What to do on Hilton Head Island in August
Summer may be starting to wind down, but that doesn’t mean we are! August is warm, sunny, and full of exciting things to do on Hilton Head Island. Keep reading for local events and experiences, what to pack, and how to get the most out of your August visit to the Lowcountry in this guide. Get our August Bucket List on Hilton Head Island here and see if you can check all the bucket list items off during your stay on America’s Favorite Island®.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Recurring tours, events, and experiences you won’t want to miss all month long
- August one-off events
- Planning tips for tennis, pickleball, and golf during August
- How to experience our nature and wildlife in August on Hilton Head Island
- August weather and what to pack
- August travel FAQs
Can’t-Miss Events & Experiences in August
Catch live music, exciting performances, farmers markets, kids activities, fireworks, and so much more during your August visit to Hilton Head Island. Don’t miss a thing and check out everything going on this month below:
| Day of the Week | Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | Tiki Hut | 11:00am - 10:00pm | Live Music |
| Quarterdeck | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Live Music | |
| Coast, Oceanfront Dining | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Live Music | |
| Harbourside | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Live Music | |
| Mondays | Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina | 6:30pm - 9:30pm | Shannon Tanner & Cappy The Clown |
| Lowcountry Celebration Park | 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Turtle Talks 2026 | |
| Hilton Head Distillery | 4:45pm - 6:15pm | Tour, Taste, & Sip Experience | |
| Tuesdays | The Shops at Sea Pines Center | 10:00am - 2:00pm | Farmers & Makers Market |
| Hilton Head Distillery | 4:45pm - 6:15pm | Tour, Taste, & Sip Experience | |
| Sonesta Resort | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Put the Beach to Bed with Sea Turtle Patrol (Meet at the beach entrance boardwalk) | |
| Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina | 8:00pm | HarbourFest Fireworks (No fireworks Aug. 25) | |
| Wednesdays | Beach House Resort | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Put the Beach to Bed with Sea Turtle Patrol (Meet at the large blue chair between the volleyball courts and the Tiki Hut Bar) |
| Thursdays | Hilton Head Distillery | 7:30pm - 9:30pm | Art of Tiki Cocktail Class |
| Fridays | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Cappy The Clown |
| Sundays | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Put the Beach to Bed with Sea Turtle Patrol (Meet on the beach at The Dunes House) |
| The Sea Pines Resort Golf Learning Center | 8:00am - 6:00pm | Get Fit Sundays! |
Events and Shows Happening this August
| Date | Location | Time | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1st - 28th | Art League of Hilton Head Gallery | 10:00am - 4:00pm | Finding Light by L. Robert Stanfield |
| Aug 1st | All Saints Episcopal Church | 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Sirens Song Choirs Debut Concert |
| Aug 1st - 9th | Arts Center of Coastal Carolina | 7:30pm - 10:15pm | Mean Girls: The Musical |
| Aug 3rd | Arts Center of Coastal Carolina | 4:00pm - 9:30pm | Divas Through Time |
| Aug 4th | Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny | 7:00pm | Jazz in the Park – Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra: Charleston Singleton Quintet |
| Aug 5th & 12th | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | 8:00am - 9:30am | Turtle Trot 5K |
| Aug 6th | The Shops at Sea Pines Center | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | First Thursday Artisan Alley |
| Aug 6th | Coast, Oceanfront Dining | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Island Vibes Concert Series |
| Aug 6th | Shelter Cove Towne Centre | 7:30pm | Movies in the Park: Lilo & Stitch |
| Aug 6th, 13th & 20th | Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina | 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Parrot Palooza Sunset Celebration |
| Aug 7th | Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town | 8:00pm - 9:30pm | Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show |
| Aug 7th | Shelter Cove Towne Centre | 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Sunset Celebrations 2026 with Deas-Guyz |
| Aug 13th | Shelter Cove Towne Centre | 7:30pm | Movies in the Park: Dora & The Search for Sol Dorado |
| Aug 14th | Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town | 8:00pm - 9:30pm | DJ Alan Family Show |
| Aug 15th | Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club | 7:45am - 5:00pm | The Heritage Cares Foundation Charity Golf Tournament |
| Aug 15th | The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa | 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Sip & Savor: Taste of Italy |
| Aug 17th - 21st (Mon, Wed, Fri) | Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town | 8:00pm - 9:30pm | 2026 Gregg Russell Summer Concerts |
| Aug 18th | Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny | 7:00pm | Jazz in the Park – Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra: Martin Lesch Band |
| Aug 18th | Fraser’s Tavern | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Tap Takeover |
| Aug 24th - 28th (Mon, Wed, Fri) | Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town | 8:00pm - 9:30pm | 2026 Gregg Russell Summer Concerts |
View our full events calendar for more information and up-to-date listings here.
Planning Tips for Your Active August Adventure: Tennis, Pickleball, and Golf on Hilton Head Island
August is an amazing time to get active on Hilton Head Island, with early morning tee times becoming more available as the busy season winds down and National Golf Month officially kicking off. With beautiful weather and quiet mornings lasting through the end of summer, it’s no wonder golf, tennis, and pickleball are thriving in August in the Lowcountry. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your active adventure this month:
Tennis
Did you know that Hilton Head Island boasts eight of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts and camps? Skilled players and beginners alike can enjoy world-class facilities, instructional programs, and rentals at our tennis clubs and courts.
Clubs and Courts:
- Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball: the largest award-winning facility on the Island with 17 tennis courts
- Sea Pines Racquet Club: home to instructional programs led by Stan Smith, 1971 US Open and 1972 Wimbledon champion
- Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club: an excellent spot for all-ages, quality tennis programs led by certified teaching professionals
Lessons and Instruction: Available at Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Sea Pines Racquet Club, and Smith Stearns Tennis Academy
Upcoming Events and Clinics:
Pickleball
This is the fastest-growing sport in the United States for a reason: it’s fun, easy to learn, and great for all ages. Many of our Island’s renowned tennis resorts and clubs are now offering everything from new pickleball courts and clinics to pickleball lessons, leagues, and tournaments. There’s never been a better time to try it out.
Clubs and Courts:
- Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center: offering 24 courts and lessons from a world top 10 professional
- Sea Pines Racquet Club: an ideal spot to play in pickleball round-robin tournaments, every weekday morning, Monday through Friday
- Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club: if you want to focus on the game, the team here can personally arrange a pickleball tournament or getaway for your next group trip
Golf
With 23+ championship courses, great year-round weather, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and natural landscapes of Hilton Head Island, it’s no wonder we’re known as “The Golf Island”. If you didn’t know, August is #NationalGolfMonth, and we’re celebrating by featuring our courses, architects, and favorite landmarks on our social media. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Pinterest so you don’t miss out on all our tips and tricks, and check out all our latest golf offers here.
Events:
| Course Name | Club Name | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Galleon / Brigantine Course | Shipyard Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Golden Bear Golf Club | Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run | Visit the Course |
| Harbour Town Golf Links | The Sea Pines Resort | Visit the Course |
| Heron Point by Pete Dye | The Sea Pines Resort | Visit the Course |
| Atlantic Dunes | The Sea Pines Resort | Visit the Course |
| Bear Creek Golf Club | Bear Creek Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Barony Course | Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club | Visit the Course |
| Oyster Reef Golf Club | Oyster Reef Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Clipper / Galleon Course | Shipyard Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Robert Trent Jones Course | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | Visit the Course |
| Brigantine / Clipper Course | Shipyard Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Robert Cupp Course | Palmetto Hall Plantation Club | Visit the Course |
| Arthur Hills | Palmetto Hall Plantation Club | Visit the Course |
| Dolphin Head Golf Club | Dolphin Head Golf Club | Visit the Course |
| Robber's Row | Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club | Visit the Course |
| George Fazio Course | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | Visit the Course |
| Arthur Hills | Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort | Visit the Course |
How to Experience our Nature and Wildlife in August on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island’s Nature and Wildlife
You might be wondering, “What wildlife can I see on Hilton Head Island in August”? Lucky for you, the Island is home to so many wonderful creatures in our nature parks, on our shores, and in the ocean. See if you can check all of these animals off your list during your visit to see us this month:
- Bottlenose Dolphins: Try spotting them from shore or take a kayak or boat tour for a better chance at spotting these social animals.
- Loggerhead Sea Turtles: It’s currently nesting and hatching season on Hilton Head Island, so you might just get lucky and see a nesting adult turtle coming ashore to nest, or hatchlings emerging and running to the ocean. Remember: keep your distance and turn your flash off if taking photos.
- Birds: Hilton Head Island is home to around 200 species of birds, so you should have no trouble spotting some of them. Look for herons, egrets, bald eagles, snowy owls, ibis, and sandpipers while walking our nature parks, shoreline trails, and marshlands.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to wildlife and conservation for nature lovers on Hilton Head Island here and check out our birdwatching and nature tours here.
Tips for being #IslandKind during your August visit
We are so proud of our natural paradise here on Hilton Head Island, and it’s up to all of us to protect the ecosystems that sustain us and the wildlife around us. Here are some tips to keep in mind to be #IslandKind while visiting our beaches and nature parks:
- Avoid walking or biking through the beach dunes. Use only existing pathways and boardwalks to get to and from the beaches.
- Do not store or place anything on the dunes. This ecosystem is incredibly delicate, and small disturbances can have big impacts on erosion.
- Keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed any of our wild animals you may see during your visit. Feel free to snap a photo of that sea turtle, but be careful not to disturb its natural behaviors while doing so. That means red light only, no flash on your camera, and being a good distance away (at least 6 feet).
- Leave no trace. Make sure you take everything with you that you arrived with, and be sure you leave no trace of your visit to beaches and parks. Knock down any sandcastles and fill in any holes at the end of the day as a kindness to our sea turtles.
- Collecting shells? Make sure they are empty before removing them from the beach. Many critters call these shells home, and you don’t want to end up with a hermit crab in your hotel room. Hilton Head Island has laws in place to protect sand dollars and other beach organisms by preventing disturbing or collecting living beach critters.
- Get more tips about ecotourism and visiting sustainably here.
What to Pack for your August Vacation to the Lowcountry
August is waiting for you on America’s Favorite Island® and we can’t wait to welcome you, but wait! What should you bring with you on an August adventure? Here’s everything you need to pack to enjoy the Island to the fullest this month:
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Beach coverup and/or something to throw on while grabbing food after a beach day
- Binoculars and a camera (to capture all the incredible scenery and wildlife)
- Sturdy walking shoes that are already broken in
- Watershoes or sandals that can get wet for kayaking and boating
- Light, breathable clothing for tennis, pickleball, and golf
- Light rain gear for scattered showers
- A tote bag or backpack with layers and rain gear, umbrella for those unpredictable days
FAQs
-
The short answer is yes! With beautiful long, sunny days and warm ocean waters, it’s a great time to visit the Lowcountry for a much-needed end-of-summer vacation. Get out on the water with our rental and tour partners here, or check out all of our outdoor activities for more nature adventures. Looking for more reasons to visit during August? Browse our events calendar to see what’s on during your visit and join in on the fun.
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The Hilton Head Island area features a balmy, subtropical climate year-round. August is peak summer, warm and humid, making it perfect for early mornings on the greens and afternoons playing in the refreshing oceans and creeks. The temperatures average highs of 89°F and lows of 74°F throughout the month, and the water temperature ranges from 80°F to 87°F. Get up-to-date weather information here.
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Absolutely, you can (and we highly recommend it). August has some of the warmest ocean temperatures of the year, so it’s a perfect time to jump in the waves, try out paddleboarding, or go on a kayak or boat tour. Make sure you wear sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect from the UV out on the water.
Your July Adventure is Waiting on Hilton Head Island
August is the time to book that last-minute summer vacation before the kids go back to school and work gets busy again. And we all agree that you deserve a little break! Plan your personalized itinerary with our 2026 Vacation Planner or get a custom itinerary and your burning questions answered with our AI-powered chatbot from MindTrip here.
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