Hilton Head is the perfect location for water based activities. Visitors come for the pristine beaches, great fishing, marine life and vibrant sunsets over the water. Exploring the Atlantic Ocean and the local backwaters is a great way to spend your time here. The community has excellent guide services, boat and equipment rentals and access to beaches and water. Do it yourself and guided trips are easy to arrange at Hilton Head.
Kayaking and Paddle Boards
Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the local waters around Hilton Head. These journeys often double as wildlife watching trips as the saltwater marshes and tidal creeks are home to numerous bird, mammal and marine species. You might even run across dolphins that will swim alongside the kayak. Rentals make this an easy trip to arrange and guided tours are also worth considering if you want to learn from a local naturalist. Access to the water is abundant and you can really have fun paddling through backwaters that are remote and loaded with wildlife. Kayaks with pedal drives are really nice because they
Catch a Lunker
Anglers can target a variety of freshwater and saltwater species in the waters here. The Inland Waterway Trails are perfect for walking or kayak fishing and the freshwaters are loaded with largemouth bass. Catching a big bass here is not uncommon and it’s a locals favorite for easy access and great fishing. Kayak rentals and guide charters are available specifically for the freshwater bass.
The saltwater marshes are a favorite for year-round fishing. Redfish are the target species and they are available every single month of the year. Seasonal swings will also open opportunities to catch sea trout, ladyfish, sharks, flounder and sheepshead. The sharks are small and they fight like crazy, making them a major sportfish for local anglers. Fishing from a kayak is advantageous in the saltwater marshes and a boat is ideal for open water angling in the Atlantic. Chartering a local guide for open water trips is perfect for visiting anglers without boats and gear prepared for big water fishing.
Lazy Beach Days
The number of easily accessible beaches is simply amazing. The entire coastline is public but access is best attempted at the well managed public beaches. More than a dozen public access points are easily found and hot spots like Coligny and Mitchellville offer public parking as well. The white sand beaches are perfect for picnics, swimming and playing in the surf. Use public access and walk the public shoreline to find the perfect spot. Privacy is not hard to come by for those willing to walk a short distance. Wheelchair access is even available at Alder Lane, Coligny Park, Driessen Park, Folly Field Park and Islanders Park. Mats are strategically located on the beaches so wheelchairs can still access the waterfront without bogging down in the sand. The mats are also nice for kids and disabled individuals wanting to access the beaches. The waters surrounding Hilton Head are warm and ideal for swimming and splashing around in the surf. Catching waves, body surfing and
Charter a Catamaran or Sail
Want to really get out and explore the Atlantic Ocean? Consider chartering a sailboat or catamaran for an open water tour. You can book short runs and hit the water for a few hours or book an entire day to really open up and cover some ground. Each sailing catamaran or yacht has a different program but most offer sunset trips, half and even full day outings for small groups. The trips frequently cross paths with dolphins and other marine life, making them like a luxury version of the dolphin specific tours. Bring along some snacks and beverages and enjoy the beautiful views on the deck.
Take a Marine Nature Tour
Locating dolphins while kayaking or fishing is not uncommon but a tour is the perfect way to really get up close and personal. Local tours like those run by the Dolphin and Nature tour company use motorized boats and they guarantee sightings of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins on every trip. The tours also have common sightings of sea turtles, pelicans, bald eagles, and more. The tours also frequent historical landmarks like the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Savannah Bridge.
