Hilton Head Island SC has earned its reputation as a legendary resort island because of it's trademark striped lighthouse, breathtaking beach settings and world-class golf courses. Hilton Head Island has more than 350 species of native American birds, and prides itself in working towards protecting the area's wildlife, including the preservation of the endangered loggerhead turtle population. Hilton Head Island maintains its reputation as a favorite tourist destination as well as a premiere place for residency. The Island holds 25 golf courses, nine marinas, and a bountiful amount of tennis courts and vacation villas on several resort hotel properties .
The twelve miles of beachline, a host of quality shopping centers and restaurants to entice everyone's tastebuds makes Hilton Head Island a vacationer's or resident's dream come true.
Hilton Head Island is more than just another resort island or growing town by the sea. The island has a past; one that is beautiful, sometimes controversial and always interesting. This causes people to continue returning to take in more of the history, culture and agricultural beauty. Hilton Head's history dates back about 10-15 thousand years when Paleo-Indians roamed the area. The Archaic Period 8,000 - 2,000 BC saw the Woodland Indians living here seasonally ( Fall & Winter ) subsisting on the bounty of the waterways and rich soil. Shell Ring Sites from this period are found today on Hilton Head Island . The written History of Hilton Head Island began with the Spaniards in 1526, as they explored the coastal waters from Key West to the St. Lawrence, naming it "La Florida". They found Indian settlements and evidence of agriculture. With the arrival of the Europeans, the Indians fate was determined, so that by the year 1662, most of the Indians were gone due to the European's. They left a rich legacy of names and archaeological treasures still being unearthed there today. Captain Jean Ribaut, a French Huguenot, led an exposition to the area in 1562. He built a fort, named Port Royall near the present town of Port Royal in Beaufort County. In 1566, the Spanish again prevailed and established a Fort named Santa Elena on Paris Island ( St. Helena ), in what is now Beaufort County. From here they explored westward into the new world. English Captain William Hilton, in August of 1663, while exploring the Port Royal Sound, sighted the high bluffs of the Island, and named it for himself, "Hilton Head." The word "Head" refers to the headlands visible to them as they sailed the uncharted waters. He lingered several days, making note of the trees, crops, and also the sweet water and clear sweet air.
Rapid growth of the Island began in 1970, and the population has grown from 2,500 then to some 37,000+ in 2002. In 1970, The Island Packet, our present daily Newspaper, was first published as a 12 page tabloid. In 1975, the Island Hospital was built, and the Town population was then 6,500. In 1983, the Town of Hilton Head was Incorporated. Today, this beautiful sea island continues to offer Visitor and Resident alike a beautiful oasis featuring miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, World Class golf, tennis recreation and a renewal of spirit as one finds himself surrounded, and enriched by, the peaceful beauty of nature. The trees on Hilton Head Island that look like palm trees are actually palmetto trees and serve as the South Carolina state emblem.  The huge, sprawling trees often draped in Spanish Moss are Live Oaks. Spanish Moss is not moss at all, its an epiphyte, an air plant that derives all its needs from rainwater and sunlight. 
Harbor Town Light
Few places can compete with Hilton Head for nature lovers. Wildlife abounds on land, in lagoons and in the ocean. Hilton Head Island is home to several species of shore birds and inland birds. The smallest of these birds are Piping Plovers, which can be seen running along the tide line so fast their legs are a blur. Somewhat larger, but of similar behavior, are Sanderlings and Sandpipers. Egrets are found more often in lagoons and marshes than on the beach. These are the large, pure white, long legged birds with a very long skinny neck. Some other birds you might see are the ibis, the wood stork, the egret, brown pelicans, anhingas or cormorants, the gull, black skimmer, scaup,which is a type of duck, and osprey. Bird watching is popular among avian enthusiasts on Hilton Head Island. Alligators are perhaps our best known wildlife and grow to about 12 feet long. For the most part they live in the many lagoons throughout Hilton Head. During colder weather alligators will come out of their lagoons and lie on the banks in the sun to raise their body temperature. In warmer weather they stay in the water to stay relatively cool. This means the best time to see alligators is in the spring and fall, but exceptions are common.
Harbor Town
If a lot of rain has lowered the water temperature in the lagoons, the alligators will come out to sun themselves. It also seems sometimes they come out of the water just because they feel like it, for example, on a cloudy day. In Winter (October to March) alligators hibernate, so are rarely seen. Turtles also make their home on Hilton Head Island. The most common turtles spotted sunning themselves on the banks of lagoons are Diamondback Terrapins.  If you should get close enough to one to count the rings on the "diamonds" on its shell, you will know its age in years.The sea turtle you might see will likely be a Loggerhead.  These turtles can grow to enormous size, up to four feet in length and weighing 400 pounds. Loggerheads are protected by federal law as an endangered species. Dolphins abound in the waters around Hilton Head. You can see them from the beach or from a boat. Kayaking puts you as close as you can get to wildlife, however it limits your range, and may not provide a dolphin experience. May not be desirable for non swimmers or non athletically inclined. Shrimp caught in the waters off Hilton Head are Brown shrimp, Pink shrimp and White shrimp. You can buy locally caught shrimp in stores, or directly from the trawlers.
Harbor Town Dock
Evening Surf
Mr. Pellican
Horseshoe Crab
Whether crossing entrance arc of the bridge, flying over the sea and marshlands or navigating the surrounding waters to dock in an island harbour, there is the immediate sense of being removed from the rest of the world. Regardless if you are a permanent resident, part-time resident or a visitor discovering the riches of Hilton Head Island, you know there is something special about this place.
Hilton Head Sunrise
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