The beaches in Hilton Head, South Carolina, attract visitors from the United States and the world over in droves every year. Their unique combination of wildlife, white sands, beautiful scenery, and superb facilities makes these beaches a destination that suits the whole family and can accommodate a short getaway or a full-on vacation.
It has over 12 miles of beaches and plenty of choices, from the more upscale private hotel beaches to public ones that anyone has access to.
What are the 12 best public beaches in Hilton Head Island, and where should you spend your next vacation in South Carolina? Here are our top picks:
- Driessen Beach (aka Bradley Beach)
- Coligny Beach
- Folly Field Beach
- Singleton Beach
- Islanders Beach
- Burke’s Beach
- Mitchelville Beach
- Daufuskie Island
- Palmetto Dunes
- Alder Lane
- Fish Haul Beach Park
- Sea Pines Beach Club
12 Best Public Hilton Head Beaches, South Carolina
1. Driessen Beach (aka Bradley Beach)
Locals call this one Bradley Beach, but it’s widely known under the Driessen name to tourists. The Driessen Beach Park is an idyllic family-friendly location where children will roam free, and grandparents can relax, too. It’s mostly a quiet beach where locals go out and escape peak tourist season on the other top beaches in Hilton Head.
As a true public beach, Driessen also has free parking, although you’ll need to walk a bit to get to the sand from where you leave your car. The water is excellent, and the sun shines on pristine white sands, so it’s a beautiful place to relax any time of year.
2. Coligny Beach
Of all the beaches in Hilton Head, Coligny Beach is the best known and most popular with tourists. There’s easy access to the sea from the free parking area, and there’s also a great boardwalk with facilities including restrooms and showers. Whenever you go to Coligny Beach, you’ll find a medley of people, from volleyball players to families with young kids to others just taking a relaxing stroll in the area.
At Coligny Beach, you can rent umbrellas and sun loungers for the whole season. You can also pop into the Coligny Plaza to do some shopping or have a delicious lunch. The beach opens from 6 am to 9 pm in summer, and 6 am to 6 pm in winter, so you can easily spend an entire day here any time you visit.
All the extra amenities will make Coligny one of the best public beaches in Hilton Head, but bear in mind this means it will be relatively busy, too, unlike some of the others we’ve listed here.
3. Folly Field Beach
Folly Field is another favorite local beach, with easy access and lots of disabled support (wheelchair friendly, access for large rolling coolers and beach buggies). It also has a lovely boardwalk with restrooms and showers.
Folly Field Beach is known for its low tide when walking along the water or even riding a bike on the beach. The scenery is idyllic, especially at sunset. The only complaint is the lack of free parking and the limited space available, but you’ll feel like you’ve made up for that with the stunning views and relaxing atmosphere.
4. Singleton Beach
If you’re staying in the middle of the island, then Singleton Beach is your top pick for a Hilton Head beach that will welcome you with fantastic wildlife and a large beach area to accommodate large groups of friends.
It’s a very popular location with locals and tourists alike and the ideal place to watch loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, and many birds (pelicans, snowy egrets, bald eagles). If you’re visiting from May to October, you may be there during sea turtle nesting season and get the chance to meet the hatchlings as they head to the sea.
5. Islanders Beach
The name is not out of place: the Islanders Beach is what the Hilton Head locals want you to keep out of! The typical local atmosphere means you’ll find actual residents hanging out with their families. This is also one of the best pet-friendly beaches in Hilton Head, where families come with dogs to play in the sand and enjoy a picnic. There are gills available for cooking the catch of the day if you’ve been successful fishing and a picnic pavilion by the water.
Given that it’s a very local beach, you can only park there if you have a resident permit, but you can reach the beach easily by bike from your accommodation.
6. Burke’s Beach
Unlike the beaches we’ve covered so far, Burke’s is more of a high-adrenaline, vibrant destination among the best beaches of Hilton Head. Thanks to barrel waves that make it an ideal place for surfing and bodyboarding, Burke’s Beach welcomes younger and more active beachgoers, but it’s also great for a picnic overlooking the pristine coastline.
You can bike here, try your hand at various water sports, or go kayaking for the day. It’s among the best beaches for families without children, better served by the quieter beaches like Driessen.
7. Mitchelville Beach
This more secluded beach is great for observing nature in all its glory, as it’s quiet and you will have more chances of seeing wildlife unencumbered by people. There are nature observatories and a touch pond to introduce children to local species.
You can also kayak and go for pleasant walks or bike rides.
8. Daufuskie Island
Daufuskie Island is created through a natural barrier and is a destination in itself. A water taxi or private boat will get you there, making the visit that much more special. Local wildlife is abundant, and there’s something for the history lovers who can learn about the local Gullah people. There’s also a unique golf course in a particularly stunning setting.
9. Palmetto Dunes
The dunes around a saltwater lagoon may not be a conventional beach, but they’re a favorite place for fishers with their private docks and abundant fishing opportunities. You only need to purchase a temporary fishing license to join the locals on this beach and catch your dinner!
10. Alder Lane
Head to the southern part to visit another one of the most beautiful beaches in Hilton Head Island. Alder Lane is situated in one of the largest areas of the island, yet it’s quiet and relaxing, without too many busy tourists. There are public restrooms and a range of refreshments on-site, too.
11. Fish Haul Beach Park
Located near Mitchelville Beach, this is another quieter, more out of the way place where you can see lots of nature and relax watching the sunset quietly. This beach is great for quiet walks for joining the anglers for a spot of fishing on your own. It’s also an excellent spot to stock up on shells and pebbles from your walk, which will delight the kids.
12. Sea Pines Beach Club
The little beach village of Sea Pines welcomes families with one of the most kid-friendly atmospheres in Hilton Head. Alcohol is not allowed, and law enforcement officers frequently patrol the area, so you know kids will be safe at all times. Moreover, plenty of activities are organized on-site during the summer, specifically for children.
This is our top choice for public beaches in Hilton Head for families with children, where you won’t get self-conscious, and you’ll even make friends with other families just as active and excited as yours.
Hilton Head Beach Paradise
To summarize, our picks for the best public beaches in Hilton Head Island are the following:
- Driessen Beach (aka Bradley Beach)
- Coligny Beach
- Folly Field Beach
- Singleton Beach
- Islanders Beach
- Burke’s Beach
- Mitchelville Beach
- Daufuskie Island
- Palmetto Dunes
- Alder Lane
- Fish Haul Beach Park
- Sea Pines Beach Club
Hilton Head Island is the southernmost point in South Carolina, with wonderful sandy beaches that welcome visitors and lucky locals all year round. You can ride your bike across all the 12 miles of beach at low tide to explore them all in one go, or spend a day at each of these top beaches in Hilton Head for an unforgettable vacation.
Whichever beach you choose to visit, Hilton Head Island has a little bit of magic for every interest and will wow you with its scenery, wildlife, and general atmosphere.