The Top Things to Do This Summer on Hilton Head Island
Planning your summer escape to Hilton Head Island? You’ve come to the right place! Let us be your local guide to a Hilton Head Island summer. Whether your perfect day involves lazing at the beach, playing 18 holes with an ocean view, or heading out on the water in a kayak or paddleboard, there is something for everyone on America’s Favorite Island® — and you’re invited to experience it all.
Summer Events on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island comes alive in the summer months. There’s live music, plenty of laughter, and a hint of ocean breeze. From fireworks and jazz under the stars to festivals and family fun, here are some can’t-miss summer events on Hilton Head Island:
- “Wild Bees” Exhibition: Delight in wildlife macro photography at the Coastal Discovery Museum’s “Wild Bees” exhibit through August 17th and explore the beauty and science behind America’s native bees.
- Movie Nights in the Park: Bring a lawn chair and a blanket and get cozy for a family-friendly movie night at Shelter Towne Centre every Thursday evening through August 14th.
- HarbourFest: A weekly celebration with live music and entertainment, kid-friendly activities, and Tuesday night fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. HarbourFest brings the unmistakable coastal energy of Hilton Head Island to life. Their Fourth of July fireworks display is truly one for the books.
- Jazz in the Park: On select Tuesdays throughout the summer, put down a picnic blanket and immerse yourself in the live music scene at the Jazz in the Park series put on by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in Lowcountry Celebration Park.
- Summer: The Donna Summer Musical: Broadway arrives in the Lowcountry this summer with Summer: The Donna Summer Musical from July 9th through August 17th. Get your tickets early and get ready to sing, dance, and get your toes tapping.
There’s so much going on here this summer! Explore our full summer calendar to find the perfect event for you.
Outdoor Activities on Hilton Head Island
If the natural beauty of the Lowcountry is calling, explore our 70+ miles of paved leisure pathways or one of our beautiful scenic trails. Renting a bike is one of the most popular ways to traverse these pathways, but you can also opt to take your time on foot and listen to the soundscape of bird songs and ocean waves all around you. Hilton Head Island also boasts 12 miles of white sand beaches to enjoy, whether you’re catching a sunrise, cycling, or simply relaxing under the summer sun. Browse our list of outdoor and recreation partners here.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check out our pathway map for pedestrians and cyclists before embarking on your outdoor adventure.
Water Activities on Hilton Head Island
Take advantage of the warmest waters on the Eastern Seaboard by getting active in the ocean this summer. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat for some water-filled fun at your own speed, or book a guided tour for a more curated experience. Book with Outside Hilton Head for a wide array of watersports and rental options, or check out the dolphin tours, sport crabbing, and sailing charters offered out of Shelter Cove if you’re staying nearby. Craving a more up-close and personal experience? Head out with Island Skiff Tours aboard one of their two-person skiff boats for a nature and dolphin excursion along their 25 to 30-mile route.
Explore more water activities and make it an easy breezy summer.
Golf, Tennis, and Pickleball: Game on in the Lowcountry
Golf and tennis are some of America’s favorite pastimes — and when you pair them with the pristine courts and fairways on America’s Favorite Island®, you have a match made in an island paradise. If you’re planning a trip packed with tee times, tennis matches, lounging at the club, or practicing your swing, keep reading!
Hilton Head Island is a golf lover’s paradise and is home to 23 courses that offer plenty of challenges for seasoned players and beginners alike.
First up is Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, made up of the Robert Trent Jones course and driving range, the George Fazio course, and the Arthur Hills course. Notably, the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is the first resort in the area to offer the brand-new Toptracer driving range experience. Be one of the first guests to try out this new technology this summer and play against friends, tee off on virtual courses, and receive instant shot feedback!
Over at The Sea Pines Resort, you can find Harbour Town Golf Links, one of the most celebrated courses on the PGA Tour, Heron Point by Pete Dye, and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, a reconstruction of Hilton Head Island’s very first golf course, previously known as The Ocean Course.
However, we aren’t only known for our championship golf courses; Hilton Head Island has eight of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts and camps as well. Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center has 17 clay tennis courts and 24 dedicated pickleball courts, many of which are lit for night-time play. If you’ve never tried the fastest-growing sport in America, be sure to check out their comprehensive instructional pickleball programs! The Port Royal Racquet Club is another great tennis and pickleball destination and features rentals, events, and instruction across eight tennis courts and two pickleball courts.
The Sea Pines Racquet Club also boasts an impressive tennis and pickleball program. Adult and junior guests — whether staying at the resort or not — can enjoy instruction, rentals, and exclusive experiences like the Stan Smith Ultimate Tennis Vacation Package for adults and the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy for youth. Both are led by Stan Smith himself, a Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, member of seven winning U.S. Davis Cup teams, and former U.S. Olympic men’s tennis coach.
There really is something for everyone on Hilton Head Island - plan your ideal golf, tennis, and pickleball vacations today!
Do it all on Hilton Head Island this Summer
All summer long, Hilton Head Island delivers the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and charm. Whatever your summer plans, the Lowcountry is the place to do it all.
Ready to start planning your summer getaway? Request your free Hilton Head Island Vacation Planner and Golf Guide so you don’t miss a thing during your visit to America’s Favorite Island®.
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