Fast Facts

Location

Hilton Head Island is a foot-shaped barrier island located off the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina, approximately 45 miles (72 km) north of Savannah, Ga., 90 miles (145 km) south of Charleston, S.C., and 30 miles (48 km) south of historic Beaufort, S.C. The 12-mile (19 km) long and 5-mile (8 km) wide island was the first Eco-planned destination in the United States.

Geography

Lying on the Intracoastal Waterway, Hilton Head Island encompasses 42 square miles (68 sq. km) of semi-tropical, Low Country geography. The Island's pristine natural environment offers a relaxing, hospitable atmosphere with subtle signage and no neon lights. Fertile salt marshes, networks of lagoons and creeks, forests of moss-draped oaks, magnolias, pines, palmettos and 12 miles (19 km) of sandy beaches are interspersed with championship golf courses, tennis courts, fine restaurants and luxurious hotels, resorts and private villa accommodations.

Climate

Warmed year-round by the Gulf Stream, the Island's average daytime temperature is a mild 70°F (21°C). The average annual ocean temperature is 69°F (20°C).
Area Maps & Weather

Population

Approx. 39,000 permanent residents and 2.5 million visitors annually

Accommodations

Hilton Head Island has an array of accommodations, from luxurious resorts and full-service hotels to exclusive beachfront villas equipped with private swimming pools and tennis courts to a quaint bed and breakfast in the heart of town. Accommodation options include more than 6,000 villas; 3,000 hotel/motel rooms; 1,000 timeshare units; 22 properties offering meetings and convention facilities; and two RV resorts and one campground (off-Island).

Airline Service

Two airports service the Hilton Head Island area: Hilton Head Airport, located approximately 5 miles (8 km) from all Island resorts, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, located approximately 45 miles (72 km) south of the Island.

• Hilton Head Island Airport: US Airways Express from Charlotte offers daily flights to the Hilton Head Airport.
• Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport: Continental Express, Delta, Delta Connection, US Airways, United Express, Northwest and American Eagle offer daily flights into Savannah, including direct non-stop service from over 17 US cities. All flights are met by ground transportation companies.

Recreation

Golf Courses: 30 championship golf courses with 24 open to the public on Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry. Seven of the area’s courses have been ranked among the nation's Top 100 in key golf publications. 
Tennis Courts: 300 (8 clubs available for resort play)
Marinas: 8
Activities: Biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, fishing and crabbing, horseback riding, nature-based tours/nature preserves, miniature golf, playgrounds, swimming pools, dolphin-watching cruises, historic tours, Gullah heritage tours, hayrides, arts and cultural activities, shopping, fine dining and sightseeing

Cultural Activities

Hilton Head Island boasts a flourishing cultural community of fine art, music and theatrical venues. Island offerings include cultural exhibits, galleries and performances at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Hilton Head Playhouse, Reperatory Theatre, Hilton Head Orchestra, Hilton Head Dance School, Coastal Discovery Museum and the Cole-Heyward House Historic Center in Bluffton, S.C.

BRAVO-Celebrate the Arts is a month-long festival of the arts conceived by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce's Arts and Cultural Committee. More than 25 area groups and organizations come together to bring an array of arts and cultural activities to the Lowcountry throughout the month of May.

Beaches

Hilton Head Island offers 12 miles (19 km) of beaches with public access and metered parking available at the following locations: Coligny Beach, Alder Lane, Folly Field Road, Dreissen's Beach Park, Islanders Beach Park, Collier Beach Park.

Dining

There are over 250 restaurants on Hilton Head Island, ranging from fast-food to gourmet. Dining venues include all types of major ethnic cuisine, including French, German, Italian, Caribbean, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Thai and Mexican. For those with a milder palate, the Island also offers great All-American and southern-style fare as well as famous local seafood. Click here for the Culinary Guide.

Shopping

More than 200 shops are located on Hilton Head Island, from elegant boutiques and art galleries to an indoor mall with major department stores and specialty shops. Bluffton boasts two outlet malls featuring designer brands, a wide array of major retail stores and independent shops.

Visitor Profile Study

The 2006 Visitor Profile Study offers an abundance of valuable information about Hilton Head Island area visitors and is a great tool for researchers. The study is $25 for members and $50 for non-members. The profile demonstrates WHO our visitors are, HOW they spend their time and dollars while visiting, WHEN they visit and from WHERE, WHAT types of lodging appeals to different markets, their method of transportation, and more!
Please email bciapanna@hiltonheadisland.org to obtain your copy.

Commercial Information Resource Guide

The guide contains pertinent, detailed information on area demographics, tourism, employment and income, housing, community development, municipal facts, transportation and other important public service information. The cost is $95 for chamber members and $125 for non-members.
To order a copy please email smcguire@hiltonheadisland.org.