Look, everyone knows the drill when they pull onto Hilton Head Island. You pack the SPF 50, you rent a beach cruiser with a basket that rattles every time you hit a bump, and you spend three days trying to keep sand out of your turkey sandwich at Coligny Beach. It’s great. It’s a classic for a reason.
But honestly? If you stay strictly within the plantation gates for your entire trip, you’re missing the actual Lowcountry.
There is so much more to see. Just across the bridge, or a short boat ride away, the landscape shifts from manicured golf courses to wild, salt-crusted history. If you're looking for things to do near Hilton Head SC, you have to be willing to drive twenty minutes or hop on a ferry. The rewards are huge: better food, fewer crowds, and stories that go back hundreds of years before the first resort was ever built.
Bluffton: More Than Just a Mainland Shortcut
Most people treat Bluffton as the place where they stop at the Tanger Outlets or grab groceries before crossing the bridge to the island. Big mistake. Huge.
The "Old Town" district of Bluffton is basically the soul of the region. It’s perched right on the edge of the May River. This isn't some manufactured Disney version of the South; it’s a town where the streets are lined with massive live oaks draped in Spanish moss that looks like it’s been there since the dawn of time.
Walk down Calhoun Street. You’ll find the Church of the Cross, a stunning piece of Gothic architecture built in 1854. It survived the Civil War—barely—and it sits on a bluff overlooking the water. It’s quiet there. Peaceful.
If you’re there on a Thursday, the Farmers Market of Bluffton is non-negotiable. You can get local honey, sourdough that’s still warm, and probably see half the town catching up on gossip. It’s a community vibe that Hilton Head’s resort-heavy atmosphere sometimes lacks.
Why the May River Matters
The river is the lifeblood here. Specifically, the oysters. May River oysters are legendary among chefs because the water is incredibly salty and clean. If you see "May River Oysters" on a menu at a place like the Bluffton Seafood House, buy them. Don't think twice.
You can also get out on the water without the "tourist trap" feel of the larger marinas. Local outfits like May River Excursions do boat tours that feel more like a friend taking you out on his skiff than a formal tour. You'll see dolphins, sure, but you'll also learn about the "Bluffton State of Mind"—a local philosophy that basically means slowing down until your heart rate matches the tide.
The Untamed Magic of Daufuskie Island
If you want to feel like you’ve actually traveled back in time, go to Daufuskie.
There is no bridge. You have to take a ferry from Buckingham Landing or Harbour Town. Once you land, cars are almost nonexistent. You rent a golf cart. That’s your chariot for the day.
Daufuskie is famous for its Gullah-Geechee heritage. This is where Pat Conroy taught in a one-room schoolhouse, which he wrote about in The Water is Wide. You can still visit that schoolhouse today. It’s a heavy, beautiful experience to see the desks and the chalkboard and realize how isolated this community was for so long.
The Art Scene is Strange and Wonderful
Because the island is so secluded, it attracts a specific kind of person. Artists. Recluses. People who don't mind the hum of mosquitoes.
- Iron Fish Art: Chase Allen creates these incredible metal sculptures of fish and stingrays. He has an "honor system" gallery where you can sometimes just pick what you want and leave payment.
- Daufuskie Island Distillery: They make rum right there on the island. Drinking a "scrap iron" cocktail while looking at the trees is a core Daufuskie experience.
- The Silver Dew Winery: Located in a tiny building that used to store oil for the lighthouse, it’s a quirky stop that feels deeply personal.
It’s rugged. The roads aren't all paved. You will get dusty. But seeing the "First Union African Baptist Church" or the Mary Fields School is the best way to understand the real history of the South Carolina coast.
Drip-Dry History in Beaufort and Port Royal
Drive about 45 minutes north of Hilton Head and you hit Beaufort (pronounced BEW-fort, not BO-fort like the one in North Carolina).
Beaufort is a film set come to life. Forrest Gump, The Prince of Tides, and The Big Chill were all filmed here. The architecture is "Beaufort Style," which usually means massive porches designed to catch the sea breeze before air conditioning existed.
Hunting Island State Park
While Hilton Head beaches are wide and flat, Hunting Island is wild. It’s the most popular state park in South Carolina, but it feels ancient. The trees are falling into the ocean because of erosion, creating a "boneyard beach" of bleached driftwood.
You can climb the Hunting Island Lighthouse. It’s 167 steps. Your legs will burn, but the view of the Atlantic and the surrounding marshland is the best in the state. Just check their website before you go; they sometimes require reservations for the lighthouse because it’s so popular.
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Penn Center on St. Helena Island
This is one of the most important historical sites in the country. Period.
Located just past Beaufort, the Penn Center was established in 1862 as one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved people. It eventually became a retreat for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. The "Gantt Cottage" is where Dr. King reportedly drafted segments of his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Standing under the oaks at Penn Center is a visceral experience. It’s a place of immense struggle and even greater triumph.
Savannah is Closer Than You Think
Technically, it's in Georgia. But Savannah is only about 45-60 minutes from Hilton Head, making it one of the easiest things to do near Hilton Head SC for a day trip.
Savannah is the "Hostess City," but she’s got a bit of a dark side. It’s widely considered one of the most haunted cities in America. If you’re into the macabre, take a ghost tour. If you’re not, just walk the squares. There are 22 of them, each one a little pocket of green surrounded by historic mansions.
Pro tip for Savannah: Don't just walk River Street. It’s where the tourists go to buy t-shirts and overpriced fudge. Instead, go to Jones Street. It’s often called the most beautiful street in America. The brick paving and the high stoops are stunning.
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For food, skip the three-hour wait at The Lady & Sons. Go to Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room for incredible communal-style Southern food, or hit up The Grey—a high-end restaurant built in a refurbished Greyhound bus terminal. It’s run by Mashama Bailey, and the food is life-changing.
Exploring the Lowcountry’s Natural Side
If you’re tired of people, head to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
It sits right between the mainland and Hilton Head. Most people drive right past the entrance without even noticing it. There are over 14 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
You’ll see alligators. Lots of them. They usually just sun themselves on the banks of the ponds, looking like prehistoric logs. Just give them their space. The birdwatching here is also world-class; the Ibis Pond is a huge rookery where you can see hundreds of birds nesting during the spring and summer. It’s loud, it’s smelly, and it’s absolutely fascinating.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Back toward the island entrance is Honey Horn, home to the Coastal Discovery Museum.
This isn't a stuffy indoor museum. It’s 68 acres of trails, boardwalks, and gardens. They have Marsh Tacky horses—a rare breed native to South Carolina that nearly went extinct. These horses were used by Gullah farmers and even by soldiers during the Revolutionary War because they can navigate the swampy terrain where a bigger horse would sink.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
To actually make the most of these things to do near Hilton Head SC, you need a plan that doesn't involve spending four hours in traffic on Highway 278.
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- Timing is Everything: If you're driving to Savannah or Beaufort, leave before 9:00 AM or after 10:30 AM. The commuter traffic on and off the island can be brutal.
- Book the Ferry Early: Daufuskie Island ferries fill up, especially in the summer. Don't just show up at the dock expecting a seat.
- Pack Bug Spray: I cannot emphasize this enough. The "no-see-ums" (tiny biting gnats) in the salt marshes are relentless at dawn and dusk. Standard bug spray works, but locals swear by Skin So Soft or anything with a lot of eucalyptus.
- Check the Tides: If you're planning to visit the "boneyard" at Hunting Island or do a boat tour in Bluffton, the tide matters. High tide hides the best driftwood; low tide is better for seeing wildlife.
- Ditch the Chain Restaurants: The best food near Hilton Head is found in the "holes in the wall." Look for places like Cahill’s Market in Bluffton (chicken and waffles!) or various roadside shrimp stands where the catch came in that morning.
The Lowcountry is a complex, beautiful, and sometimes messy place. It’s more than just a manicured vacation spot. When you step outside the gates of Hilton Head, you find the real South Carolina—a place where the history is deep, the rivers are salty, and the pace of life is dictated by the moon and the tides. Go see it.
Next Steps for Your Trip Planning
- Download a Tide App: Before you head to the marshes or Hunting Island, check the local tide charts for the Beaufort/Hilton Head area.
- Reserve a Golf Cart for Daufuskie: If you plan on visiting the island, book your cart at the same time you buy your ferry tickets. They frequently sell out during peak season.
- Check the Penn Center Calendar: They host various cultural events and heritage festivals throughout the year that offer a deeper look into Gullah-Geechee culture.