Hilton Head & Bluffton Lifestyle

At first blush, it’s easy to see the appeal of Hilton Head Island: The beach, the golf courses, the restaurants. You certainly can enjoy those attractions as a visitor.

So why live here? Because there is another side of Hilton Head that only residents get to see.

Only living here can you see how the greenery changes by the season, especially the color spectrum of spartina grass as it transitions from vivid green to darker green then fades into a glowing golden hue. 

Bluffton began as a Native American enclave where tribes could fish and collect oysters, then trade them along the May River. Later, it became a retreat for wealthy cotton, indigo and rice plantation owners who enjoyed the river breezes from the town’s bluff. Thus its name, Bluffton.

That life revolving around gentle breezes continues today, earning the town the designation of  “one of the last true Southern coastal villages.”

There are lots of ways to tell a story, even a history, with an almost passing glance. This is one of those: a quick peek mostly at people groups who have been part of the story of this very special island.

I am honored to present this annual community update for Hilton Head Monthly Magazine on behalf of our Town Council, which is comprised of unique individuals who have been working very hard representing a talented diversity of Islanders. 

Last December, Town Council came together along with town staff at a planning workshop that extended beyond its original schedule because of the magnitude of issues and opportunities faced by the Hilton Head Island community. During this workshop, Town Council developed the following top priorities:

The first time I drove that property I said, Oh, wow, look at this! I loved the vegetation. We had this beautiful marsh and these gorgeous big trees. I felt honored to have the chance to build there.” Fast forward 19 years and Belfair, now a Distinguished Emerald Club of the World, maintains the beauty Tom Fazio once envisioned. Members and visitors are welcomed by a beautiful drive through an expansive canopy of live oaks that has been mentioned among the most spectacular in the South.

AREA KNOWN FOR BEACHES, GOLF AND RELAXATION ALSO HAS PLENTY TO OFFER FOR THRILL-SEEKERS

Vacations are all about getting away from home and going on an adventure. You don’t have to go to the extreme and tie thousands of balloons to your house to set off on an adventure like in Disney’s movie “Up,” but adventure does await you in the Lowcountry. No matter how you plan to get here, be ready to step out of your comfort zone and fly to new heights.

IMPROVE YOUR INNER AND OUTER HEALTH FOR A HAPPIER LIFE

Beauty. There are a thousand definitions of the word beauty and truly it lies in the eye of the beholder. In this technological based world that is continually progressing, the word beauty is thrown around in various different situations. When most people think of the word beauty, they think of everything that is not beautiful about them.

Beauty is to feel free, natural, and confident both physically and mentally. It more than just looking perfect every day, it is how you feel on the inside and outside that will reflect your beauty.

“THE CURE FOR ANYTHING IS SALT WATER — SWEAT, TEARS OR THE SEA” — ISAK DINESEN

Sands. Surfing. Swimming. Sunning. Shores. Sailing. Sanctuary.

Whatever your vision of the “beach life” may entail, the sun-splashed beaches of Hilton Head Island offer as many experiences as there are shells on their sandy shores. From its heel to its toe, here’s an overview of some of the island’s popular beaches and hidden gems.

It’s no coincidence that Hilton Head Island is 12 miles long (it’s 5 miles wide) and has 12 miles of accessible beaches.

But these aren’t any beaches. They are pristine, clean and quiet, despite decades of development and millions of visitors.

How can that be?