The Kayaker's Guide to Hilton Head Island
Welcome to America’s Favorite Island—best explored by sea. Grab your life vest—and your sense of adventure—and take in the natural beauty of Hilton Head by kayak. Navigate creeks, lagoons, and rivers as you glimpse the Lowcountry's unforgettable scenery and native wildlife.
For accommodations that are close to the action, discover an oceanfront oasis at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. Settle in to spacious accommodations, indulge in luxury amenities, and savor fine dining with delicious indoor or al fresco options. Best of all, with direct access to the beach you’re just a hop, skip, and a paddle away from a day spent on the water.
Hilton head island’s bang for the buck golf itinerary
Tucked in the historic and picturesque South Carolina Lowcountry—30 miles north of Savannah and 90 miles south of Charleston—Hilton Head Island is an idyllic island paradise known for its world-class golf. Making this enchanting haven all the more appealing are unspoiled sea marshes, creeks and lagoons, and 12 miles of broad Atlantic beach.
The Mysterious Sea Pines Shell Ring
THE FIRST VISITORS arrived on Hilton Head Island 4,000 years ago. This is no typo: 40 centuries in the distant past, Archaic (means “early”) Indians migrated across North America and arrived on its coastal islands. Evidence—from fossils to tools and ceramics found here—shows that the Ancient Ones came to the coast to hunt small game and harvest seafood on barrier islands. Hilton Head Island is the largest island on the Southeast Coast, and it was a popular destination for yes, our first tourists. And like loyal visitors, they returned again and again. The evidence lies deep in the heart of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. See for yourself: all you have to do is find the ancient ring.
Spanish Moss: The True Story
Spanish moss hangs in silvery-gray strands from weathered live oaks. Newcomers are quick to ask: “Doesn’t that ‘fungus’ kill the tree? The short answer: no and no. Spanish moss is not a fungus (or a moss, for that matter!) and it doesn’t harm the tree. In fact, lacy plant just may be the key to the survival of coastal forests.
A well-traveled member of the pineapple family, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) ranges from coastal Virginia to Argentina. It is an “epiphyte,” or air plant that only hangs from branches to take in sunlight, rainwater, and nutrients in dust.
The Birdwatcher’s Guide to Hilton Head Island
Sandy coastlines, lush green forests, and protected wetlands make Hilton Head Island a welcoming environment for birds of all types and sizes. From delicate sandpipers to majestic osprey and bald eagles, plenty of feathered friends make their home here in the Lowcountry. If you’d like to catch a glimpse, you’re in luck! Grab your binoculars and get ready to discover the birds of Hilton Head Island.
Five Fun Facts about Hilton Head Island Wildlife
There’s the great outdoors. And then there’s the greatest outdoors, Hilton Head Island. A world of natural wonders awaits you in Lowcountry! Hilton Head Island’s devotion to environmental preservation has become a model for other developments around the country. Locals and visitors alike love the stunning scenery and wonderful wildlife of Hilton Head Island. Whether you’re out on the water, zip-lining over the marsh, or biking along the beach, you’re bound to spot some incredible local wildlife while here.
Check out these fun facts about Hilton Head Island wildlife, and use them to impress your friends and family with your knowledge during your next Lowcountry vacation.
