For locals and visitors alike, biking has become a popular mode of transportation on our small island. Renting bikes for vacationing on Hilton Head has become synonymous with booking your accommodations. With miles upon miles of multi-use pathways throughout the island and various gated communities, you can self-propel yourself on a tour around Hilton Head stopping at marinas, shops & cafes. Some will even venture to the beach for a bit more challenging ride thanks to the sand and ocean breeze. I can’t think of a better way to experience the beauty of our island than by bike.
Hilton Head Island’s focus on a “pro-bicycle” community was recognized when it received the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award by the League of American Bicyclists. This distinction is not easily obtained as proven by Hilton Head Island being the only Gold Level community in the Southeast and one of only two towns on the East Coast.
When thinking of biking on island, the leisurely paced beach cruisers typically come to mind. Hilton Head Island is also home to a growing community of road cyclists, sporting their snug bike kits, aero helmets and traveling in packs down the main roadways. Mostly locals, it’s not uncommon for vacationers to join in on the fun of riding around what we endearingly call our “gerbil cage”.
Being a cyclist myself, I have enjoyed many hours looping the Cross Island parkway and the south-end loop which winds around Palmetto Bay Road, Cordillo Road and South/North Forest Beach. Sticking to a specific route and hours, road cyclists attempt to avoid traffic congestion. Unfortunately, I have experienced more times than I would like to admit, the harassment of drivers and their passengers loudly sharing their opinions on cyclists using the island roadways. Taken with a grain of salt, and knowing they are unaware of South Carolina’s law regarding cyclists using the roadways, I peddle on.
With biking growing in popularity, it is important for drivers (both locals and vacationers) to know the rules for cyclists. So here we go…my highlights taken from Section 56-5 of the South Carolina Bike Laws-Article 27:
• Multi-use paths are not bicycle paths. Bicycles may use these paths but they are not required to. More importantly, they are not intended for faster riding (in excess of 15mph….road cyclists typically average 21-26mph)
• Road cyclists must use designated bike lanes, where delineated, otherwise roadway use is permitted. Our island has only one short section (maybe 100 feet) of designated bike lane which is near the circle on Arrow Road, hence cyclists riding in the roadway everywhere else.
• When on the roadway, bicycles are considered vehicles and must abide by all traffic laws.
• Cyclists must ride with traffic as close to the right side of the lane as possible & practical, no more than 2 abreast. (riding in the shoulder is not required) Cyclists may take the entire lane if needed AND may ride in a lane other than the right-hand lane if needed for their route (turning left for example)
• Harassment of a cyclist, including but not limited to verbally taunting or throwing objects in the direction of riders, is a violation of the South Carolina Bike Law. Guilty parties could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and face fines and/or imprisonment.
With continued education for riders and drivers alike, we can keep the island safe & enjoyable for all biking enthusiasts. Next time you’re on Hilton Head and see a female riding a black Trek time trial bike feverishly attempting to keep up with a guy on a royal blue Trek time trail bike, shout out words of encouragement to my husband & me.
For more details, please visit the Palmetto Cycling Coalition page
Visiting to the island and interested in riding our roadways or joining one of the group rides? Reach out to Todd or me for details on directions, times and locations.
Hilton Head Island is home to over 200 restaurants, most being local establishments. From Italian restaurants serving up handmade pastas and ragus, seafood restaurants serving up catches right off the boat to southwestern restaurants plating the most perfectly cooked cowboy cuts, this island shines when it comes to its culinary scene. But this number is quickly whittled down for those with dietary restrictions or limitations.
Have you adopted a plant-based or vegetarian lifestyle? Or maybe you have chosen to follow a keto or paleo nutrition plan. I have true respect for all who have chosen a lifestyle focused on supporting an ethical cause or striving for optimum health through nutrition. I admire the dedication this takes each day and know the hurdles that come with it.
Vacation should be a time to rest and recharge. You should not stress over preparing meals or sorting through Yelp restaurant reviews. Having been to almost every restaurant on this island (at least the notable ones) and more recently enjoying plant-based eating habits, I’d like to highlight some of my mouth-watering favorites:
It’s a tough call, but this may be my favorite of the list below. It’s hard to get fresher, more nutritious ingredients than the ones served at Delisheyoo. Plots of home grown vegetables, herb gardens, and citrus trees greet patrons as they enter this quaint cottage, tucked away in a shopping center off Palmetto Bay Road. Using the hand-written menu on the chalkboard above the kitchen, you will place your order before taking a seat at one of the few tables inside or on the front patio. Choose from salads (Fatoosh, kale, tofu egg salad…), wraps, bowls (Acai, golden quinoa & lentil…) or smoothies. My personal favorite is the Happy Wrap on rice paper (avocado, carrots, beets, salad greens, sprouts and the oh-so-yummy “Fred’s Apple Cider Vinegar”). My husband typically orders the Chill Island Wrap on rice paper (hummus, cucumber, sweet peppers, onions, Greek olives, feta, salad greens and fig vinaigrette). Then we share a Lil Guy as our dessert (rice paper wrap with honey, almond butter, banana and choice of 1 fruit…our pick- blackberries). We wash it down with a glass of alkalized water and our bellies could not be happier or more satisfied.
This small, yet vibrant Jamaican inspired establishment will knock your flip-flops off! They offer an assortment of vegan and gluten free dishes as well as nutrient packed smoothies. My favorite dish is the MoBay Curry Vegetable Bowl (stir-fry veggies service with Jamaican rice and peas and jerk sauce) and my husband always https://www.beachsidehhi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AdobeStock_58746038-scaled-1-scaled-1.webpours the All Vegan Burger. When splurging, we’ll also share a Brazilian Bombshell smoothie (brazil nuts, medjool dates, hemp seeds, banana, coconut nectar, cinnamon and almond milk). Pure Natural Market also offers a few fish selections for your meat-eating friend/spouse/family members so make sure to bring them along as well.
Made to order chopped salad bowls…yes please! I eat A LOT. Thankfully Healthy Habits does not skimp on their chopped salad bowls…AND they have a very large selection of healthy ingredients. You can choose from one of their signature salads or build your own. You can even pitch the fork and make it a wrap. All salads are served in a large to-go bowl with a lid which makes it perfect for beach picnics.
No, I did not sneeze…I said Watusi. Over the past few years, Watusi Café has made big changes since first opening. They changed from ordering at the counter to full service tables, they improved their menu (even added a dog menu) and replaced their wall of frozen yogurts & toppings bar and replaced it with a small market (this one brought a tear to my eye…goodbye salted caramel pretzel frozen yogurt), but Watusi still remains a top pick of mine. They offer many hearty sandwiches with GF bread options, such as the Farmers Market (grilled eggplant, tomato, marinated, portabella, fresh spinach, avocado spread and a drizzle of EVOO) or the vegan Spicy, Kale & Quinoa Salad. There’s not as many plant-based/vegan options on the menu at Watusi, BUT they are always accommodating to changes or substitutions.
A new and unique addition to the island’s culinary scene. Build your own salad, rice or fruit bowl with super fresh ingredients. My favorite is the half & half rice and salad bowl with seaweed, avocado, ginger and Ahi Tuna (I enjoy plant based 95% of the time with the other 5% being fresh, wild caught seafood). I then top it off with the homemade ginger dressing. You must check out their FaceBook page to see the beautiful bowls…the pictures are mouthwatering.
Well, now that I have sufficiently worked up an appetite, I’m off to find some greens & veggies to make my gut happy, because a happy gut makes a happy, healthy body. #WeSavedYouAChair
Hilton Head Island is so very fortunate the Loggerhead Sea Turtle population has decided to call our island home. But with this gift comes a great deal of responsibility. As stewards of this delicate land and the creatures that inhabit it, we have an obligation to preserve their natural environment and keep them safe. The public’s cooperation is both requested and much appreciated in this endeavor.
Adult female turtles will build their nests every two to four years and deposit about 120 eggs, covering them with sand to protect from predators. After about 60 days, the baby turtles hatch and the hatchlings begin to make their way to the shoreline. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that many of them fall victim to predators, such as birds or crabs.
That makes it even more important to help as many as we can. The best way to do that is simple, but very powerful. Turn off the lights. Since hatchlings emerge from their nests at night, they follow the brightest light to guide them to the sea, which should be the moon. Street lights and building lights disorient the hatchlings and if they head in the wrong direction, they can easily fall prey to dehydration in the sun or being caught by natural predators.
These artificial lights can also discourage the mature female from nesting and laying her eggs. To do its part, the town of HIlton Head Island requires that any building lights visible on the beach be shaded or turned off after 10PM from May 1 to October 31. Additionally, any windows facing the beach must be covered by drapes or shade screens.
According to the town of Hilton Head Island, guests can help to protect the sea turtle population by doing the following:
Hilton Head Island and the Loggerhead Sea Turtles thank you!
With so many guests looking for pet-friendly properties, we are happy to provide this guide to a pet-friendly Hilton Head Island vacation! We would also like to introduce one of our newest, and pet-friendly, properties – Serenity by the Sea. This beautiful, Lowcountry style home in ever-popular Sea Pines Plantation features 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and welcomes up to two dogs. Please remember that your furkids must be leashed at all times while you’re out and about within the community.
So that everyone in your family, including your dog(s) has a great Hilton Head Island vacation, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the local pet regulations regarding animals on the beach:
With the technical stuff out of the way, here are some fun suggestions for pet-loving establishments in and around HHI.
Meet like-minded pet owners at the Chaplin Community Park, the dog park located at 11 Cast Net Dr. Here, your best friend can make new friends of his or her own. The park features a large shaded area to keep everyone cool, two water fountains and tennis balls. Don’t forget the bug spray and expect to make some new friends of your own!
Enjoy a meal with your best friend at one of these welcoming establishments:
Watusi – Wonderful breakfast and lunch and they even have a dog menu!
Bistro 17– Upscale French waterfront dining. Your pup will love his appetizer plate and bowl of water.
Sunrise Café – Local’s favorite for breakfast and lunch
Smokehouse – Great BBQ and you’ll love the front deck
It’s Greek To Me – Who doesn’t love Greek food??
With your best friend at your side, you’re sure to have the best vacation ever on Hilton Head Island! 
Not everyone comes to Hilton Head Island to work on their tans and enjoy leisurely strolls on the beach. This lovely Lowcountry island is emerging as a destination for the adventurous vacationer. Anything from ziplining to SUP is on the menu here – and probably a few you’ve never heard of. Let’s dive in and see what’s happening on Hilton Head!
Zipline Hilton Head is ready to show you another side of Hilton Head Island – from up in the trees, to be exact! Their signature activity is a 2-hour zipline tour of the green canopy over Hilton Head. Be prepared to see the ancient oak trees from a new perspective, as well as birds, dolphins, boats and shimmering water.
Another program is their Aerial Adventure, which is 2 hours and immeasurable fun. With 50 different in-the-tree challenges, representing 6 different ability courses and three distinct skill levels, you will find the right course for your activity level. The courses are all self-guided, so you progress at your own pace, while always wearing a helmet and harness. Staff members are always there to answer questions, guide and encourage.
Last, but hardly least, is the Glowcountry Adventure. This night-time activity consists of 6 courses, ranging from easy to hard. Everyone gets glowsticks to light the way and they’ll crank the music up to create a fun, memorable adventure for the whole family!
For those more inclined to adventure on the high seas, Island Head Watersports has some activities you will love exploring! Stay on the water with banana boats, jet skis, or single or double wave runners. For a high-flying, exhilarating experience, try parasailing and enjoy Hilton Head Island from a whole vantage point!
If you’re seeking a more zen-like experience, try your hand at SUP (stand up paddling) or for the a truly challenging activity, a SUP yoga session!
At Saltmarsh Paddle Tours take a two-hour guided tour through the waterways of Hilton Head Island and get up close and personal with the friendly marine life native to this area. You can expect to meet and greet dolphins, herons, blue crab and maybe even a sea turtle. As their name implies, Saltmarsh Paddle Tours also offers guided paddleboard tours. It’s truly a fascinating experience for the whole family.
Join the ever-growing population of adventurers and explore Hilton Head Island is a new and fabulous way!
When most people think Hilton Head Island, they think of South Carolina’s beautiful Lowcountry. They imagine the beaches, the sun and the surf. Lots of great seafood dinners. The picture-perfect ancient oak trees with dripping Spanish moss and the warm, sultry evening air.
What they probably DON’T think of is sports, except perhaps golf or maybe tennis. But that’s changing. Hilton Head Island is fast becoming a mecca for endurance athletes, with a burgeoning cottage industry of races and competitions. At Beachside Hilton Head Island, we are thrilled to welcome these athletes to our beloved island.
The Beach Bum Triathlon – swim/bike/run your way to winning the coveted coconut monkey
2nd Annual SwimRun SC – This new race format is gaining in popularity for US athletes looking for a new challenge.
Mindful Triathlon – How about a 5 k beach run/walk, 45 minute beach yoga then 15 minutes of guided meditation? Now that’s my kind of triathlon!
The Hilton Head Marathon – Looking to qualify for Boston? This is your race. Also featuring half and 8k distance options.
Hilton Head Island Firecracker 5K – the largest and oldest road race in Beaufort County. This is a hot & fast one!
Beachside Hilton Head Island celebrates all of our athlete’s accomplishments and welcomes them to the Lowcountry. Our vacation rental properties provide sparkling cleanliness, convenience to race sites and the perfect home base for exploring our beautiful Island. Being local athletes ourselves, we can provide guidance on group training opportunities as well.
For those seeking to combine a family vacation with an athletic event, we offer Cotton Lane, a beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a private pool and pet-friendly. The upscale coastal decor is oh, so inviting and Cotton Lane boasts easy access to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, with lots of family-friendly outdoor activities!
If you’re traveling with a smaller party, we’ve got the right spot for you, too! Check out our 1 bedroom Ketch Court, a condominium with neutral tones and upscale coastal decor. As part of Harbour Town Marina, you are just steps from the marina with its million-dollar yachts, shopping and dining.
Another economical alternative is one of our lovely studio units. Cutter Court features a separate lounging area, a large kitchenette and a balcony overlooking the marina, a perfect spot for morning coffee and people watching. Ketch Court Efficiency features include a King bed, plush sofa, a spectacular kitchenette with full size refrigerator and separate breakfast bar. Here, you’ll also enjoy views of the lighthouse and the marina.
While you’re visiting, don’t forget to have a little fun & relaxation. Visit our beautiful golden beaches, take a leisurely bike ride along our miles and miles of bike paths, enjoy a different perspective on one of our boat tours or savor a delicious seafood feast. Or better yet, ease your sore muscles with a relaxing day at the spa. Ahhhhhh…now that sounds fabulous! The entire family will find something to love on Hilton Head Island.
We wish all of our athletes the greatest of success! And you never know…we may see you at the starting line 🙂
