The 5 Best Outdoor Activities on Hilton Head Island!

Are you thinking of moving to the Hilton Head area? Then Dream Finders Homes is your builder. Our experience and expertise mean we know what you can expect when you move here. Including all of the exciting adventures to look forward to once you’ve settled into your new Dream Finders home! Hilton Head Island is a charming town with plenty of fun for everyone. Explore this guide for nature-y/outdoor things to do at Hilton Head Island.

Things To Do on Hilton Head Island for Outdoor Enthusiasts

With its mild year-round climate, there are always outdoor activities on Hilton Head Island. From tons of water sports to kid-friendly adventures, here are a few of our favorite things to do on this coastal playground!

1. Biking. With over 60 miles of paved pathways running the length of the island, plus 12 miles of hard-packed sand beaches at low tide, Hilton Head Island is one of the League of American Bicyclists' most bike-friendly communities on the Atlantic coast. Grab your bike and enjoy one of Hilton Head’s outdoor activities that appeals to everyone. 

2. Hiking/Wildlife Watching. Hilton Head Island is mostly flat, so there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs. Scenic shorelines and paths lined with ancient oaks showcase the island’s natural beauty. Some of the most popular spots for hiking include: 

• Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge - 14 miles of trails offer an up-close look at Lowcountry marshland and diverse wildlife. The Refuge covers 4,000 acres of salt marshes, tidal creeks, forests, grasslands, and ponds. Watch for fiddler crabs, butterflies, raccoons, armadillos, and foxes,
• Jarvis Creek Park - This 53-acre park boasts all kinds of amenities and promotes activity for everyone. Pathways extend all over the park and around the lake creating a 1.1-mile loop dotted with birds and nature. Explore the lakeside paths that extend out into wooded areas. 
• Audubon Newhall Preserve - 50 acres of preserved land include a pond with benches and placards describing the local wildlife. Free guided walks with a naturalist are offered March-May and September-November.
• Sea Pines Forest Preserve - This area has been protected as a wildlife habitat since 1970. The 605 acres feature flower fields and four lakes. Walk the paths on your own or tour on horseback or by small boat.
• Burkes Beach - Home to a seaside trail, this is one of Hilton Head Island’s best-kept secrets. With miles of sandy beaches and tranquil waters, it is a great spot for swimming or taking in the views. The area is home to sea turtles, dolphins, and shore birds. 

3. Birdwatching. Hilton Head Island is a bird watcher’s haven, with a protected wetland and birds like egrets, sandpipers, wood storks, seagulls, pelicans, and eagles. According to the Audubon Society, nearly 200 species of birds flock to the lakes, marshes, and shoreline here, while more than 350 species of native birds have been sighted on the Island. Among the most notable species are the snowy egret, large blue heron, osprey, and white ibis. 

   
   

   
   

4. Fishing. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, Hilton Head Island offers an ideal fishing locus. Whether you want to cast off a dock or sport fish on the ocean, there are plenty of possibilities. The island is also a popular shrimping and crabbing destination. Fishing in the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic, you’ll find snapper, grouper, bluefish, sharks, marlin, and more. Inshore, there are sea trout, croakers, and flounder. 

5. Watercraft. If you enjoy being on the water but don’t want to fish, there are excursions available in every kind of watercraft from sailboats to yachts. Go for a sunset sail. Enjoy a dolphin-watching adventure. Explore the Island’s creeks, marshes, and inlets along Calibogue Sound via canoe or kayak. 

Browse Our Communities

Whether you’re seeking a vibrant coastal lifestyle or a serene retreat in the Lowcountry, Dream Finders Homes communities in Hilton Head/Bluffton have something for everyone, from first-time homebuyer to empty nester. Available in a range of options to suit your lifestyle and budget, our homes are designed to meet the needs of today’s families. 

Our communities offer the perfect balance of natural beauty, modern amenities, and Southern charm. For example, Magnolia Walk in Hardeeville, SC, offers an exceptionally convenient location in Hilton Head Lakes. With a range of exciting amenities, including a Tom Fazio golf course, a clubhouse, fitness center, community pool, & fire pit, sports courts & trails, it has a resort lifestyle you’ll love. Our distinctive collection of single family homes features sweeping lakefront vistas and a combination of rear-attached, detached, and front-load garages with tons of storage. 

Ideal for first-time homeowners or growing families, River Oaks in Okatie, SC boasts the best of Beaufort County. It offers a peaceful escape and a family-friendly hometown, surrounded by gorgeous vistas of live oak trees. The single family home options include unique floor plans with up to 4 bedrooms and 2-car garages, letting you downsize or upgrade to more space. Located around the corner from Hilton Head Island, Old Town Bluffton, Savannah, and Beaufort, top-rated Beaufort County schools are within walking distance. Quick move-in homes are available. 

Connect with Dream Finders Today!

Whether you’re new to the area or love being a tourist in your own town, you will find plenty of outdoor activities on Hilton Head Island to keep the whole family active and entertained. Now that you’ve learned about the fun things to do here, we invite you to browse our communities and homes for sale in Hilton Head Island, SC so you can start enjoying life here sooner rather than later. We have a range of unique designs and unlimited ways to personalize them. If you want to learn more about living in a Dream Finders community in the Hilton Head area, connect with us today!