Beach Rules (Official)
For the most up to date information about Hilton Head Island’s beaches, please check out the official town website and their resources.
Beach Regulations
Beach Prohibitions
NOT Allowed on the Beach, Dunes or Adjacent Waters
- Possession or consumption of alcohol, beer or wine
- Littering (items left overnight will be removed)
- Glassware (bottles, containers, etc.)
- Shovels, except those that are made of wood and/or plastic and that are less than 30 inches in length and 6 inches in width
- Digging holes in the sand that are more than 12 inches in depth
- Leaving personal belongings on the beach overnight; if left, are subject to confiscation and disposal
- Shark Fishing
- Harming, harassing or removing any live beach fauna (sea turtles, birds, or their eggs; sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
- Damaging dunes, sea oats, or other dune flora
- Unauthorized motor vehicles
- Operation of motorized watercraft
- Unauthorized commercial activity, solicitation or distribution of handouts
- Unauthorized wearing of lifeguard emblems
- Fires and Fireworks
- Stunt kites or wind powered vehicles between 10 am and 6 pm form April through September
- Sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 am
- Nudity
- Storage of boats on beach without a permit
NOT Allowed on the Beach, Dunes or Adjacent Waters
- Possession or consumption of alcohol, beer or wine
- Littering (items left overnight will be removed)
- Glassware (bottles, containers, etc.)
- Shovels, except those that are made of wood and/or plastic and that are less than 30 inches in length and 6 inches in width
- Digging holes in the sand that are more than 12 inches in depth
- Leaving personal belongings on the beach overnight; if left, are subject to confiscation and disposal
- Shark Fishing
- Harming, harassing or removing any live beach fauna (sea turtles, birds, or their eggs; sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.)
- Damaging dunes, sea oats, or other dune flora
- Unauthorized motor vehicles
- Operation of motorized watercraft
- Unauthorized commercial activity, solicitation or distribution of handouts
- Unauthorized wearing of lifeguard emblems
- Fires and Fireworks
- Stunt kites or wind powered vehicles between 10 am and 6 pm form April through September
- Sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 am
- Nudity
- Storage of boats on beach without a permit
Beach goers are required to fill all holes so that the sand is returned to its original state before you leave the beach for the day.
NOT allowed in Designated Swim Areas April thru September from Sunrise to Sunset
- Fishing or surfcasting
- Surfboards, boogie boards, etc.
- Frisbees
- Use of balls or horseshoe games
- Stunt kites
Designated Swim Areas
Hilton Head Island’s official beach season is April 1st through September 30th of each year.
During the official beach season, life guards are stationed in each of the designated swimming areas and other heavily populated beach areas for assistance.
Island Club is located directly between Islanders Beach Park (Atlantis end) and Folly Field Beach Park (Seawatch end).
Animals on the Beach
Additional Regulations
- Animal excrement must be removed and properly disposed of from the beach
- It is illegal to allow pets to chase or harass wildlife
Resources & Enforcement
View Municipal Code Title 8 Chapter 1 – “Beaches” for more information
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and Town code enforcement officers patrol the beach and enforce all beach regulations.
Violators of beach regulations are subject to fines and court costs up to $1,092.50 per each offense.