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Hilton Head |
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Hilton Head
With its Spanish moss and stately homes, Hilton Head looks like the Old South, and the languid sea-island days move at an antebellum pace if you let them. But there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. There is also a remarkable array of wildlife on the island—Hilton Head is full of vacation surprises.
Activities and Attractions:
Hilton Head has 12 miles of sandy beaches as beautiful as anything Florida has to offer. The water is generally safe for swimming, and the hard-packed sand is perfect for strolling or even biking.
The beaches aren’t just popular with people. Loggerhead turtles come ashore during the summer to lay eggs, and it’s not at all unusual to spot dolphins frolicking very close to shore. Amberjack, mackerel, and even shark frequent the coastal waters, and crabs are plentiful.
Hilton Head is not always warm enough for swimming, but one thing you can count on year-round is golf. The 42-square-mile island harbors 24 courses, many of which were designed by the top names in the game, including Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus.
Hilton Head rewards unstructured exploration. Hop on a bike and take to any of the 25 miles of live-oak shaded trails. If you’re lucky, you may spot deer, and if the vacation gods are really smiling on you, you could come across an elusive bobcat.
Insider Tip:
Hilton Head alligators are so comically large (up to 12 feet long), and the locals are so nonchalant about them that many visitors assume they are oddly placed sculpture. They aren’t—they’re wild creatures that can move a lot faster than you might guess. The good news is that they are docile unless provoked. Leave them alone (this means no posing for photos with them) and they’ll return the favor.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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