Explore Hilton Head Island

Before entering Hilton Head Island, stop at Pinckney Island to take a refreshing morning walk. The Refuge is known as one of the best places to go bird watching on the Carolina coast. Here, you can also see alligators, horseshoe crabs, nine-banded armadillo, and even some dolphins. You can walk around one of the many trails on your own or hire an expert guide from the nearby Coastal Discovery Museum for a nature tours.
The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, and tours from the museum can be booked through their website.

After your walk, head to Hilton Head Social Bakery for brunch or lunch. This classic French bakery serves delicious pastries, quiches, and sandwiches with a Southern twist. The baked good are made from scratch daily and there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for you to enjoy a cup of coffee with your treats.
Open Wednesday-Sunday from 8am-4pm.

Spend the afternoon at one of Hilton Head Island’s best public beaches. Here you will find clear white sand to walk on, as well as porch swings and beachside bars. You can also rent bikes from Hilton Head Outfitters and ride along over the hard-packed sand beaches, stopping at hidden bars offering happy hour specials. Soak in the beach life!

Visit the iconic red and white striped historic Harbour Town Lighthouse and museum located in the lively Sea Pines area of the city. There is a museum downstairs featuring one the largest collections about lighthouses in America. For a small fee, you can climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse to get a panoramic view of the waterfront.
The lighthouse is open from 10am until sundown.
After your visit to the lighthouse, walk across the boardwalk and along the beach, and visit some of the gift shops at Sea Pines. There are often live concerts and fireworks in the evenings too.

For dinner, enjoy fresh-caught Lowcountry seafood—such as oysters, deviled crab, shrimp, and grouper—at Quarterdeck. Make sure to book a table at the second floor from where you can get views of the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Calibogue Sound, and the famed 18th hole of Harbour Town Golf Links. Visit the restaurant's website to make a reservation.

Check in to The Westin Hotel located at the northeast end of the island, which is more residential and has some of the best golf courses on Hilton Head. The beachfront hotel has private cabanas, an expansive swimming pool, spa, restaurants, and lots of outdoor activities. During your stay, you can practice beach yoga, play tennis, or a round of golf.