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City guide

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island is a resort town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is a barrier island within the South Carolina Lowcountry, located 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Charleston.

Type IslandPopulation 37,661Metro Area Population 232,523

Why go

  • Town in South Carolina, United States.
  • 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Hilton Head Island, SC.
  • Served by Hilton Head Airport (HHH).

History

Hilton Head Island is a resort town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is a barrier island within the South Carolina Lowcountry, located 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Charleston. The year-round population was 37,661 at the 2020 census, although during the peak of summer vacation season the population can swell to 150,000. It is the principal city of the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 232,523 in 2023.

Must-see attractions

Airports

Hilton Head Airport (HHH) 3.4 mi to the centre
Hilton Head Island, SC, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Charlotte, Washington (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Beaufort Executive Airport (BFT) 16 mi to the centre
Beaufort, SC, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Marsh Point Airport 20 mi to the centre
Beaufort, SC, US
Outdoor
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport 25 mi to the centre
Ridgeland, SC, US
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.1 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.6 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Daufuskie Island Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Hilton Head Airport (HHH); 8 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: HHH has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Charlotte, Washington). By water: 2 ferry terminals within 12 mi; routes include Daufuskie Island Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences