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Hilton Head is a coastal island along the southern most coast of South Carolina near the Georgia border.  The city of Savannah Georgia is only around 40-minites by car.  Most visitors to Hilton Head Island fly into the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia.  Hilton Head Island is connected to the mainland by a single bridge.  The island is not very large.  At just 12-miles long you can drive from one side of the island to the other in about 20-minutes in light traffic.  The surrounding areas are known as the South's Lowcountry.

Hilton Head Island is a forested island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and grassy marsh lands covering the mainland facing side of the island.  The landscape is adorned with Carolina Sea Pines, White Oaks draped in Spanish Moss, Palmetto Trees, and plenty of Golf Courses.  Abundant fresh water ponds and lagoons are home to native Alligators and many species of birds.  Small herds of deer roam the island woods.  The 12-miles of wide sandy beaches roll up onto grassy dunes.  It's a calm and tranquil place in the off season.

Building height restrictions, signage and lighting ordinances keep the island looking less developed.  Small strip malls and dining establishments appear to be hidden in the trees throughout the island.  Exploring the roads will always lead you to some hidden oasis of shops and restaurants.  At night the roads are not very well illuminated and the small signs can often make it difficult to find your way around.

Those who are not visiting Hilton Head for its fabulous beaches are probably here for the world-class golf.  Hilton Head Island has over 25 golf courses to choose from and over 35 more courses in the Hilton Head area.  Hilton Head is truly a golfer's paradise visited by professional golfers from around the world.  Here is a list of Hilton Head golf courses in alphabetical order.

Bear Creek Golf Club - 18 holes over 6,804 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 237 Whooping Crane Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2522, Ph.(843) 681-2667, 6 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Country Club of Hilton Head - 18 holes over 6,919 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 70 Skull Creek Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-3999, Ph. (843) 681-4653, 6 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Dolphin Head Golf Course - 18 holes over 6,598 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 56 High Bluff Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-1815, Ph. (843) 681-5550, 7 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Golden Bear Golf Course at Indigo Run - 18 holes over 7,014 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 100 Indigo Run Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2222, Ph. (843) 689-2200, 3 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Haig Point Club, The Calibouge/The Haig Course -  18 holes over 7,113 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 10 Haig Point Ct., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3200, Ph. (843) 341-8100, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Haig Point Club, Osprey Course - 9 holes over 3,575 yards with a par of 36 (Private Equity), 10 Haig Point Ct. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3200, Ph. (843) 341-8100, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Long Cove Club -  18 holes over 7,026 yards with a par of 71 (Private Equity), 44 Long Cove Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3305, Ph. (800) 995-4069, 0 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Moss Creek Golf Club, North - 18 holes over 6,555 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 100 Devils Elbow Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-1165, Ph. (843) 837-2231, 7 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Moss Creek Golf Club, South - 18 holes over 6,885 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 100 Devils Elbow Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-1165, Ph. (843) 837-2231, 7 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Oyster Reef Golf Club - 18 holes over 7,027 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 155 High Bluff Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-1847, Ph. (800) 728-6662, 6 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, Arthur Hills Course - 18 holes over 6,651 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 7 Trent Jones Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-7655, Ph. (800) 827-3006, 2 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, Fazio Course - 18 holes over 6,873 yards with a par of 70 (Public), 7 Trent Jones Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-7655, Ph. (800) 827-3006, 2 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, Robert Trent Jones Course - 18 holes over 6,710 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 7 Trent Jones Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-7655, Ph. (800) 827-3006, 2 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Palmetto Hall, Arthur Hills Course - 18 holes over 6,651 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 108 Fort Howell Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2771, Ph. (843) 689-4100, 5 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Palmetto Hall, Robert Cupp Course - 18 holes over 7,079 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 108 Fort Howell Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2771, Ph. (843) 689-4100, 5 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Port Royal Golf Club, Barony Course - 18 holes over 6,530 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 10 Clubhouse Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3804, Ph. (800) 234-6318, 5 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Port Royal Golf Club, Planter's Row - 18 holes over 6,520 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 10 Clubhouse Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3804, Ph. (800) 234-6318, 5 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Port Royal Golf Club, Robber's Row Course - 18 holes over 6,642 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 10 Clubhouse Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3804, Ph. (800) 234-6318, 5 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Sea Pines Country Club -18 holes over 6,346 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 30 Governors Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3034, Ph. (800) 732-7463, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town Golf Links - 18 holes over 6,916 yards with a par of 71 (Public), 11 Lighthouse Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-7271, Ph. (800) 732-7463, 4 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Sea Pines Resort, Heron Point - 18 holes over 6,515 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 100 N Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-5803, Ph. (800) 732-7463, 3 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Sea Pines Resort, Ocean Course - 18 holes over 6,906 yards with a par of 72 (Public), 100 N Sea Pines Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-5803, Ph. (800) 732-7463, 3 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Shipyard Golf Club, Brigantine/Clipper - 9 holes over 3,352 yards with a par of 36 (Public), 45 Shipyard Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-4942, Ph. (800) 348-5078, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Shipyard Golf Club, Galleon/Brigantine - 9 holes over 3,364 yards with a par of 36 (Public), 45 Shipyard Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-4942. Ph. (800) 348-5078, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Spanish Wells Club - 9 holes over 3,052 yards with a par of 36 (Private Non-Equity), 1 Brams Point Rd., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2050, Ph. (843) 681-2819, 3 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

The Golf Club at Indigo Run - 18 holes over 7,072 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity), 101 Berwick Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-2290, Ph. (843) 689-5666, 3 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Wexford Golf Club, Wexford Course - 18 holes over 6,887 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity), 111 Wexford Club Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Ph. (843) 686-8812, 1 mile from the center of Hilton Head Island.

Activities and Adventures

Aside from the outstanding golf, other island activities include tennis, hiking and biking, horseback riding at Lawton Stables, kayaking, fishing, surfing, boating, sailing, parasailing and other water sports.  Island visitors enjoy participating in the daily guided Kayak nature tours through the lowcountry salt marshes and island waterways. Its a great way to spot Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, sea birds and other wildlife.

You'll find plenty of biking trails throughout the island and there are plenty of bike rental establishments.  No trip to Hilton Head is complete without a visit to the Harbour Town Light House in Sea Pines Resort.  The red and white lighthouse is the most photographed spot on Hilton Head.  At the Harbour Town Marina adjacent to the light house you'll also find multi-million dollar yachts, sail boats, shops, bars and restaurants.  Another popular visit at the Sea Pines Resort is the South Beach Marina.  You'll find shops, restaurants and the famous Salty Dog Cafe, a popular hang-out for outdoor patio dining and drinks.

Great day trips include the historic cities of Savannah Georgia and Charleston South Carolina.  Both of these preserved cities will take you back to a different era in time.  Historic tours are offered as well as tours of Savannah's finer haunted houses.  Savannah is a short 40-minute drive to the south while Charleston is around two hours to the north but well worth the scenic drive.  Both cities have excellent restaurants and unique shops.  If you take a day trip to Charleston and are looking for a place to eat, we recommend you try the casual Charleston Crab House for lunch.  If you make the road trip to Savannah, we recommend lunch at Huey's (River Front) Restaurant on the Savannah River.  Both these restaurants are casual dining spots with good atmosphere, good food and reasonable prices.  Both restaurants are recommended by the locals.  From Hilton Head Island you can also take a day cruise on a ferry to Savannah as well as Duefuskie Island and do some popular Dolphin watching along the way.

SHELTER COVE

The Island has great shopping.  The Shelter Cove Marina area has many boutiques as well as a full shopping mall.  Here you can find endless golf fashions at good prices.  Shelter Cove is located across the Palmetto Dunes Resort entrance on the main Highway 278.  Heading off the Island on Highway 278 you'll find the Tanger Outlet Center.  The Center features top name brand outlets from The Gap and Izod to Seiko Watches.  You'll find many sales on quality brand name items.  Back on the Island at Coligny Center there are excellent small gift shops selling beach wear and other tourist items.  Coligny Center also features various casual dining establishments with good food.

Best Island Dining

Nightlife can be scarce on Hilton Head.  Ask the locals or check any of the local activity publications that you can pick up free in front of most supermarkets and shops.  You'll find some live music in local bars and pubs like The Jazz Corner.  There are plenty of drinking establishments and Hilton Head has no shortage of fine dining restaurants.  VoyageMonkey is very impressed with the quality of the food and the service.  Our VoyageMonkey staff visited all of the local favorite restaurants and here are VoyageMonkey's recommendations on the best places to dine.

Michael Anthony's - Michael Anthony's features classic and creative fine regional Italian cuisine with a contemporary flare.  The chef uses only the freshest ingredients to make each homemade dish achieve perfection.  Select from fresh fish, homemade gnocchi, succulent veal dishes or traditional pasta.  The Veal Saltimbocca is superb and the sauteed breast of duck with dried figs, pancetta and mushrooms is a favorite.  The restaurant offers a vast wine list to accompany your meal.  The desserts are fabulous.  The decor features wood tones and soft colors.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the service is excellent.  Michael Anthony's is the best Italian restaurant on Hilton Head if not the best restaurant.

Old Fort Pub - The Old Fort Pub is great for that romantic dinner in an elegant setting with a view of the sunset over the intra-coastal waterway and the surrounding oaks draped in Spanish Moss.  Located beside historic Fort Mitchell, the award winning restaurant features contemporary southern cuisine.  Try the She Crab Soup as a starter.  Entrees include an excellent Sea Island Bouillabaisse and Lowcountry Style Crab Cakes with green tomato and creamy stone ground grits.  The wine list is extensive and offers some excellent half bottle selections.  The restaurant's decor is full of charm inside and out.  The Old Fort Pub has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award along with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence annually.  The service is full of that southern hospitality and the food is excellent.  Also try their sister restaurants, Antonio's and CQ's.

Redfish - Redfish is a combination restaurant & retail wine shop.  If you are into fine wines then Redfish is the place for you.  Redfish offers over 1000 wines.  The knowledgeable staff can help you select your wine for the perfect meal.  The menu is fine Lowcountry southern seafood and steaks with fresh spices, tropical fruits and vegetables creating a fusion of pan-Asian, Cuban and Caribbean flare.  Local favorites include: Mahi Mahi grilled with coconut chile sauce, fried bananas, Cuban black beans and jasmine rice; Blackened Carolina Red Trout with mango & avocado salsa; Latin Ribs with yucca fries; and, Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits with fried Okra.  The food is excellent, reasonably priced and the service is great.  Also try their sister restaurants, The Old Oyster Factory and Alexander's. 

CQ's - The best restaurant in Harbour Town is CQ's.  The restaurant sits nestled under moss draped ancient oaks.  With the feel of a quant country inn the decor features pine wood floors, wooden mantle pieces, stained glass, and the photographs and memorabilia of the local Lowcountry southern culture.  The menu features fine seafood, steaks, game and other contemporary signature dishes with classic American and French influence.  Guests always enjoy the Venison Osso Bucco with gingered apples, chestnuts, barley risotto, and pomegranate glaze.  The extensive wine list offers more than 400 fine wines.  The Martini menu is a favorite among locals.  The restaurant is said to be haunted by the infamous Blue Lady.  If you are out to visit the light house in Harbour Town be sure to dine at CQ's.  They have an excellent early bird menu.  The food is outstanding and the service is excellent.

Alexander's - Alexander's is your best choice for dining in Palmetto Dunes.  Alexander's is a fine seafood & steak restaurant and wine bar.  It annually receives the "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence."  The menu features such favorites as ginger pecan crusted grilled Mahi Mahi, Blue Fin Crab Cakes with a cilantro chile-lime sauce, chargrilled Filet Mignon, and some popular combination seafood dishes.  They also feature a popular early bird menu.  The extensive wine list offers many choices by the glass.  The decor is contemporary and relaxing with several vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles on display.  Dining is also offered on the back enclosed porch along the fresh water pond.  The staff is friendly and very helpful.  Over all - excellent food and great service.

Antonio's - Located in the Village at Wexford, Antonio's is a fine contemporary & classic Italian restaurant.  It offers fresh seafood combined with Italian-Mediterranean cuisine with a new American flare.  Antonio's is rated four diamonds by AAA.  The atmosphere is warm and inviting with its soft traditional decors, Italian art and baby grand piano.  Antonio's is also an annual recipient of the "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence."  The Chef used simple, local, quality produce, meats, and seafood for the freshest dishes.  The menu features fine veal, duck, steak, pork, antipasto and innovative pasta dishes.  A local favorite is the Couscous Dusted Ocean Trout with roasted eggplant and artichokes, toasted caper butter, served with an apricot-almond salad.  Antonio's has an extensive wine list and features many wines by the glass.  The staff is helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.  Antonio's is a great place to eat with fine food and great service.

Other fine dining choices include Catch 22, Truffles Grill, Sage Room, 211 Park Wine Bar & Bistro, and Marley's Island Grill.  Here is our list of other casual dining spots and good quality & value eateries worth mentioning.

Salty Dog Cafe - Best patio dining at this legendary Hilton Head eatery.  Be sure to grab your tourist Salty Dog T-Shirt.  This is a popular cafe for tourists and locals at the South Beach Marina.  Enjoy casual food and drinks inside or on the patio.  At the other end of the marina you'll find their sister restaurant the Wreck of the Salty Dog that also serves good food & drinks and has outside patio dining overlooking the marina.

Old Oyster Factory - A sister restaurant of Redfish and Alexander's, this large seafood restaurant serves traditional seafood overlooking Broad Creek.  The large bar area is a popular happy hour spot.  It's a good family restaurant.  The fresh oysters are very good.

Black Marlin Grill - Great food and great outside patio dining at the Palmetto Bay Marina.  This is a favorite lunch stop for locals.  Enjoy drinks on the patio at their Hurricane Bar.  The menu offers fresh seafood, great salads, and steaks.

Sea Shack - Best super casual dining.  Celebrity talk show and cooking show host Rachael Ray dines at this super casual order-at-the-counter eatery.  The food is seafood with a Caribbean-Jamaican flare.  You order at the counter then sit at non-matching tables with plastic plaid picnic table cloths.  Don't let the tacky decor or the shack ambiance fool you, the food is excellent, plentiful, and the prices are great.

One Hot Mama Bar-B-Que - If you want cheap hearty food like slow cooked baby back ribs, barbeque steaks and hearty bar food try One Hot Mama.  It's got that dive bar feel.  This is a good place to enjoy a beer and that big messy rack of ribs served with a roll of paper towels.  They also feature a children's menu.

Hilton Head Diner - Open 24-hours a day, this 1950's soda fountain style classic dinner features that multi-page extensive menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner you'd expect.  We love that it's an internet hot spot and the staff is so darn friendly even if you just order a coke and want to check your email, they just keep filling up your glass with a smile.

Where to Stay - Best Beach Hotels

Although much of Hilton Head is time-share properties and condos, the Island has some outstanding resort hotels.  We visited most of the popular major hotels and here are our recommendations.

Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa - Located at Two Grasslawn Ave., the resort sits on 24 pristine forested acres along the ocean front.  The Westin has 412 well appointed guest rooms on 5-floors.  Rooms offer private balconies, spacious baths and all modern amenities.  Pets are welcome.  The lush property is well manicured.  You'll find world class golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, croquet, water sports and a beautiful white sandy beach.  Resort amenities include two fine dining restaurants, swimming pool, spa & fitness center, business center and meeting rooms.  The staff is friendly and offer excellent service.  The Westin is VoyageMonkey's top pick.

Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa - Located at One Hotel Circle in Palmetto Dunes, this 10-story 510 room ocean-front resort offers excellent amenities and activities.  Guests will enjoy five championship golf courses, 25 tennis courts, outdoor Olympic pool, children's pool, indoor pool, whirlpools & sauna, spa & fitness center and beach.  Guest rooms include cable TV, in-room movies, coffee and other modern amenities.  The resort offers four on-site dining restaurants, beauty salon, book store, room service and babysitting.  The staff is very helpful and the service is excellent.  You can't go wrong at the Marriott.  A great choice for families.

Crown Plaza Resort Hilton Head Island - Located at 130 Shipyard Drive, The Crown Plaza sits ocean-front on 11 acres of beautiful property within The Shipyard Plantation.  The resort offers 340 guestrooms on 5 floors.  Guestrooms feature a private balcony, mini bars, wired high speed internet access, two line phones, voicemail, in-room movies, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers and safes.  Resort amenities include an indoor pool, whirlpool, men and women saunas, fitness center, golf & tennis, 24-hour business center, outdoor pool and beach.  The resort includes on-site fine & casual dining, room service, cocktail lounge, gift shop, bike rentals, concierge service, laundry and shuttle transportation within Shipyard Plantation.

Hilton Ocean Front Resort Hilton Head Island - Located at 23 Ocean Lane in Palmetto Dunes, the beachfront resort offers 323 oversized guestrooms on 10 floors all with private balcony, kitchenettes with granite counter top, microwave, refrigerator and separate dining area.  Resort amenities include outdoor heated adult pool, family pool, lush gardens, beach, four on-site restaurants, room service, fitness center, business center and meeting rooms.  Resort activities include world class golf, tennis, bicycling, running trails, kayaks, canoes and other water sports.  The staff is friendly, courteous and helpful.  The resort is pet friendly so bring Fido along.

Holiday Inn Oceanfront - Located on the beach at 1 South Forest Beach Drive near Coligny Center, the Holiday Inn offers a great central location near shops, restaurants and nightlife.  Although its rated at only 3-Stars, the Holiday Inn's location and amenities makes this beachside resort a popular choice for many Island goers.  Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool overlooking the beach, children's pool & play area, oceanfront poolside Tiki Hut Bar and Island Eatery, and the popular Groupers Seafood Restaurant.  There are 201 guestrooms on 5 floors.  Guestrooms feature refrigerator, microwave, free high speed wireless internet and other modern amenities.  Other amenities include a fitness center and meeting rooms.  VoyageMonkey likes this hotel for location even though it lacks a four or five star rating.  A good choice for travelers who like to stay on the beach walking distance to shops and dining.

DISNEY RESORT

Other popular accommodations include The Inn at Harbour Town and the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort.  The Sea Pines Resort offers privately owned vacation homes and there are plenty of excellent timeshare properties available through Marriott Vacation Club, ResortQuest, Spinnaker Resorts and other reputable timeshare companies.  These timeshare rentals can be booked through VoyageMonkey's Booking Portal while searching under "Hotels."