Beaches:

Visiting the beaches of Hilton Head Island is a special treat. The sights, sounds and smells of South Carolina island beaches are unlike any in the world. The beaches here are much more than mere strips of sand at the ocean's edge. They are places of great natural beauty, geologic diversity and deep primal appeal.

The day begins when splashes of sunlight leak through live oaks and palmettos, painting necklaces of Spanish moss with lemon light. As you amble down a sandy path through a patch of tropical jungle, you are greeted by the warm caress of the Gulf Stream and the sound of surging surf. The breeze pushes the hair back off your face and you begin to realize why you came.

The calm sea nuzzles a wide, sandy stretch of beach. Strolling along through ponds and puddles of salt water left from last night's high tide, you catch out of the corner of your eye one of the island's magical treats - bottlenose dolphin cruising close to the shoreline. Sleek and graceful creatures, they spout a salty spray as they roll along, feeding on small fish just twenty feet from the breaking surf. Out on the sea an awkward looking brown pelican peels out of formation and dive-bombs an unsuspecting mullet swimming below. The sun begins to sink deeply into your skin as the salt air swirls about and takes you into its soothing embrace.