We’ve been going to Hilton Head Island, SC for 35+ years. I went as a child and now we go with my kids. I’ve watched the island grow up, just as I have, and have a fondness for all things in Hilton Head.
The lowcountry is like no other place:
šļø Don’t expect white sand beaches filled with shells & clear ocean water. But the beaches offer a TON of space at low tide and the sand is packed down making walk, pushing a stroller or riding a bike much more enjoyable than many other beach locations. Plus, the packed sand is great for beach games.Ā
š± Hilton Head is famous for the spanish moss trees which offer shade and beauty everywhere you go on the island.Ā
š“āāļø The bike trails all over the island make Hilton Head so family-friendly.Ā
Here are all my favorite Hilton Head kid friendly vacation rentals.
Hilton Head Vacation Rentals | Geography of the Island
Hilton Head Island, SC, famously shaped like a shoe, consists of a few different areas and plantations, each offering a unique experience. I’ll breakdown each option so you can see what’s the right fit for your family dynamic and needs.
- Sea Pines Plantation – a fee is required to enter plantation
- Palmetto Dunes Plantation – a fee is required to enter plantation
- (North & South) Forest Beach
- Shipyard Plantation – a fee is required to enter plantation
- Several Hotel options if you prefer to have more amenities
Hilton Head Vacation Rentals | Sea Pines
Sea Pines offers tons of Hilton Head kid friendly vacation rentals and is famous for the lighthouse in Harbour Town and the Salty Dog Cafe in South Beach Marina.Ā
Is Sea Pines the right place for your family to stay on Hilton Head Island? Here are some pros and cons.
PRO: Tons of non-beach things to do within Sea Pines! Plus, there’s a trolley you can ride for free throughout the plantation. This is KEY because finding a parking spot at local attractions within the plantation is HARD, especially during the summer season.
CON: There are not very many beachfront condo rentals. There are several beachfront and 2nd & 3rd row homes with private pools, but most of the condo and villa options are within a bike ride or walk from the beach. Palmetto Dunes is the best option for beachfront condos.
Within Sea Pines, your best best for beachfront condos is in south beach marina area near the famous Salty Dog Cafe. Check out Beach Properties for Hilton Head rentals in Sea Pines. Places like Lands End, Beachside Tennis and South Beach Villas will be a quick walk to the beach.
The best way to be close to the beach inĀ Sea Pines is to rent a home. Try a 2nd or 3rd row home for a quick walk to the beach and you’ll have your own private pool. If you rent a home from Sea Pines Vacation Rentals, you still get all the amenities from the Sea Pines Beach club, the golf courses and the trolley within Sea Pines. My favorite place to stay in Sea Pines is Turtle Lane Club. They are 2 and 3 bedroom villas with your own garage. An easy walk to the beach and a community pool that is rarely crowded.Ā
There are plenty of other vacation rentals that are a quick bike ride to the beach. Everyone bikes in Hilton Head and you can rent cargo carts to bring your beach gear with you for a quick, easy ride.
What To Do In Sea Pines
If you’re staying in Sea Pines, be sure to rent bikes to enjoy the paved trails and beach rides. We love riding bikes to Salty Dog Cafe and Harbour Town to shop, grab a meal or listen to live music.Ā
You can ride the free trolley to harbor town, salty dog and a few other places within the plantation.Ā
Try tennis or ride the horses at Lawton Stables.
Of course, if you have golfers in the family, there are world class courses in Sea Pines. And if you book accommodations early through Sea Pines, they often include golf promotions.Ā
Find plenty of family-friendly activities on Hilton Head Island, here.
Hilton Head Vacation Rentals | Palmetto Dunes
Palmetto Dunes also offers tons of Hilton Head kid-friendly vacation rentals. It’s a pretty quiet, secluded family location with excellent bike paths and tons of beachfront property.Ā Ā
PRO: Plenty of beachfront condos and beachfront or 2nd and 3rd row vacation homes! Many homes have a private pool and the beachfront condos often have multiple pools.Ā
CON: There are not as many non-beach activities to find like there are in Sea Pines. But,Ā you can ride your bike on the path to Shelter Cove across the main road for shopping, restaurants, ice cream and live entertainment..
We love renting a private home that’s beachfront or 2nd – 4th row on the streets along Mooring Buoy. They are in alpha order, A – N, with A being closest to the Marriott Hotel. In general, the beaches are usually much less crowded in Palmetto Dunes, as compared to Sea Pines, with the exception of the Marriott area where there is also public beach access.Ā
If your family is looking for a beachfront condo, my favorites are Captains Walk, Hampton Place and any of the Windsor’s. If you have littles, both of the Windsor hotels have zero entry pools!
Check out Beach Properties for Hilton Head home rentals in Palmetto Dunes.
I also often use for Sunset Rentals Hilton Head vacation rentals and Island Getaway has a great selection of homes and condo rentals.
What To Do In Palmetto Dunes
If you’re staying in Palmetto Dunes, be sure to rent bikes to enjoy the paved trails and beach rides. We love riding to the General Store for breakfast, a treat for the kids or to replenish our adult beverages. They have great BBQ lunch options too, which he smokes right there.
You can also ride bikes to Shelter Cove Plaza for shopping, Kilwins Ice Cream and tons of lunch places.
If you’re into pickleball or tennis, you can rent a court at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center.
One of our favorite family traditions is to bike down the beach, about a mile, and enjoy an epic burger and beer from Coco’s on the Beach. The owners are from Ohio, so many items are inspired by towns in Ohio. Try the Buckeye Burger! You can map it on your phone navigation, but look for mile marker 94A and you will see the volleyball courts and Coco’s down the boardwalk.
Find plenty of family-friendly activities on Hilton Head Island, here.
Hilton Head Vacation Rentals | North & South Forest Beach
North & South Forest Beaches are also great places to stay. There are several hotel options and beachfront condos.
PRO: Plenty of beachfront condos at reasonable prices!Ā
CON: You are on a main road, so biking is limited more to the beach, unless you have older kids. Also, beaches tend to be more crowded than Palmetto Dunes and parts of Sea Pines.
The most popular beachfront condo are Shorewood Villas with a zero entry pool, which is perfect for littles and non-swimmers and Seacrest Oceanfront Resort.
If you like hotel options, Marriott Grande and Ocean Oak by Hilton Grand Vacations are both great choices.
You can easily walk or bike to Coligny Plaza to find food, shopping and treats.Ā
Additional Options For Hilton Head Vacation Rentals
While I have not stayed at many of these places, many friends I know have enjoyed these options.Ā
- Shipyard Plantation – The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head IslandĀ is a family-friendly option with many amenities included.Ā
- There are several hotel options if you prefer to have more amenities:
Marriott in Palmetto Dunes
Marriott Grande on South Forest Beach
Ocean Oak by Hilton Grand Vacations in South Forest Beach
Marriott Monarch in Sea Pines
Marriott’s Barony Beach Club near Port Royal – water slides and very kid-friendly
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