenue.

Location: Coligny Beach Park is located on the south end of the island at 1 Coligny Circle (at the end of Pope Avenue).

Beach Parking: Coligny has the only free beach parking (over 500 parking spaces). The parking lot is located on Pope Avenue just before the traffic circle.

Beach Matting: A beach mat path extends over the sand from the boardwalk for easier handicap access.

Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on the beach during the summer beach season.

Folly Field Beach

Folly Field is a local favorite beach off of Folly Field Road on the north end of the island. It has a short boardwalk to the beach, complete with restrooms and outdoor showers. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent for the day during the beach season.

Location: Folly Field Beach Park is located just off Folly Field Road on Starfish Drive. The address is 55 Starfish Drive.

Beach Parking: There are two small parking lots with paid parking.

Beach Matting: Beach mats for easier accessibility.

Lifeguards: During the summer beach season.

Burkes Beach

Burkes Beach is at the end of a long sandy path. This is one of the most pet-friendly beaches and a favorite of dog owners.

Nearby Chaplin Community Park offers plenty of activities with playgrounds for the kids, trails, soccer fields, tennis courts, and a dog park. The park also provides restrooms.

While there are no shops or restaurants within walking distance, it's a short drive or bike ride to Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove.

Location: Burkes Beach is located mid-island at 60 Burkes Beach Road. From William Hilton Parkway take Burkes Beach Road to the end.

Beach Parking:  There are a parking spots are on Burkes Beach Road next to the beach access. You can park in the parking lots at Chaplin Park and walk over to the beach access. Just look for the entrance to Chaplin Park about halfway down Burkes Beach Road. Seasonal parking fees apply.

Beach Matting: No.

Lifeguards: No seasonal lifeguards.

Driessen Beach Park

Driessen Beach Park sits between Burkes Beach and Folly Field Beach. Driessen Beach is accessed by a scenic boardwalk from the park to the beach. The park has a playground, picnic pavilion, grills, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available here as well.

Location: Driessen Beach Park is located mid-island at 64 Bradley Beach Road. From William Hilton Parkway take Bradley Beach Road to the end.

Beach Parking: Paid parking is available in the parking lot.

Beach Matting: Beach mat path extends from the boardwalk for easier access.

Lifeguards: During the summer beach season.

Islanders Beach

Islanders Beach is the northernmost beach on the Atlantic side. The park has a small playground, picnic area, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented at Islanders Beach Park.

Location: Islanders Beach Park is located at 94 Folly Field Road.

Beach Parking: This parking lot is reserved for Hilton Head residents with annual beach parking passes.

Beach Matting: Beach mats extend from the boardwalk.

Lifeguards: During the summer beach season

Alder Lane Beach

The Alder Lane Beach access has a paved path to a boardwalk that leads to the beach. This is the southernmost public beach access and is less than a mile south of Coligny Beach, but tends to be quieter. Alder Lane Beach offers restrooms and outdoor showers.

Location: Alder Lane Beach access is located off of South Forest Beach Drive. This is the last public beach access before you get to Sea Pines resort.

Beach Parking: There are paid parking spots across the street from the Alder Lane Beach access at 2 Woodward Avenue.

Beach Matting: Beach mat path for accessibility.

Lifeguards: During the summer beach season.

Fish Haul Creek Park

Fish Haul Creek Beach is a little bit different because it's on Port Royal Sound, not on the Atlantic Ocean. The waves are not quite as big and you can see some of the islands to the north of Hilton Head just across the water. While the park has restrooms and outdoor showers, there are no other amenities close by. Fish Haul Beach park tends to be quieter, and you're more likely to see people walking than swimming.

Location: Fish Haul Creek Park is located at 124 Mitchelville Road (off of Beach City Road)

Beach Parking: There's a parking lot with seasonal parking fees.

Beach Matting: Beach mats path for accessibility.

Lifeguards: No.

Beach Parking Fees

As of March 2025, these parking fees apply to all public beach lots except Coligny—the only beach with free parking.

• Monday–Friday: $3 per hour, up to $15 per day
• Saturday & Sunday: Flat rate of $20 per day

Payment is digital and paid through a parking app you can access on your phone. Fees are enforced daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during peak season (March 1–September 7).

RELATED: More Beaches Near Savannah, Georgia To Visit

What you need to know about Hilton Head Beach

Before you go, know the rules for Hilton Head beaches. There are some special considerations guests should be aware of for protecting the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on Hilton Head's beaches. Keep an eye out on the Hilton Head beach access paths where you'll see signs with sea turtle nesting information.

While Hilton Head beaches are very dog-friendly, the hours that dogs are allowed on the beach change during beach season. If you're bringing your dog, be sure to check the times you can walk them on the beach and when they can be off the leash.

Local's Tip: Hilton Head has more than 60 miles of bike paths and plenty of bike rental shops so it's a great place to bike ride to (and on!) the beach.

Hilton Head Island is also famous for golf and hosts the annual RBC Heritage PGA tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links every April. If you're a golf fan, check out one of the 24 world-class golf courses on the island.