Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Population: 26,700 and over 2.5 million visitors annually

Time Zone Hilton Head is in the eastern time zone. When it is noon in New York City; it is also noon at Hilton Head.

Weather:

Hilton Head enjoys a semi-tropical climate, with an average temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) making it a perfect location for year-round enjoyment. Average daily temperatures climb to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) in the hottest months, and fall to a not unpleasant 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) in the cool season. The area enjoys over 200 sunny days each year, with April the sunniest month.

Hurricane season is June through November, with the highest probability starting mid August and ending late September. Hilton Head was last hit by a hurricane in the year 1896.

Average Temperatures:

Local Seasons

Spring is one of the most attractive seasons in South Carolina. Throughout the region, cherry blossoms are followed by azaleas, dogwood, and camellias from April into May, and by apple blossoms in May. Summer can occasionally be hot and humid, but temperatures are cooled by gentle breezes in this coastal area. Folk, craft, art, and music festivals take place in summer, as do sports events. Fall brings spectacular foliage. In winter, temperatures average in the 60s. Summer temperatures range from the high 70s to the mid-80s.

What to Pack

Weather in Hilton Head is semi-tropical. In winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In the summer it can get quite warm, with July and August highs reaching 100 degrees. On hot summer days, tropical afternoon thundershowers are common, though not long lasting. Be sure to pack sun block for protection while on the beach.

Hilton Head Island is very informal. Shorts and shirts are the usual attire in summer.

In winter a sweater or sweatshirts will usually do. If you plan to walk the beach in winter, bring a windbreaker. Jeans are appropriate for everything except golf.

Business Hours

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings; the post office from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, particularly in indoor and strip malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 5 or 6 on Sundays.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1.

Washington’s Birthday: 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Election Day: 2^nd Tues. in Nov. in even years

Veterans Day: November 11

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov. and day after

Christmas Dec. 25 and 26

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Electricity

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Visitors from other countries, traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Emergencies

Ambulance, Fire , Police (Phone: 911).

Taxes

The sales tax in South Carolina is 5%.

Local tax, lodgings and meal taxes are added in addition to this.

Tipping

At restaurants, a 15% tip is standard for waiters; up to 20% may be expected at more expensive establishments.

Telephones

The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Hilton Head is 803.

All U.S. telephone numbers consist of 10 digits - the three-digit area code, followed by a seven-digit local number. If you're calling a number from another area-code region, dial "1" then all 10 digits. For calls within the same local calling area, just dial the seven-digit number.

Getting There

By Plane

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) (120 Beach City Rd., 843/689-5400) is served by one airline, US Airways Express.

Either fly straight to the Island or fly to the new Savannah Airport. It is exactly 1 hour driving time from Savannah Airport to the center of the Island. You can get a rental car, taxi, or limo at the Airport.

If you have a private aircraft, there are parking and tie-down facilities at the airport.

Savannah International Airport

Most travelers to Hilton Head use the Savannah International Airport (SAV) (400 Airways Ave., I-95, exit 104, 912/964-0514), in metro Savannah, 15 minutes from downtown Savannah and about a 45-minute drive to Hilton Head.

Rental cars are available.

By Train

Amtrak train service is available into Savannah.

By Car

Visitors traveling to Hilton Head Island by car should exit I-95 at Exit 8 and take Hwy 278 direct to the Island. Resorts on Hilton Head Island's south-end are best reached via the Cross Island Parkway; which has a moderate toll for 2-axle vehicles. It is about 30 minutes from the I-95 turnoff to the bridge onto the Island.

If you are driving from the South, you'll be on I-95 heading North. Get off I-95 at Exit 8 and take Route 278 straight to the Island.

U. S. Route 278 is the only highway coming to Hilton Head Island. 278 extends all the way to I-95 ( Exit #8 ). After you cross the large bridge ( which spans the Intercoastal Waterway ), you are on the Island. After driving 2 miles onto the Island, you'll see signs for the New Cross Island Parkway, ( stay in the left lanes ) or Business 278 ( stay in the right lanes ). Until 1998, Business 278 was the only road traversing the Island, and ended at Sea Pines Circle.

The speed limit is 45 mph, and there are many stoplights along the way. It used to take between 25 & 30 minutes to get to the Sea Pines Circle on Business 278. With the new Cross Island Parkway ( speed limit 55 mph and no lights ), it takes only 5-6 minutes to get to Sea Pines Circle. The new Parkway is about 6 miles long, and there is a modest toll.

Bicycles are for rent with helmet and chain lock. These are beach bikes with no gears - fine for a place as flat as Hilton Head

 

By Boat

If you have a boat, you can access Hilton Head Island either from the Ocean or the Inter-Coastal Waterway. There are numerous Marinas for boaters.