Things to Do on Your Hilton Head Island Vacation

Planning Hilton Head Vacations that Are Fun for the Whole Family

Hilton Head vacations have something to appeal to everyone in your family. As you begin planning your Hilton Head Island vacation, there are several things you should know that will help to make sure that you have a great time while you are traveling and enjoying the sights and sounds of the island.

Traveling to and from Hilton Head Island Many travelers embarking on Hilton Head vacations choose to drive to the Island so that they have their own car to use for the duration of their stay. It is almost essential to have a car throughout a Hilton Head Island vacation in order to be able to get around to all of the attractions, from the beach to the golf courses. However, if you prefer, you can fly to one of the nearby airports and then rent a car from there. The airport in Savannah, Georgia, is just a 45 minute drive from the island. There are also limited flights coming directly into the Hilton Head Island airport, although you may find them to be more costly and less frequent. If your Hilton Head vacations begin in the car, you will be taking the one main highway that leads to your final destination 278, which is exit 8 in South Carolina off of route 95, just eight miles from the Georgia border. When you've taken the exit, you will be about 40 minutes away from the island, so plan your Hilton Head Island vacation accordingly to include this time. Note that there are also ferries from Savannah, Georgia, to Hilton Head Island, that can cut down on your overall travel time (depending on your starting point) and get you started on your Hilton Head Island vacation more quickly. However, these ferries do not carry cars, and you still will need to rent a car once you reach the island.

The Beach and Golf The Main Attractions of Most Hilton Head Vacations
First and foremost, Hilton Head vacations usually focus on the beach. Whether you choose to go at low tide, an optimal time for walking along the shore, or at high tide, when you can body surf and jump in the waves, you'll likely be spending a great deal of time in the sand and surf. Don't forget your favorite bathing suit and towel on your next Hilton Head Island vacation, as well as lots of sunscreen! The other main attraction for a Hilton Head Island vacation is golfing. There are nearly 25 courses from which you can choose directly on the island, as well as many more in nearby Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry, including Daufuskie Island and Fripp Island, which are each just a quick ferry trip away. World-famous courses, such as Harbour Town Golf Links, draw players from all over the world. You can bring your own clubs or rent them from one of the courses. Beginners can also take classes to get up to speed with the many experts that choose Hilton Head vacations just to play a round or two. But Hilton Head vacations can be much more than golf and the beach. There are many other attractions and activities available, so make sure when you plan your Hilton Head Island vacation that you include time to try something new!

Bicycling on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island has miles of bike trails ranging from easy to a little more difficult. Some avid cyclists choose to bring their own bikes on their Hilton Head vacations, but you can also take advantage of the many bike rental shops located on the island. Many of these rental shops will even drop off the bike at your hotel at the beginning of your Hilton Head Island vacation and pick it up when you are through.

Other Great Things to Do on Your Hilton Head Island Vacation
For those that love to shop, a Hilton Head Island vacation may sound like paradise. There are hundreds of stores to poke into, from intimate boutiques to outlets to some of the better-known chains. If you forgot anything at home when you left for your journey, you can easily find a replacement, and then some! Make sure your Hilton Head vacations include a stop on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, where local artisans share their wares. Hilton Head vacations also come with great fishing opportunities for the sportsman or woman or just for the person who wants to spend a relaxing day on a boat in the sun. Bear in mind that you may be required to get a state fishing license for some of your excursions. There are many different companies offering organized fishing tours, so just pick the one you like best and enjoy the day! Finally, great Hilton Head vacations can include different types of tours of the Island and the surrounding area. You may be interested in ecotourism, whereby you take tours of the natural beauty of the island and learn more about the ecosystem, the animals that are local to the island (including sea turtles, ocean birds, and more). You can also take a tour that teaches you about the Gullah, a society of people with their own unique language and culture. Your Hilton Head Island vacation could also involve a boat tour that brings you in close contact with the friendly dolphins that congregate off the Island's shore.

Conclusion
Hilton Head vacations can involve such a wide range of activities that it's nearly impossible to list them all. Take the time when planning your Hilton Head Island vacation to carefully research both how you'll get to the Island as well as what you'll do when you're there. That way you'll be sure to have a great, relaxing vacation that includes everything you were hoping for!

About the Author
Spencer Green is the director of marketing for Hilton Head Hospitality, LLC, which is the parent company for Hilton Head Hotline, an online resource for those seeking to visit Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. In addition to his work on the site, he also serves as director of marketing operations for Promotional Travel, Inc., where he helps to oversee the acquisition and implementation of new projects. Green also works to promote Hilton Head resort development, a location he feels a special bond with and considers "a great place to be, any time of the year." For more information about Hilton Head Island, please visit www.hiltonheadhotline.com.