Hilton Head reopens more beach access points. What you need to know
Hilton Head Island leaders opened more beach access points starting Friday as the state lifts restrictions related to the coronavirus.
The Town Council voted Tuesday to reopen all town beach parks except one: Burkes Beach.
But not all the parks are available to everyone.
Two beach parks — Islanders Beach Park and Driessen Beach Park — will be limited to beach pass holders only, according to the town council’s vote, which passed 6-1.
Hilton Head’s largest beach access point, the Coligny Beach parking lot, will be opened up to all cars, but will only be allowed to fill to 50% capacity. The lot has over 400 spaces.
“The purpose ... of reopening all the beach parks is to spread out the population as opposed to clustering them together,” Mayor John McCann said.
The council also voted to reopen Shelter Cove Community Park, Squire Pope Rowing and Sailing Center and Barker Field parks. Jarvis Creek Park and Crossings Park were reopened starting May 7.
Burkes Beach will not be reopened May 15 because the park does not have a large parking lot. Nearby Chaplin Park, which is often used for beach parking, is still closed.
Previously, only two beach access points were reopened, and the accompanying parking lots were open only to beach pass holders.
Town beach parks were closed March 21 to encourage residents and visitors to stay home. As other beaches around the state reopen, the Town of Hilton Head Island has taken a more measured approach.
While parking lot capacity has varied since May 1, when Coligny Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park reopened, Hilton Head’s beaches have been relatively busy.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies and lifeguards have been spotted patrolling beaches, although the number of people who can be at the beach at any one time is not limited. Beachgoers are not required to wear masks.
Which Hilton Head beaches are open?
Here’s a breakdown of which beaches are open and the rules at each one:
Alder Lane: Open to all starting Friday.
Burkes Beach: Closed.
Coligny Beach: Open to all starting May 15. Parking lot is limited to 50% capacity, and all cars can park there. The park’s bathrooms are open. Previously, the parking lot was limited to beach pass holders.
Driessen Beach Park: Open to beach pass holders only starting Friday. Parking lot will be open to 100% capacity.
Fish Haul/ Mitchelville Beach Park: Open to all starting Friday.
Folly Field Beach Park: Open to all starting Friday.
Islanders Beach Park: Open to beach pass holders only. Parking lot open to 100% capacity. The park’s restrooms are open.
How do I get a Hilton Head beach pass?
Hilton Head Island residents and property owners within the town limits are eligible to buy beach passes.
The application for a beach pass may be downloaded from the town’s website.
The completed application and $30 payment then must be mailed to 12A Gateway Circle or dropped off in the secure dropbox at the town facilities headquarters at 12A Gateway Circle.
Beach passes will then be mailed to the applicant.
More information can be found at the town’s website.
For a comprehensive list of beach questions and answers, check out The Island Packet’s online beach guide.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 3:25 PM.
