Dockwa Boating and Cruising Blog | Cruising, Travel, How-To, Events, Regattas

A Weekend Guide to Boating, Dining, and Exploring Hilton Head Island

Written by Scott Borges | 10/5/21 3:07 PM

From the golf courses, hiking trails, water sports, and miles of white-sand beaches to restaurants and shopping, visitors find themselves with a surplus of activities and adventures. When you go to Hilton Head Island, we encourage you to go beyond the dock! Here are some of our favorite spots around the island to experience!

Marinas

At Dockwa, we offer 6 uniquely differing marinas on HHI, with many more in the surrounding Savannah, GA and Beaufort, SC areas. Here’s a few of our favorites on the island.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin

Located in The Sea Pines Resort's heart and ideally situated on Hilton Head Island's captivating Calibogue Sound, the Harbour Town Yacht Basin is recognized as a premier yachting destination on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The full-service marina welcomes boaters year-round and offers slip rentals and sales, fuel, marine supplies and apparel, professional yacht sales and brokerage dealer services, as well as a friendly, experienced staff.

Shelter Cove Marina

Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina offers year-round waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment, plus spectacular views of Broad Creek. This laid-back Mediterranean-style village combines the Island's best shops, restaurants, and waterfront activities in one stunning location. And every conceivable water sport may be enjoyed at the marina, from inshore and offshore fishing charters to sport crabbing, sailing and mermaid tours, dolphin and nature excursions.

Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort & Marina

Located on the north end of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Hilton Head Harbor Marina boasts a 180ft fuel dock, ships store with beer, wine, ice, and souvenirs. Stay with them and enjoy top-notch amenities, including a saltwater pool, full-service bathhouse, on-site water sports activities, and Sunset Grille, an award winning, 5-star restaurant.

 

Restaurants

There are hundreds of restaurant options to choose from, from fast casual to fine dining. Here are some of our favorites from across the island.

Skull Creek Boathouse

Skull Creek Boathouse is Hilton Head Island’s most awarded landmark waterfront restaurant. At Skull Creek Boathouse, you’ll enjoy beautiful views whether you choose to dine indoors or outdoors. The inside Dive Bar is a sushi bar that also features raw oysters, sashimi, and ceviche. The outdoor Marker 13 Buoy Bar serves up colorful sunset views and the freshest, original drinks every day. During the summertime, join them at their Beer Garden for a sunset brew while you let the kids enjoy our play area outside. A member of SERG Restaurant Group, Skull Creek Boathouse is one of their many premier dining opportunities.

Go for: Lunch, Dinner

Menu Highlights: Carolina Shrimp & Grits, Lowcountry Boil, Pecan Ginger Crusted Mahi Mahi

Java Burrito Company

Burritos and Coffee might strike you as an unlikely pair. However, the duo was precisely the fresh food affair the owners were missing after relocating to Hilton Head Island from Miami. Craving South Florida’s scratch-made, zesty combinations exploding with fresh produce, they set out to do it locally, their way. The Java Burrito way.

Go for: Breakfast, Coffee, Lunch

Menu Highlights: Breakfast Burrito, Iced Coffee, Affogato, Carnitas Burrito

Coast, Oceanfront Dining

Specializing in fresh, local sea fare, Coast is a beautifully appointed restaurant with stunning oceanfront views. Located at the world-class Sea Pines Beach Club, Coast provides an unparalleled culinary atmosphere with a breathtaking view of the ocean – the only place on Hilton Head Island to serve such an experience.

Go for: Dinner, Drinks

Menu Highlights: Lobster Tempura Tacos, Pan-Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Peach Mojito

Jane Bistro & Bar

Jane Bistro and Bar is all about family and friends sharing time and meals with recipes created and passed from one to another. Delicious food, creative cocktails, and exciting beer and wines are served in an urban coastal comfort, inside and out. Join the Jane Family to celebrate lowcountry living in style!

Go for: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Menu Highlights: Southern Salad, Smash Burger, Basil Strawberry Cocktail

Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe

Kenny B's is a locally owned and family-run Cajun seafood restaurant since 1999. A New Orleans theme with a Southern Style, Kenny B’s offers authentic, french quarter classics. Don’t let the location fool you—located in a nondescript shopping plaza, they host a casual, order at-the-counter experience, where the true focus is on the food.

Go for: Lunch, Dinner

Menu Highlights: Blackened Scallop Dinner Basket, Shrimp and Grits, Key Lime Pie

Exploring

Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum has been Hilton Head Island’s center of preservation, education, and celebration for the past thirty five years. One visit will put you personally in touch with the past three centuries, and renew your appreciation for all that the area is and has to offer.

Harbour Town

Also located in Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town features an extraordinary selection of fine apparel and home décor boutiques, custom gift and craft shops, signature jewelry shops, and one-of-a-kind art galleries. You'll also find a variety of top-rated restaurants and casual outdoor cafes. Above it all, the historic Harbour Town Lighthouse, with its iconic red and white stripes, provides a stunning aerial view of the marina for those who climb to the top.

Pro Tip: Sea Pines Resort offers a free trolley service within the community, so no car is necessary to explore! More info, including schedules, can be found here.

Harbour Town Golf Links

As the home to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Classic each year, Harbour Town Golf Links is second to none for all golf aficionados. With over 23 championship courses to choose from on Hilton Head Island, Harbour Town Golf Links boasts unbelievable views of Calabogie Sound as the course sweeps through Sea Pines Resort—a 5,200-acre private residential community at the southern tip of the island.

Pro Tip: Book your tee times early, as reservations for this popular destination fill up fast!

Coligny Beach

Hilton Head’s coastline includes nearly 12 miles of uninterrupted beaches—all of which are public from the ocean to the high tide water mark. Looking to spend a day at the beach? Look no further than Coligny Beach, located conveniently towards the south end of the island. The hard-packed sand makes bike riding a must-do activity! Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent directly on the beach. Just next door is Coligny Plaza, which hosts a number of local boutique shops and restaurants within walking distance of the beach.

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