Hickory Forest Beach

White sand beach
19 Hickory Forest Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, USA
58 miles from Charleston, SC
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality
Unknown (read more)

Beach amenities

  • Pet friendlyBring your little friends!
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

The beach is accessible to Hilton Head Plantation owners only.

Dogs are allowed on a leash only.

There are no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at your own risk.

Nestled along a remote and quiet bay shore, Hickory Forest Beach is one of the most tranquil and natural beaches on Hilton Head Island. Here, you feel rather being in a state park than on a city beach.

Note that Hickory Beach is a private beach located within the gated community of Hilton Head Plantation. It is only accessible by Hilton Head Plantation owners and their guests who need to obey the beach rules described below. No one else is allowed to enter the beach.

Location

Hickory Forest Beach is located in the northern part of Hilton Head Island where you can also find several golf clubs and many private cottages. The address details: 21 Hickory Forest Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Beach Access

Once you’re in the Hickory Forest area, the beach is easy to access by walking. There is a wooden boardwalk leading from the forest out to the shore. The beach is natural and secluded, with beautiful white sand.

When planning a visit, check the tide schedule. If you have small kids, you might want to go during the low tide when there is a big shallow area for splashing and wading. The waves are usually small since the beach is located on the bay shore and not in the open ocean. There are no lifeguards on duty so swimming is at your own risk.

Facilities

This part of the shore is not commercialized so bring anything you may need with you (like chairs, umbrellas, food, drinks, bug spray, etc.).

Dog Rules

The beach is dog-friendly so you can take your furry friend with you. Just don’t forget to take a doggy bag and pick up after your pet during the walk to keep the beach clean and beautiful. According to the beach rules, all pets must be leashed.

Driving Time

  • 2 hours 15 minutes from Charleston, SC
  • 4 hours 5 minutes from Charlotte, NC
  • 4 hours 25 minutes from Atlanta, GA

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Hickory Forest Beach which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Phil R.
Photos from Google Maps
Wooden boardwalk leading from Hickory Forest to the beachSeashoreNarrow sandy beach stripHickory Forest SC
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: Do you know how long Hickory Forest Beach is? Also, is there a barrier between that beach and Dolphin Beach? We are looking at a property near Hickory Forest Beach, and I'm wondering how far one can walk north or south along that beach - and whether it is possible or impossible to walk to other beach areas which border Hickory Forest Beach.
Asked by Weatherford Thomson 4 months ago
Answer: Hickory Forest Beach is about 1 mile long. If you go along the narrow beach strip, you can reach Fish Haul Beach Park in the south and Dolphin Beach in the north. However, to get precise information about any barriers that bay be there, you'd better contact Dolphin Head Golf Club administration at (843)681-55-50 and Fish Haul Beach Park administration at (843)341-46-00. Also, Hickory Beach is a private beach located within the gated community of Hilton Head Plantation, and no one else is allowed to enter the beach, meaning that to be able to get to this beach, the property you're looking for must belong to Hilton Head Plantation. Hope this helps!

Hickory Forest Beach videos

Fun things to do on Hilton Head Island
An interesting video with beautiful aerial views of the island
Alligator on Hilton Head Island
A scary video of the island's fauna

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 19 Hickory Forest Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
Other beaches nearby
Explore other beaches near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Fish Haul Beach Park
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
1 mi away
Mitchelville Beach Park
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
1 mi away
Hickory Forest Beach reviews and photos
Reviewed on: January 4, 2023
Reviewed on: August 20, 2020