HILTON HEAD'S PLANTATIONS
The substantial majority of Hilton Head is divided into limited access communities called "plantations." The rest consists largely of several neighborhoods, each with its own identity and characteristics.
A plantation on Hilton Head is a community with somewhat limited access and a carefully developed master plan. Our larger plantations are thousands of acres in size; our smallest one encompasses about 500 acres.
The following paragraphs describe plantations and neighborhoods that have numerous resort accommodations and activities. We will begin at the south end of the island, and work our way north. Note that the northern part of Hilton Head, including Hilton Head Plantation, Spanish Wells Plantation and adjacent off-plantation areas have relatively little resort activity...so will not be discussed here. Wexford and Long Cove Plantations, which have no resort facilities, likewise will not be discussed.
Sea Pines Plantation
The first of Hilton Head's plantations to be developed, Sea Pines Plantation is at the southern tip or "toe" of the island. It has become a prototype of how carefully planned development of major tracts of land can be accomplished without destroying much of the attractiveness of the land and of nature.
The uniqueness of the "Sea Pines approach" is excellent, enforceable land use planning, setting aside of substantial tracts of land for amenities and open space areas, and protection of plans, the environment and property owners by extensive deed restrictions on all property. Hilton Head's other plantations are similar to Sea Pines in concept and, in general, are equally well planned.
With about 5,000 acres within its boundaries, Sea Pines offers a multitude of activities for vacationers. Its beaches are broad, and relatively uncrowded. There are three golf courses open to public play, including the well-known Harbour Town Links, and two harbors complete with boats, restaurants, shops and other amenities.
Harbour Town, which probably is Hilton Head's most famous tourist attraction, is located on Sea Pines Plantation. Harbour Town's villas, shops and restaurants are built around a marina where yachts and smaller boats may be found throughout the year. The MCI Heritage Golf Classic is played in the Harbour Town area.
South Beach, located at the very southern end of South Sea Pines Drive, has its own separate marina and village. Sea Pines Center, located approximately in the center of Sea Pines Plantation, offers additional elegant shops, restaurants, etc.
Many hundreds of private homes and villas are available for rent through the companies listed our "Accommodations" link.
Forest Beach
South Forest Beach and North Forest Beach are immediately north of Sea Pines as one travels northward on Hilton Head's 12-mile-long ocean beach. South Forest beach and the southern-most part of North Forest Beach are offer numerous villa accommodations for visitors, plus the several hotels and motels. Coligny Plaza, with numerous restaurants and shops, is located in the Forest Beach area.
Forest Beach probably is the most visitor-intensive area of Hilton Head. Even so, there almost always is plenty of room on the beach! Accommodations in North and South Forest Beach, as a general rule, tend to be less expensive than on-plantation places to stay.
Shipyard Plantation
Shipyard is immediately north and landward of North Forest Beach. Its 800+ acres include three championship nines of golf, the outstanding Shipyard Racquet Club, the Crown Plaza Resort and numerous villa accommodations. There also is access to an attractive beach, miles of bike and jogging trails and much more.
There is a broad selection of villas available for rent, plus a limited number of private homes.
Palmetto Dunes
Palmetto Dunes Plantation is the second of Hilton Head's two major plantation resort areas (Sea Pines is the other). Its approximately 2,000 acres encompass an outstanding selection of resort accommodations and amenities.
Two major resort hotels, the Hilton Oceanfront Resort and the Marriott Beach & Golf Resort, share the beach with numerous villas and private homes. Palmetto Dunes also has three excellent golf courses, a major tennis facility and an extensive system of large interconnected lagoons.
Palmetto Dunes also includes a major yacht basin, Shelter Cove Harbour. Shelter Cove Harbour boasts several restaurants, numerous shops, and hundreds of rental villas...all overlooking yachts, sailboats and other watercraft of many kinds.
Accommodations on Palmetto Dunes Resort range from elegant private oceanfront homes and villas to oceanfront hotels to harbor-side villas. There also are relatively reasonably priced villas available in several areas of the plantation.
Folly Field
The Folly Field area is a mile or so north of Palmetto Dunes Resort. It is less manicured than the plantations and the Forest Beach area. However, its broad beaches and relatively reasonably priced (often, but not always) villa accommodations are appealing to many vacationers.
Port Royal Resort
Located at the northeastern-most corner of Hilton Head Island, Port Royal Resort offers a limited number of accommodations at the Westin Resort and nearby villas. Not only do Port Royal area vacationers have access to 54 holes of golf on Port Royal Plantation, but to the Port Royal Racquet Club as well.
William Hilton Pkwy.
Several hotels and motels have been constructed on or near William Hilton Parkway in the recent past. All are within easy driving distance of the beach, and most offer access to golf and tennis facilities. As a general rule, accommodations along William Hilton Parkway are less expensive than those on plantations, closer to the ocean or overlooking harbors.
