Beaches

A delightful stroll on the beach can end with an unpleasant surprise if you don't put your towels, shoes, and other earthly possessions way up on the sand. Tides here can fluctuate as much as 7 feet. Be sure to check the tide chart before venturing out to the beach for the day.

Alder Lane Beach. A great place for solitude during the winter—and popular with families during the summer season—this beach has hard-packed sand at low tide, making it ideal for walking. It's accessible from the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking. 2 Woodward Ave., off South Forest Beach Dr., South End, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Burkes Beach. This beach is usually not crowded, mostly because it is a bit hard to find and there are no lifeguards on duty. At sunrise, birds and deer bring the adjacent marsh to life. Visitors must park at the Chaplin Community Park at 11 Cast Net Drive, since there is no longer parking on Burkes Beach Road. Time a visit around low tide—the marsh flooding during high tide can cut off access. Amenities: parking; showers. Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming; windsurfing. 60 Burkes Beach Rd., off William Hilton Pkwy., Mid-Island, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Coligny Beach Park. The island's most popular public beach is a lot of fun, but during high season it can get very crowded. It has choreographed fountains that delight little children, bench swings, and beach umbrellas and chaise lounges for rent. If you have to go online, there's also Wi-Fi access. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; windsurfing. 1 Coligny Circle, at Pope Ave. and South Forest Beach Dr., South End, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Driessen Beach. A good destination for families, Driessen Beach Park has a playground and an attractive boardwalk and sandy path through the dunes. It's often peppered with people flying kites, making it colorful and fun. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. 64 Bradley Beach Rd., off William Hilton Pkwy., Mid-Island, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Folly Field Beach Park. Next to Driessen Beach, Folly Field is a treat for families. It can get crowded in high season, but even so it's a wonderful spot for a day of sunbathing and swimming. The best waves for surfing break here. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking. 55 Starfish Dr., off Folly Field Rd., Mid-Island, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Fish Haul Beach Park. Not ideal for swimming because of the many sharp shells on the sand and in the water, this public beach is a terrific spot for a walk or shell and shark tooth hunting. It is not on the Atlantic Ocean, but rather on Port Royal Sound. Amenities: parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; solitude; walking. 124 Mitchelville Rd., North End, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29926.