☰Hilton Head Island

Over 250 restaurants run the gamut of casual to elegant dining options on the island. Fresh seafood abounds. From five star formal restaurants to fast food and everything in between, every taste and budget is catered to on the island.

Kingfisher Seafood & Steak House

Fresh Fish "Never Frozen", spacious dining (inside or outside deck) on the water, overlooking Beautiful Shelter Cove Harbour & Broad Creek.** **

type: Seafood

Located along the southeastern coast of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island features an excellent climate for relaxation, just 35 minutes from Savannah, 45 minutes from Beaufort, and 1.5 hours from Charleston.

If you are traveling from the north, take Interstate 95 south. Next, take Exit 8 to Highway 278 towards Hilton Head Island. You will travel approximately 30 minutes from I-95 and follow the signs to the Hilton Head Island Bridge. If you are traveling from the South, take Interstate 95 north. Next, take Exit 8 and follow the signs in. Highway 278 goes straight to Hilton Head Island.

The nearest international airport is Savannah, GA, just 45 minutes from the island. Delta, USAirways, AirTran, United Express, Corporate Express/Midway, COMAIR/ DeltaConnection and Continental Express offer several flights daily into Savannah. All flights are met by ground transportation companies.

Taxi service and rental cars are available at the airports. Taxi Rates are $60 from Savannah Airport to Hilton Head Island. Car rental prices averages around $40 for the day.

Contributors October 27, 2005

Driving Directions

By Automobile: From north or south, take I-95 to US 278 (South Carolina Exit 8). Follow US 278 east for approximately 17 miles until you reach Hilton Head Island. Continue on US 278 (William Hilton Parkway) for 10 miles. (Note: On Hilton Head Island, the Cross Island Parkway offers an alternative to US 278, but requires a $1.00 toll.)

type: By Road

Hilton Head Island is well known as an upscale destination and is not exactly meant for the budget conscious. However, the discriminating vacationer can find ways to enjoy the island without breaking the bank.

If you are looking to save some money on your vacation to Hilton Head, consider booking your trip during the off season. Try to schedule your Hilton Head vacation for sometime between February or March, before the busy tourist season which begins in April.

You will find that many villa rentals are discounted at this time of year and bargains can be found. The weather on the island this time of year is quite mild, perfect for golf and cycling or shopping.

Check with the Hilton Head Guest Services information booth at the island's Wal-Mart on Saturdays between 3 and 9 pm. Ask about activities and dining.

If you are planning to stay on the island for more than a week and you have more than two people in your group, it may be wise to look into renting a condo or villa.Try to find one near a grocery store and cook your own meals. You will save money by not eating at restaurants every night.

Rentals located on Forest Beach drive are close to the Piggly Wiggly and Bilo grocery shops. Rentals in Sea Pine are close to a Harris Teeter grocery store.

Contributors October 27, 2005

Oh - the Pollen

Pollen in the area is extremely dense durring the summer months. A fine greenish-yellow powder covers everything here durring the spring and summer months. If you have allergies be prepared with a good supply of anti-histamines and other allergy medicine. In the summer months bugs are a nuisance on the island.

type: Health and Safety

Located at the southern end of Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines Plantation is the island's largest and oldest resort. Sea Pines is skirted by five miles of wide sandy beaches and intersected by salt marshes and winding fresh water lagoons.

In Sea Pines: Harbour Town, with its famous candy striped lighthouse and yacht basin, where the Harbour Town Links and Sea Pines Racquet Club are located; and South Beach with its own marina racquet clubs, shops and restaurants all in a quaint fishing village setting.

Conveniently located mid-island, Palmetto Dunes is a magnificent 2,000 acre oceanfront resort named as one of the top 50 resorts in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. Among its special features are convenient access to uncrowded beaches, three challenging golf course, a world-class tennis facility, and 11-mile lagoon system for fishing and boating, as well as dining.

Spanning the beach front from Shipyard to Sea Pines, Forest Beach is the site of Hilton Head Island's early history. Shopping centers, inns, restaurants, homes, and villas all have been added or modernized; but the charm of a bygone era remains in this lovely ungated community.

Forest Beach attractions: miles of beautiful shoreline, a renowned tennis center, miniature golf and amusements, shopping and churches all within easy walking distance. Shipyard is located between Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes in the midst of the resort oriented southern half of Hilton Head. The homes and villas are built around a challenging 27 hole golf course, and all are a a short distance from the Atlantic Ocean beach, a world class racquet club, and the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel. Shipyard guests have less than a 10 minute ride to almost all of Hilton Head's recreational facilities, restaurants and shopping centers.

Sea Pines Plantation – The Pearl of Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is one of the nicest places to vacation, regardless of what time of year you decide to stay. And I must inform you that a stay in Sea Pines Plantation must be top on your list. The island is home to more than 40,000 full time residents and over 2.2 million vacationers each year. With an average temperature around 70 degrees and so many outdoor activities available, this is a vacation that will keep you active and healthy. Between the golf, the tennis, the cycling paths threading through the live oaks, and miles of beach to walk, you'll struggle to fit it all into a single trip.

type: Hotspots

Hilton Head Island Travel - Courtesy of Hiltonheadislander.com

Hilton Head Island was the first ecologically-planned destination in The United States. Light pollution ordinances are in effect across the island to protect the habits of the loggerhead turtles which sometimes confuse the lights of dwellings and street lights with that of the ocean. Protections are in place to protect the beautiful live oaks and palmetto trees which cover the island. Salt marshes, beaches and lagoons remain in pristine condition across the island. While modern conveniences such as shopping malls and five star hotels are widely available; care has been taken to blend these structures into the native ecology as much as possible.

The 2.5 million travelers who arrive annually to Hilton Head Island find an infinite variety of activities and reasons for visiting. Whether they are searching for a world class golf vacation, relaxing on the miles of sandy beaches or enjoying the gentle sway of palm trees in unspoiled nature, a stay on Hilton Head Island is sure to pleasethe most discerning of vacationers.

Hilton Head Island is home to the Heritage Classic golf championship and the Celebrity golf tournament. With an average yearly temperature of 70 degrees, visitors to the island are sure to enjoy year round golf on any of the 24 golf courses located on Hilton Head. There are also another 40 golf courses to be found in thesurrounding area, just a short distance from the island.

Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy the many professional courts available on Hilton Head. With over 300 courts to chose from there is no shortage of playing opportunities. Professional tennis instructors are also available to those wishing to improve their games.

With over twelve miles of sandy beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, water lovers will find that Hilton Head Island is a coastal paradise. Whether you just want to relax in the sun or try your hand at scuba diving, waterskiing or dolphin watching there's is something for everyone on the island. Fishing charters, kayak tours, wind-surfing, island cruises and all manner of water activities are available.

If you really want to see the island consider renting a bicycle from one of the numerous bike rental outfits.With miles of bike paths available, many of which take you through nature preserves, this is truly an enjoyable way to experience the natural splendor of the island. At low tide, the beaches of Hilton Head make an excellent bike riding surface.

Over 250 restaurants of every price range and cuisine dot the island. Fresh seafood abounds. From five star formal restaurants to fast food and everything in between, every taste and budget is catered to here.

There are a variety of accommodations available in several price ranges. From hotels to villas, condos to timeshares, you are sure to find lodging which fits your taste and budget.

If you a considering a vacation which includes gorgeous weather, miles of beaches, world class golf, entertainment and dining then explore the many offerings available on Hilton Head Island. For a complete directory of information about the island including accommodations, golf and dining visit:

http://www.hiltonheadislander.com