South Beach (Hilton Head Island)

South Beach certainly lives up to its name since it’s the southernmost beach on Hilton Head Island. This place is known for its gorgeous sunset views, famous Salty Dog Café, and South Beach Marina located within walking distance from the beach.

Except for swimming, sunbathing, watching dolphins who are frequent visitors to these waters, and treating oneself to a wonderful cuisine in a waterfront seafood cafe, the South Beach area also offers miles of paved bike trails to explore and the South Beach Racquet Club for sports enthusiasts to visit.

Location and Access

South Beach is located in Sea Pines at the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island (“on the toe” of the island as some people say comparing the shape of the island to that of a foot).

There is a parking area for those traveling by car. Besides, you can use free transportation on the Sea Pines trolley. There are long wooden boardwalks leading down to the beach but most of these access points are private. However, there is a public access point just northwest of the Salty Dog.

Establishments in the Area

You can replenish your supplies in the South Beach General Shop. The best places to eat and have a couple of drinks include the waterfront Salty Dog Café with an outdoor bar, Kiwi’s Island Grill, and Land’s End Tavern. If you are a racquet sport enthusiast, you should pay a visit to the local Racquet Club at 230 South Sea Pines Drive, which is just a 7-minute walk from the beach.

Beach Facilities

There are well-maintained restrooms and outdoor showers. All the toilets are sufficiently supplied with toiletries.

Sand and Water

The beach is huge and usually not crowded. The sand is clean, without trash. The water is very calm. However, this side of the island can have really strong rip tides so please exercise caution when in the water. Between April and October, it is recommended to bring a bug spray in the evening since there are lots of little flies.

Scenic Views

South Beach is always a great place to see a perfect sunset or sunrise! It’s not an open sea area so you can also see Daufuskie Island and Tybee Island on the horizon. Dolphin sightings are also very common since dolphins feed close to the beach during low tide. If you like long walks in a scenic and serene ambiance, South Beach is the place of choice.

Dog Policies

Dogs are allowed on the beach. You can bring your dog off-leash any time during the off-season and during certain hours in summer.

Driving Time

• 2 hours 25 minutes from Charleston, SC
• 4 hours 10 minutes from Charlotte, NC
• 4 hours 30 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:

• Nearby rentals from VRBO.
• Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near South Beach (Hilton Head Island) which you can visit:

• Daufuskie Island Beach (3 miles)
• Bloody Point Beach (3 miles)
• Alder Lane Beach Access (4 miles)
• Coligny Beach Park (5 miles)
• Tybee Island North Beach (6 miles)