The beach is calling
Beaches, beaches and more beaches. Hilton Head Island’s official beach season runs from April 1 through Sept. 30. Parking meters cost 25 cents (quarters only) per 15 minutes. Lifeguards are stationed at designated areas. Restrooms, water fountains and soda machines are available at most beaches. All beaches are public, but access to the beach may be private in plantations or other residential areas.
Alder Lane
Alder Lane Beach is near Marriott’s Grande Ocean Resort, off South Forest Beach Drive, with parking across the street on Woodward Drive. Twenty-four metered spaces are available, two are handicap accessible. The designated swimming area is 100 feet to the north, and 100 feet to the south. The park has restrooms, parking meters and beach matting for wheelchairs.
Chaplin Community Park
Off William Hilton Parkway between Burkes Beach Road and Singleton Beach Road, this beach park is one of the town’s gems. In addition to sports fields and a dog park, it has restrooms, a playground, showers and extensive parking.
Coligny Beach
The entrance to Coligny Beach, located off Coligny Circle at Pope Avenue, now has a glorious fountain where children and adults cool off, rinse off and play. There is also a new bathhouse with restrooms and showers. Parking is across the street in the 374-space lot in front of the Holiday Inn. The designated swimming area is from The Breakers to Holiday Inn. Facilities include seasonal rentals of beach equipment, and beach matting for wheelchairs. Lifeguards work the beach in season.
Driessen Beach Park
Driessen Beach Park is located mid-island, at the end of Bradley Beach Drive. The paid parking lot has 212 regular spaces and six handicapped spaces. Services include seasonal lifeguards, beach equipment rental in season, restrooms, showers, a boardwalk and beach matting for wheelchairs. It also has a playground, picnic shelters and grills.
Folly Field
Folly Field Beach Park is located mid-island at the end of Folly Field Road. The parking lot accommodates 52 vehicles with two handicap-accessible spaces. Features include seasonal beach equipment rentals, lifeguards in season, beach matting for wheelchairs, restrooms with showers and a boardwalk.
Mitchelville Beach Park
Hilton Head Island’s newest beach park is on Port Royal Sound adjacent to Barker Field sports fields on Mitchelville Road off Beach City Road. It has restrooms, parking, outdoor showers, water fountain and beach matting for wheelchairs.
DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREAS
• Official swimming areas have been designated for the Alder, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, and Islanders beaches. The boundaries of these areas will be clearly marked on the beach and in the water.
• During the beach season lifeguards are stationed in each of the designated swimming areas and other heavily populated beach areas for assistance and beach information. Please ask a lifeguard before entering the water if the yellow caution flag is flying.
• The stretch of beach under Town of Hilton Head Island jurisdiction extends from the southern shores of Fish Haul Creek (Port Royal Sound) southward to Calibogue Sound.
Beaches, beaches and more beaches. Hilton Head Island’s official beach season runs April 1 through Sept. 30. Parking meters cost 25 cents (quarters only) per 15 minutes. Lifeguards are stationed at designated areas. Restrooms, water fountains and soda machines are available. All beaches are public, but access to the beach may be private in plantations or other residential areas.
HEAD NORTH FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
Hunting Island State Park
Five miles of sandy shores, thousands of acres of marsh, a saltwater lagoon and an ocean inlet are features of Hunting Island State Park. Educational programs, bike rentals, a fishing pier and boating opportunities abound. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. during daylight saving time). Admission is $5 a person for adults, $3 for ages 6-15, ages 5 and under are free.
In addition to walking miles of beaches and paths, visitors can climb the Hunting Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse was originally built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after it was destroyed during the Civil War. Climb the 175 steps to the observation deck for a view of the island and the surrounding area. Details: 843-838-2011; www.huntingisland.com.
The Sands in Port Royal
At the end of Paris Avenue is a simple sign that points to The Sands, a peninsula jutting into the Beaufort River and a perfect spot to spend a lazy afternoon or make the starting point for a day on the water. Aquatic life is abundant along the shoreline. Those who aren’t attracted to the beach can get a look at the river and some of its inhabitants from a boardwalk stretching along the marshy shore next to the beach and boat ramp. A protected reef along the walkway harbors an oyster colony, and an observation tower offers views of the islands between Port Royal and the ocean. The beach also is a great place to look for fossilized sharks teeth.
In a county full of coastline, islands and waterways, locals know The Sands is one of the few free beaches in northern Beaufort County. They also know it is usually free of crowds.
This story was originally published April 18, 2014 at 3:18 PM with the headline "The beach is calling."