Hilton Head beach guide: Which beaches are open and where to park
This story was last updated June 3 at 8:30 a.m.
Before you load up the chairs and beach toys, be sure you’re familiar with the rules on Hilton Head Island’s beaches due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All Hilton Head beach access points are now open, and nearly all town parking lots are, too.
Pet rules have changed to mark the start of the busy season on the beach.
First, it’s important to know the difference between the beach, a public beach access point, and a private access point:
- Beach: The sand itself from dunes to the waterline is public and owned by the state of South Carolina. There are no privately owned beaches on Hilton Head Island.
- Public access point: This is where people can pass through a town-owned park to get to the beach. It’s not connected to a hotel or rental and can be used by anyone. These can be closed by the town or by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster.
- Private access point: Although the beach is public, a beachfront home, hotel or rental can have a private access point for its guests or residents. These access points cannot be closed by the town or McMaster.
Here are some answers to your burning beach questions:
Which Hilton Head beaches are open?
All beach access points are open as of May 22.
Coligny Beach Park on the south end and Islanders Beach Park near the Westin opened May 1.
Other public beach access points, including Mitchelville/ Fish Haul, Folly Field, Driessen and Alder Lane, opened May 15.
Burkes Beach opened starting May 22.
Nearby Chaplin Park, which is often used for beach parking, reopened May 30.
Can I bring my dog to Hilton Head’s beaches?
Pet rules on the beaches have not changed due to the coronavirus.
As of May 22, pets are not allowed on all but one island beaches from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., pets must be on a leash or under positive voice control.
On Fish Haul Creek Beach, pets are allowed at all times but must be on a leash.
Pet rules will change again after Labor Day.
Source: Town of Hilton Head Island
Where do I park to go to Hilton Head’s beaches?
All town parking lots associated with beach parks are open.
On-street and metered parking on Burkes Beach Road is closed, although nearby Chaplin Park is open for beach parking.
Islanders Beach Park’s parking lot, which was previously open to the public, is only open to beach pass holders. Even the metered spaces are only available to beach pass holders, who will not have to pay to park there.
Parking meters started running again May 22, but beach pass holders may park in any marked space without paying an additional fee.
Coligny Beach Park is open to 100% capacity. The lot has over 400 parking spaces.
Free overflow parking is available at Cast Net Court for Burkes Beach visitors and at the USCB Hospitality Campus for Coligny Beach Park visitors.
Palmetto Breeze shuttles beach visitors back and forth from the campus to Coligny Beach Park from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The shuttle is free.
You should not park on private property, such as at shopping centers, restaurants or the homes of people who have not given permission, to access the beaches.
Have the Hilton Head beaches been busy?
It depends on the time.
At the start of May, beaches were packed with people on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Memorial Day weekend was very busy on the island’s beaches.
On weekdays, the beaches have been less crowded.
If you’re going to the beach, check the tide table and try to go at or around low tide, when the beach is much larger and more accommodating to social distancing.
Can I get to the beach from my Hilton Head hotel or rental?
All beaches on Hilton Head Island are public.
Rentals and hotels with private beach access such as a dune boardwalk or path are not affected by the town’s past park closures.
Will I get a ticket for being on Hilton Head’s beaches?
Beaches are under surveillance by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
You will not be ticketed for accessing the beach through any town beach parks, but you can be apprehended for breaking laws on the beach, such as those that prohibit:
Alcoholic liquor, beer, wine
Glass (bottles, containers, etc.)
Littering
Indecent exposure (nudity)
Disorderly conduct
Disturbing the peace
Unauthorized vehicles
Fires and fireworks
Shark fishing
Removing, harming, or harassing any live beach fauna (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
From May 15 through May 17, Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies issued around 60 warnings for drinking alcohol on the beach, spokesperson Maj. Bob Bromage told The Island Packet.
In addition to the laws, the town has adopted three new beach rules since last summer:
- No shovels made of materials other than wood or plastic. All shovels must be less than 30 inches long and 6 inches wide.
- No holes greater than 12 inches deep. Holes must be filled in after use. This protects visitors from getting injured if they step in a hole and sea turtles from getting trapped or injured if they fall in one.
- No tents, towels, chairs, coolers or other personal belongings should be left overnight. Town crews will remove and dispose of Items left behind.
Source: Town of Hilton Head Island
Can I bring chairs and umbrellas to the beach?
Yes. Town ordinances do not ban beach chairs, umbrellas and towels.
Beach chair and umbrella rental restarted Memorial Day weekend.
Those using the beaches should practice social distancing and remove their equipment at the end of the day to avoid affecting sea turtle nesting.
Is it safe to be on the beach?
Lifeguards are patrolling the beaches, and anyone using the beach is encouraged to remain several feet from others, town leaders said.
Town restrooms at beach parks are open and cleaned regularly, Town Manager Steve Riley said.
Beachgoers are not required to wear masks on the beach, and thus far the town has not restricted the number of people on the beach.
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.
Should I cancel my vacation to Hilton Head?
While it’s a deeply personal decision to choose whether to travel, many have taken to Facebook groups and even The Island Packet to ask whether they should cancel upcoming trips to Hilton Head.
Here are some facts that may help you make your decision:
- Island restaurants were allowed to reopen outdoor dining as of May 4 and indoor dining as of May 11. Many restaurants are still doing pickup and curbside food service.
- All beach access points are open. The beach itself is open and accessible through private access if your hotel or rental offers a dune walkover or pathway.
- You can bring beach chairs and umbrellas to the beach.
- Most island festivals and events are canceled.
- Short-term rental restrictions on visitors from coronavirus hot spots were lifted starting May 4. Visitors from hot spots are no longer required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 2:43 PM with the headline "Hilton Head beach guide: Which beaches are open and where to park."
