Hilton Head Island 2008
 www.hiltonheadisland.com
 
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
BEACH INFORMATION PAGE

The Town of Hilton Head Island formed Beach Rules & Regulations in 1995. The Rules are to assure a safe, clean and pleasant atmosphere on our 12 miles of beautiful Island Beaches. We ask all of our Island Visitors and Residents to observe the Beach Rules & Regulations.

6.5 miles of our Beach were renourished during 1997. The Town of Hilton Head Island's recent BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT began on 9/11/06 along a section of Port Royal Sound.  The $16 million project replenished the sand on about 6 miles of beach. The project was completed in early 2007 and should last for 7-9 years.

New Rules governing people who operate personal watercraft in Beaufort County waters began May 6, 1997. The Rules are contained in the South Carolina Personal Watercraft and Boating Safety Act of 1996.

Family Beach Portraits

Click HERE to view monthly TIDE TABLES.

Scroll down the Page to see the Annual Beach Rules, Public Access to Beach, Average Air & Ocean Temperatures, Personal Watercraft Rules and First Aid Tips.

Hilton Head Island Beach Regulations


Animal Regulations:

  • April 1, 2008 - May 26, 2008 - Animals must be on a leash between 10 AM and 5 PM.
  • The Friday (5/23/08) before Memorial Day (5/26/08) until Monday (9/1/08) of Labor Day weekend - NO animals allowed on the beach between 10 AM - 5 PM.
  • Tuesday (9/2/08) after Labor Day (9/1/08) - September 30, 2008 - Animals must be on a leash from 10 AM - 5 PM.
  • October 1, 2007 - April 1, 2008 - No leashes required at any time. The animal IS required to be under positive voice control.
  • On the beach or not, local law requires owners to clean up after their pets.

Seasonal Rules from April 1 - September 30, 2008

  • No Stunt Kites between 10 AM - 6 PM.
  • No sand-sailing between 10 AM - 6 PM.
  • No fishing or surf casting in designated swimming areas.
  • No surfboards, boogie boards or other articles to ride the surf in designated swimming areas.
  • No frisbees or other team sports involving a ball in designated swimming areas.
  • No games with metal components (such as metal horseshoes) in designated swimming areas.

Prohibited at the Beach all year long:

  • Liquor, beer or wine.
  • All forms of glassware.
  • Shark fishing.
  • Horses.
  • Sleeping on the beach after midnight.
  • The operation, launching or landing of motorized watercraft ( except in emergencies ).

Public Access to Hilton Head Island Beaches:

The Town of Hilton Head Island provides four (4) Public Beach Accesses as follows:

  1. Alder Lane Beach Access off South Forest Beach Drive - Parking available.
  2. Beachfront at Coligny Circle - Parking available.
  3. Driessen Beach Park at the end of Bradley Beach Road - Parking available.
  4. Folly Field Beach Park off Folly Field Road - Parking available.
  5. All Plantations with beaches have numerous beach access points for their guests.
  6. All major Island Hotels have beach access for their guests.

Note: Islander Beach Park at the end of Folly Field Road opened in early 1999. The Beach Park is for Property Owners on Hilton Head Island and all cars parking there must have a beach bumper sticker obtained from the Town of Hilton Head Island. The annual cost is $15 per car.

The newest beach access point opened 4/7/05 at Fish Hall Creek Park located on 31 acres next to Fish Haul Creek at 284 Beach City Road. Facilities include a bathroom, picnic pavilion, trails leading to Port Royal Sound ad an observation deck overlooking the marshes.

Monthly Average Air & Ocean Temperatures

MONTH AIR OCEAN
JAN 59 52
FEB 61 54
MAR 67 59
APR 76 67
MAY 82 75
JUN 86 82
JUL 89 84
AUG 89 84
SEP 84 80
OCT 77 73
NOV 69 63
DEC 61 54
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT RULES - effective 5/6/97
  • No personal Watercraft may be operated at night.
  • All passengers on the craft must wear an approved flotation device.
  • People under 16 who want to ride a watercraft of 15 horsepower or more without an adult must first pass a safety training course.
  • The craft must be equipped to circle or shut off if the rider falls off.
  • No vessel may exceed idle speed within 50 feet of a moored vessel or other fixed object or person, NOR WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST.
  • No one may jump a wake within 200 feet of the vessel creating it.
  • Anyone younger than 12 in a boat must wear a flotation device.
  • No boater may harass wildlife.

First Aid Tips

We hope you don't have any problems while visiting Hilton Head Island, or if you live on Hilton Head Island. But, if you do have any of the following problems, we offer some helpful hints for you:

Sunburn - Soak in cool water unless skin is broken or blistered. Ibuprofen may help.

Bee Stings - Apply a baking soda paste and ice. If allergic, seek medical help.

Jelly Fish Stings - Apply vinegar, sugar, salt or dry sand. After 20 min., rinse with salt water.

Crab Bites - rinse well, disinfect, and apply antibiotic ointment. May need stitches.

Tick Bites - DO NOT attempt to remove the tick. Cover with vaseline or a film of oil. When insect is free, remove with tweezers. Look for flu-like symptoms for up to two weeks. If this occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

Snake Bites - CALL 911. Use a compression dressing just above site, NOT a tourniquet.

Oyster Shells - cuts and abrasions can result in serious infections. Medical treatment advised.

Alligators - Do NOT go near alligators. They run very fast. Do NOT feed or tease !

Sting Ray - rinse with water and apply heat to neutralize sting. Seek medical attention.

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