From time to time, I’ll see a car with “HHI” on their bumper sticker, and I’m immediately brought back to the feeling of being in one of my favorite places in the world. Bike trails for miles, perfectly compact sand for running, freshly-prepared seafood with a side of live music, an everlasting sunset, and excursions a plenty: Hilton Head Island, and Palmetto Dunes specifically, hold a special place in my heart and will forever hold some of my favorite memories.
From a young age, I traveled from Atlanta to Hilton Head Island with my family, and, to this day, I still try to make my way to the South Carolina coastal island any chance I get, even after moving to the west coast of Florida. During my first trips to this stunning island, I would travel with sand buckets and shovels, and, if lucky enough, a bodyboard to ride the waves during the day. As I grew older, my tennis rackets and a few cans of balls would accompany me in the backseat of my parent’s car. No family vacation was complete unless I could practice tennis with my dad at least once per day, as I was training for USTA tournaments, my high school season, and ultimately to play college tennis. Our condo or hotel of choice always fell on the location where we were within close proximity to courts, thus eventually drawing us to rebooking year after year within Palmetto Dunes and within minutes of their stunning racquet sports facility.
What started as just another facility to practice at quickly turned into a location that almost felt like home. Whether it be the impressive and fully-booked pickleball courts that welcomed me from the moment I walked towards the pro shop or the perfectly-groomed clay of the tennis courts, Palmetto Dunes was the ideal setting to upkeep my game while on vacation.
Once a morning practice session was complete, I knew that a refreshing sports drink or sometimes, if lucky, an ice cream sandwich would be in my future as we walked over to The General Store just across the parking lot. After cooling off from my practice, we had the full day ahead to explore various areas of my favorite island, and typically that meant putting on a helmet to ride bikes to lunch or gathering my beach supplies for a day in the sun.
One of the most unique aspects of Hilton Head Island and Palmetto Dunes are the bike trails that connect across the island as far as you can ride. The entrance of the bike trail quite literally starts just steps from your condo and connects across the entire area. You can also take your bikes onto the compact sand of the beach, and, depending on the time of day, you can even spot dolphins who may accompany you on your sandy cruise. Pro Tip: catch the sunrise or sunset on your ride, and you’ll hopefully be set up to also see dolphins who may be playing in the waves around those times, too.
If dining or shopping is more your style, then you’re also in luck. Hilton Head Island has so many unique and tasteful shopping districts and dining options that will accommodate any preference and taste. With minimal traffic to navigate across this 12-mile long island, you’ll be able to explore all that this island has to offer without the stress of your daily commute. While each area of town is unique, the buildings and restaurants typically are all set amongst the gorgeous oak trees while having a natural, earthy tone, making the island feel even more peaceful from every angle. There are also height restrictions, meaning the bustle of the city you may be used to won’t be an issue there, as there are no skyscrapers or large commercial buildings obstructing your views.
Once my morning hit and an afternoon excursion was complete, it was then time to unwind in the cool AC before freshening up and sporting my favorite beachy apparel to a fun dinner spot. If we were looking for proximity, Palmetto Dunes has a few dining options to choose from on-site, such as Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, The Dunes House, and Big Jim’s BBQ. Other nearby dinner favorites include the options within Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, just across the main street from the Palmetto Dunes entrance. My personal favorites include San Miguels for Mexican food or Scott’s Fish Market for seafood. I have so many fond memories of roaming around Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina as a kid waiting for the fireworks to begin or listening to live music outside of the other restaurants or on the main stage against the backdrop of the water. And now when I visit, I enjoy strolling the walkway around the marina and watching the sunset after dinner, or grabbing a scoop of ice cream before heading back to the condo for the evening.
Some of my other must-do recommendations when staying in Palmetto Dunes include dolphin sunset cruises, enjoying dining, shopping and family entertainment at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, kayaking the 11-mile lagoon, relaxing on the beach, and heading to the Toptracer Range (at the Robert Trent Jones Course) should golf be on your list. Palmetto Dunes has the ideal, central location when staying on the island. And, their racquet sports facility is truly one of the best around. Boasting 17 clay tennis courts and 24 pickleball courts, as well as a plethora of clinics and lessons, you’ll have every opportunity to perfect your game or even to meet lifelong friends while partaking in their programming.
No matter if I had a long weekend away or a full week to fill my days with sport, sun, and sand, Hilton Head Island always offered myself and my family or friends a chance to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the area. Regardless of how old I am during my visits, the feeling of leaving the condo or hotel on that last day remains the same as I am constantly wishing that I had at least one extra night booked. From soaking up the sun to hearing the sound of the ocean to reserving a court on one of my favorite islands, Hilton Head Island and Palmetto Dunes will forever be my go-to destination for a rejuvenating yet active getaway.
