Hilton Head South Forest Beach

If the island of Hilton Head is shaped like a boot (and it is), Hilton Head South Forest Beach is on the sole of that boot. The entire South Carolina coastline, as you'll recall, runs northeast to southwest. Hilton Head nestles the coastline near the Georgia line. As a boot, it stands tip-toe. The sole of the boot is the 12 miles of wide sandy Atlantic beaches. It faces east southeast.

As you may know, Hilton Head Island is defined in part by its quieted gated communities. Sea Pines, the oldest and largest of them, was established circa 1957, shortly after the first bridge connected the mainland to the island. It encompasses the entire toe of the boot. Moving north along the Atlantic coast, the next major gated communities are Shipyard and Palmetto Dunes. Port Royal sits on the heel, and Hilton Head Plantation just below the ankle.

Hilton Head South Forest Beach

Between these large and well-established residential communities are both public beaches and smaller vacation resorts. The Hilton Head South Forest Beach area is in this first stretch of continual beach between Sea Pines and Port Royal. Some of these resorts are also gated communities. Virtually all of them proffer the same gracious South Carolina hospitality and amenities you'll find statewide.

No matter whether you end up renting a villa overlooking one of the 24 championship golf courses, a marina, or the ocean, you'll be in easy reach of island's many recreational opportunities. But because you doubtless want to walk the wide sandy beaches, you might want to look for a rental villa in the Hilton Head South Forest Beach area, where the Atlantic and the island sand dunes are right outside your door.