fast facts
HILTON HEAD ISLAND AREA 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).
Population
Approx. 31,000 permanent residents
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; 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. Air service providers and major gates include:
Airlines/Major Gates
- airTran: Atlanta
- American Eagle: Dallas/Fort Worth; Chicago-O'Hare
- Continental Express: Newark, NJ; Houston, TX
- Delta Connection: NY-LaGuardia; Cincinnati, OH; NY-JFK
- Delta: Atlanta independence air: Washington DC-Dulles
- Northwest Airlink: Detroit, MI; Minneaplois, MN (Saturday only)
- United Express: Washington, DC-Dulles; Chicago O'Hare
- US Airways: Charlotte, NC; Washington, DC-Reagan; NY-LaGuardia; Philadelphia, PA (Saturday only); Pittsburgh, PA (Saturday only); Boston, MA (Saturday only)
Recreation
Golf Courses: 23 (5 private) on-Island; 40 in Lowcountry area
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. In addition to the arts and cultural groups that participate in BRAVO, area hotels, restaurants, the Hospitality Association, schools, historical organizations and the South Carolina Artisan's Center are among the numerous groups participating.
Click here for a listing of events.
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.
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 2005 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 esimpson@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 lramirez@hiltonheadisland.org.
Student Information Requests
Hilton Head Island and the Bluffton-Okatie area are rich in history, arts and culture. Please click here and let us know your topic of interest. We are happy to fulfill student requests in a timely manner.
Visiting Journalists Program
Hilton Head Island hosts a wide variety of approved freelance journalists and writers on assignment. We fully customize your trip to meet your specific needs and story angle. You will have plenty of time to discover the beauty of Hilton Head Island at your own pace. This program has had incredible feedback from visiting journalists.
Please click here to request a visit to the Hilton Head Island area.
Broadcast Media Streaming Video
We offer broadcast journalists a diverse variety ofeditorial B-roll and promotional B-roll, including amazing aerials covering all times of day. Our B-roll has been used on CNN, Good Morning America, ABC, The Travel Channel and the Today Show - just to name a few. A picture is worth a thousand words and we are proud to show you our piece of paradise, Hilton Head Island.
