Hilton Head Island Beaches

HILTON HEAD ISLAND BEACHES
Hilton Head, SC

14 Miles of the Most Beautiful Beaches on the East Coast !

On Hilton Head Island, as in the rest of South Carolina, all beaches are public property but beach access can be a private affair. The major plantations which border on the beach are private property. For example the owners in Sea Pines, Shipyard, Palmetto Dunes and Hilton Head Plantation enjoy their own private beach clubs with several access points spread through-out the plantation. Visitors to these plantations also can use all plantation beach access points.

If a visitor is not staying in one of the above plantations, the Town of Hilton Head has established five beach parks which are available to Islanders and visitors alike. The five beach parks are:

Coligny Beach Park
Located on Coligny Circle in the south end of Island, has metered parking near the beach and a large lot just across the street. Handicapped-accessible parking and beach access is available. The swimming area is from the Breakers to the Holiday Inn.

Islanders Beach Park
Islanders Beach Park is located near the end of Folly Field Road, just south of the rear entrance to the Westin Resort. The park's 100 parking spaces are reserved for island property owners who purchase an annual beach parking pass.

Alder Lane
Alder Lane Beach is near Marriott's Grande Ocean Resort, on South Forest Beach Drive, with parking across the street on Woodward Drive.

Folly Field Beach Park
Folly Field Beach Park is located mid-island at the end of Folly Field Road. The parking lot accomodates 52 with handicap spots available.

Driessen Beach Park
Driessen Beach Park is located mid-Island, at the end of Bradley Beach Drive. The paid parking lot has 212 regular spaces and six handicapped spaces.

BEACH RULES

Hilton Head Island's official beach season is April 1st through September 30th of each year. For the adventuresome, the water temperature is in mid 60's in November!

PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS

All of Hilton Head's beaches are public, from the ocean's edge to the high water mark. Access to the beach, however, is often private. The Town of Hilton Head Island provides five beach access points: Alder Lane Beach access, off South Forest Beach Drive; Coligny Beach Park, off Coligny Circle; Driessen Beach State Park, at the end of Bradley Beach Road; Folly Field Beach Park, off Folly Field Road; and Islanders' Beach Park off Folly Field Road.

PARKING AND FACILITIES

There are 22 metered spaces at Alder Lane; 52 metered spaces at Folly Field, and 30 metered spaces at Coligny. Parking costs 25¢ for each 15 minutes. Additionally, there are 314 spaces at Coligny Beach Park and 212 spaces at Driessen Beach Park for long term parking. The fee is 25¢ for each 30 minutes during the week. A flat $4.00 fee is charged at the Coligny parking lot on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and heavy use days. You may come and go all day with your paid receipt.

Parking spaces at Islanders' Beach Park are always reserved for annual beach pass holders. You must be a Hilton Head Island property owner to get the annual pass. Parking at Coligny and Driessen Beach Parks for annual beach passes is reserved from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Handicap parking is available at no fee at all beach parks. Parking in residential areas marked NO PARKING - TOW AWAY is by permit only. Unpermitted vehicles are subject to fines and/or tows. Restrooms, changing areas, sand showers and vending are available at the beach parks.

DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS

Official swimming areas have been designated for the Alder, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, and Islanders' beaches. The boundaries of these areas will be clearly marked on the beach and in the water. During the beach season lifeguards are stationed in each of the designated swimming areas and other heavily populated beach areas for assistance and beach information. Please ask a lifeguard before entering the water if the yellow caution flag is flying.

BEACH PROHIBITIONS

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Department patrols the beaches and enforces all beach regulations. Violators of beach regulations are subject to fines up to $500 per each offense.

The following are PROHIBITED on all beaches:

•	Alcoholic liquor, beer, wine, glass (bottles, containers, etc.)
•	Littering
•	Indecent exposure (nudity)
•	Disorderly conduct
•	Disturbing the peace
•	Unauthorized vehicles
•	Fires and fireworks
•	Shark fishing
•	Removal, harming, or harassment of any live beach fauna (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
•	Removal, alteration, or damage to dunes, sea oats, or other dune flora
•	Operation, launching, or landing of unauthorized motorized watercraft
•	Unauthorized commercial activity
•	Sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 a.m.
•	Unauthorized wearing of lifeguard emblems, insignias, etc.
•	Solicitation or distribution of handouts
•	Kites not under manual control
•	Stunt kites 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. April 1 through September 30
•	Sand-sailing

For the added protection of sunbathers and swimmers, the following activities are prohibited in Designated Swimming Areas between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. April 1 through September 30:

•	Fishing or surfcasting surfboards, boogie boards, etc.
•	Frisbees or other team sports involving a ball
•	Games with metal components

ANIMALS

There are special rules for animals and pets on the beaches:

•	Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m, starting the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day all pets must be on a leash.

•	Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 1 through Thursday before Memorial Day and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday after Labor Day through September 30 ^th--- pets must be either be on leash or under positive voice control at all other times. Persons in control of animals on the beach are required to pick-up after their pet (please!).

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF OUR BEACHES AND KEEP HILTON HEAD ISLAND BEAUTIFUL . PLACE LITTER IN THE TRASH RECEPTACLES PROVIDED.