Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is more than just a coveted vacation destination; it's where luxury, natural wonders, and community converge to create an unparalleled lifestyle experience. For those seeking a permanent change of pace, it's easy to understand why Hilton Head Island real estate is so highly sought-after.
Neighborhoods and Real Estate
Above all else, Hilton Head Island shines thanks to its impressive array of neighborhoods and high-end real estate options. From the stunning Sea Pines, with its elegant homes and villas surrounded by world-class amenities, to the sophisticated estates in Wexford and Long Cove, each community offers its own unique charm. Whether you desire beachfront living, a golf course view, or a serene community experience, Hilton Head Island's real estate market promises something exceptional for every luxury home buyer. A handful of its most notable neighborhoods include the following.
- Forest Beach: This is where luxury meets laid-back coastal living. Vibrant and welcoming, the neighborhood is divided into North and South, with Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach Park at its core. The island's de facto downtown in Forest Beach is open and accessible, with an always-festive atmosphere along a three-mile stretch of Atlantic beachfront.
- Long Cove: Private, gated, and a haven for golf enthusiasts and those who appreciate a refined lifestyle, Long Cove has so much to offer. The challenging Pete Dye-designed course, renowned clubhouse, deep-water marina, and Long Cove's stunning scenery, along with exceptional residences, make it a favorite among serious golfers and high-end home buyers in Hilton Head Island.
- Sea Pines: Hilton Head Island's most prominent neighborhood, Sea Pines, sets the standard as the island's signature community. It includes some of the island's most prestigious properties, seamlessly integrated into the lush coastal landscape. An extensive network of bike paths, direct beach access, the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and the world-renowned Harbour Town Golf Links are just a small sample of what this extraordinary community offers.
- Wexford: The epitome of Lowcountry luxury and allure on Hilton Head Island, Wexford is a private community renowned for its sophisticated atmosphere and the stunning architectural design of its homes. As one of Hilton Head Island's renowned country club communities, Wexford promises an active lifestyle centered around its world-class golf course, clubhouse, and unique 37-acre inland harbor.
Recreation Galore
Winding through thick forests of trees, across meandering rivers, streams, and bogs, and along the ocean and harbors surrounding the island, Hilton Head Island is the perfect scene for a variety of links-worthy landscapes. Among the best golfing destinations in the world, below are the most notable of Hilton Head Island's many distinct golfing experiences.
- Harbour Town Golf Links – Sea Pines
- Long Cove Club – Long Cove
- Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye at Sea Pines Resort - Sea Pines
- Arthur Hills, George Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones Courses – Palmetto Dunes
- Wexford Golf Club - Wexford
Beyond the golf in your own backyard, golf aficionados will appreciate Hilton Head Island's prime location — just a 2.5-hour drive to the hallowed golfing destinations of Kiawah Island Golf Resort or Augusta National Golf Club and 3.5 hours to TPC Sawgrass.
Away from the world-class golf courses, Hilton Head Island offers a range of other outdoor recreational amenities, including tennis courts, playgrounds, and several marinas. The beauty of being a full-time Hilton Head Island resident is the access and variety of the island's recreational opportunities, ensuring that there is always something to enjoy.
For one, the island features the expansive Sea Pines Forest Preserve, providing a serene natural escape and opportunities for wildlife observation and hiking. For tennis enthusiasts, Hilton Head Island is a paradise, boasting more than 300 public and private tennis and pickleball courts. Notable facilities include the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, the racquet clubs of South Beach, Sea Pines, and Port Royal, and the tennis centers at Van Der Meer Shipyard and Hilton Head Plantation.
The island also offers over 60 miles of natural trails and public pathways, ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling. With 12 miles of gorgeous beaches and several beach parks, residents can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing to their hearts’ delight.
Biking on Hilton Head Island is a beloved activity, offering scenic bike trails that wind through lush landscapes, beachfront paths, and charming neighborhoods. The island’s flat terrain makes it easy for cyclists of all skill levels to enjoy the ride, whether along the stunning coastline or through shaded, tree-lined routes. With its bike-friendly infrastructure and breathtaking scenery, biking is one of the best ways to experience the natural wonders of Hilton Head Island. In fact, the town is one of only 34 communities in the country to achieve the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award from the League of American Bicyclists.
For boating enthusiasts, public marinas and public boat landings provide ample access to the water. Additionally, The Lawton Stables supports horseback riding through the scenic Sea Pines Preserve, adding another dimension to the island’s diverse outdoor offerings.
The town also sits adjacent to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, where residents can hike, bike, saltwater fish, hunt in season, and photograph wildlife across the refuge's 4,053 acres.
Away from the world-class golf courses, Hilton Head Island offers a range of other outdoor recreational amenities, including tennis courts, playgrounds, and several marinas. The beauty of being a full-time Hilton Head Island resident is the access and variety of the island's recreational opportunities, ensuring that there is always something to enjoy.
For one, the island features the expansive Sea Pines Forest Preserve, providing a serene natural escape and opportunities for wildlife observation and hiking. For tennis enthusiasts, Hilton Head Island is a paradise, boasting more than 300 public and private tennis and pickleball courts. Notable facilities include the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, the racquet clubs of South Beach, Sea Pines, and Port Royal, and the tennis centers at Van Der Meer Shipyard and Hilton Head Plantation.
The island also offers over 60 miles of natural trails and public pathways, ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling. With 12 miles of gorgeous beaches and several beach parks, residents can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing to their hearts’ delight.
Biking on Hilton Head Island is a beloved activity, offering scenic bike trails that wind through lush landscapes, beachfront paths, and charming neighborhoods. The island’s flat terrain makes it easy for cyclists of all skill levels to enjoy the ride, whether along the stunning coastline or through shaded, tree-lined routes. With its bike-friendly infrastructure and breathtaking scenery, biking is one of the best ways to experience the natural wonders of Hilton Head Island. In fact, the town is one of only 34 communities in the country to achieve the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award from the League of American Bicyclists.
For boating enthusiasts, public marinas and public boat landings provide ample access to the water. Additionally, The Lawton Stables supports horseback riding through the scenic Sea Pines Preserve, adding another dimension to the island’s diverse outdoor offerings.
The town also sits adjacent to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, where residents can hike, bike, saltwater fish, hunt in season, and photograph wildlife across the refuge's 4,053 acres.
Shopping and Dining
Whether you’re spending your days on a beach, on the golf course, on the back of a horse, or in a park, it's easy to get lost in the adventure and natural splendor of Hilton Head Island. But there's plenty of life to live away from those pursuits, including what is arguably the most underappreciated aspect of life on Hilton Head Island: its impressive roster of places to shop and dine.
For starters, the retail scene at Hilton Head Island is impressively local. While you have plenty of national brands to choose from, including those among the nearly 100 shops and restaurants at the Tanger Outlets Hilton Head five miles away in Bluffton, the island offers something a bit more sublime.
The eclectic collection of high-end boutiques, thrift stores, antique shops, and marketplaces makes shopping here a joyous endeavor. With numerous shopping malls, plazas, and retail centers on the island, you have endless opportunities to splurge on your shopping trips, whether you’re exploring Coligny Plaza, The Shops at Sea Pines Center, Harbour Town, Village at Wexford, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, or the Hilton Head Island Farmers Market.
Those shopping destinations also house Hilton Head Island's best restaurants and bars. Living here means developing a rotation of favorite spots to dine and enjoy great company. Check out the amazing waterfront views and incredible meals at Quarterdeck, Coast, Skull Creek Boathouse, Fishcamp on Broad Creek, and many more.
For starters, the retail scene at Hilton Head Island is impressively local. While you have plenty of national brands to choose from, including those among the nearly 100 shops and restaurants at the Tanger Outlets Hilton Head five miles away in Bluffton, the island offers something a bit more sublime.
The eclectic collection of high-end boutiques, thrift stores, antique shops, and marketplaces makes shopping here a joyous endeavor. With numerous shopping malls, plazas, and retail centers on the island, you have endless opportunities to splurge on your shopping trips, whether you’re exploring Coligny Plaza, The Shops at Sea Pines Center, Harbour Town, Village at Wexford, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, or the Hilton Head Island Farmers Market.
Those shopping destinations also house Hilton Head Island's best restaurants and bars. Living here means developing a rotation of favorite spots to dine and enjoy great company. Check out the amazing waterfront views and incredible meals at Quarterdeck, Coast, Skull Creek Boathouse, Fishcamp on Broad Creek, and many more.
Ready to Explore Hilton Head Island?
If you're interested in learning more about Hilton Head Island and the unparalleled lifestyle it promises along South Carolina's celebrated Atlantic Coast, contact top Lowcountry Realtor® Karen Ryan. With vast community insight, she will guide you through Hilton Head Island real estate and help you discover how extraordinary it is to own a home in one of the Lowcountry's most sought-after destinations.
