City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Hilton Head, South Carolina
With a focus on natural beauty, coastal attractions and refined relaxation, Hilton Head is one of the top boating destinations in the U.S. Located just off the coast of South Carolina, it features a variety of wildlife refuges, pristine golf courses and beautiful beaches for fishing, swimming and watersports.
Private boat dock rentals in Hilton Head are prime anchorages to enjoy the culture, charm and attractions of the Lowcountry region. If strolling beneath giant oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and traveling by bike, kayak and golf cart are your thing, you’ll appreciate the island’s beauty and slow pace.
At 42 square miles in size, the barrier island of Hilton Head Island is less than five miles wide and only about 12 miles long. But it has more than 60 miles of bike trails (How’s that for priorities?) So, don’t forget to stow that bike on your boat. Let’s take a look at some of the natural attractions and things to do while boating in Hilton Head.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Live Oak Tree (Photo: Wikimedia)
Located on 68 acres, the Coastal Discovery Museum features natural history and cultural heritage among gardens, towering live oaks (some from the 1800s), wooded trails and butterfly habitats. There’s a camellia garden, native plants, resident horses and trees such as cedar, pecan, bald cypress and Southern magnolia. Vintage buildings include one that dates to 1859.
A really unique exhibit is the carnivorous plants bog garden, which has a variety of insect-eating plants, including the native-to-South-Carolina Venus flytrap. If the kids get fidgety with everything else, you can’t beat that for interest-inducing entertainment. The museum also offers boat trips such as dolphin watching, eco-tours and excursions to nearby Daufuskie Island.
Pirates of Hilton Head
Photo: Pixabay
Looking for something fun to do with the kids (as if carnivorous plants wasn’t enough)? It’s time to live the pirate’s life on a Pirates of Hilton Head Tour aboard the Black Dagger Pirate Ship. Everybody gets a pirate name, and fun and games ensue as your kids become part of the pirate crew on the search for Stinky Pete, a pirate who’s run off with the key to the treasure. There’s face painting, tattoos and a water fight with Stinky Pete himself. This boat tour cruises around Calibogue Sound and lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.
Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum
Photo: Wikimedia
While not actually a functioning beacon, the Harbour Town Lighthouse is the unofficial symbol of Hilton Head. It’s located within the vacation community of Sea Pines at the Harbour Town Marina and serves as the focal point for Harbour Town Golf Link’s 18th hole. If you follow the PGA, you’ll recognize it.
The famous red-and-white-striped landmark was privately built in 1969 and stands at 90 feet tall. The museum consists of photos, Coast Guard exhibits and displays on the lighthouse walls as you walk up to the top where you’ll enjoy views of the harbor, marshes, fairway and more.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Wikimedia
For hiking, biking, hunting and fishing, the 4,053-acre Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge makes a peaceful and scenic destination near private boat slips for rent. It was established to provide a forest environment for conservation and beauty purposes. There are marshes, freshwater ponds, tidal creeks and forest habitats where you’ll see plants and wildlife such as ibis, herons, egrets and the American alligator. The refuge includes many small islands. Pinckney is the largest island and the only one open to the public. It’s bounded by the ICW, so it’s convenient to boat lifts for rent and makes a nice stop-over if you’re doing the Great Loop.
Golf
Photo: Pixabay
If golfing comes after boating on your list of loves, you’ll want to add Hilton Head to your boating bucket list. Second only to its scenic beauty, Hilton Head is renowned for its golf courses. In fact, it’s among the top10 golfing destinations in the world according to Golf Digest. There are more than 33 championship golf courses, with some designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Pete Dye. Several courses offer stunning views of the coastline.
Hopefully you’ve found a few things to do the next time you’re in Hilton Head. Don’t forget the bikes, kayaks, clubs and adventurous attitudes. Or just sit back at boat dock rental and enjoy the sunset. It’s up to you. Happy travels!
