Palmetto Dunes Beach Access and Parking
Three miles of public beach, reached through the Palmetto Dunes gate from the Dunes House, the Disney Beach House and the paths along Mooring Buoy and Ocean Lane.
More at Palmetto Dunes
Hilton Head Outfitters at 80 Queens Folly Road: Palmetto Dunes bike rentals, kayaks, paddleboards and beach gear, with free delivery on 3-day bike rentals.
Palmetto Dunes pickleball: 24 courts, 8 lit until 10 p.m., court and clinic prices, how to book, paddle rental. Open to the public, no gate pass.
Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island: 2,000 acres, 3 miles of beach, 3 golf courses and an 11-mile lagoon, plus gate passes, dining, rentals and tennis.
- Beach
- Three miles, public
- Rules set by
- Town of Hilton Head Island
- Gate pass
- Needed to reach the access points
- Step-free access
- MobiMat ramps at five spots
The Palmetto Dunes beach is the three miles of Atlantic shoreline in front of the Palmetto Dunes resort. The sand is public and falls under the Town of Hilton Head Island, like every beach on the island. What is private is the road to it: Palmetto Dunes is gated, so getting to the water means going through the gate.
Palmetto Dunes Beach Access Points
Palmetto Dunes beach access is at three kinds of place: the Dunes House, the Disney Beach House, and the walkways that run down to the sand along Mooring Buoy and along Ocean Lane. The Dunes House and the Disney Beach House are where the parking is. Five spots have MobiMat ramps for stair-free access to the sand, including the Dunes House, the Disney Beach House and the access by the Omni hotel. Beach wheelchairs are rented by Hilton Head Outfitters and by two shops outside the resort.
Public Beach Access and the Gate Pass
A public beach does not mean a public road. The resort lists the places you can drive to without a pass: the General Store, the Welcome Center, the Tennis & Pickleball Center, the Robert Trent Jones course, Big Jim’s, Alexander’s, the Hilton hotel and Hilton Head Outfitters. The beach access points are not on that list, and neither is the Dunes House. Everyone else picks up a pass at the pass office at 16 Queens Folly Road, and the hub page has the details on gates and passes. If you are not staying in the resort and want a beach with its own public parking, see Hilton Head beach access for the Town’s access points across the island.
Palmetto Dunes Beach Parking
Parking is at the Dunes House and at the Disney Beach House. Neither the resort nor the owners association publishes how many spaces there are or what they cost, so do not count on a spot in July. If you are staying in the resort, you can skip the car altogether: the Dunes Buggy is a free courtesy shuttle that runs daily in season, and you call (843) 689-4222 for a pickup.
Beach Rules and Dogs
The Town’s rules apply, and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office patrols the beach. Alcohol, glass, fires and fireworks are not allowed, you may not sleep on the beach between midnight and 6 a.m., and fines run up to $500 an offense. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. From October through March they can be on the beach anytime, leashed or under voice control, and in the spring and September they must be leashed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our dog-friendly beaches guide has the full calendar.
Food, Chairs and Gear on the Sand
The beachfront bar and grill is The Dunes House, steps from the sand. Beach chairs, umbrellas and surfboards rent by the day or week from Hilton Head Outfitters, and the resort runs surf lessons. You can watch the water first on the Dunes House camera on our Palmetto Dunes webcams page.
What reviewers say
Reviewers call the beach beautiful and the access very clean. The entrance gets a compliment of its own, with a paved lot, landscaping, sidewalks and plenty of bike parking. One guest who rented through VRBO says free parking for residents and guests at the Disney Beach House sits right in front of this access, and suggests parking there if you are bringing a full tent setup and walking over if you are only going for a stroll. Timeshare owners name the beach as the best part of staying here. Nothing shows up as a repeated complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
Is the beach at Palmetto Dunes public?
Yes. The sand is public and under the Town of Hilton Head Island’s rules. The gate is what is private, so getting to the beach takes a pass unless you are staying in the resort.
Where do you access the beach at Palmetto Dunes?
At the Dunes House, at the Disney Beach House, or by the walkways along Mooring Buoy and Ocean Lane.
Is there parking at the Palmetto Dunes beach?
Yes, at the Dunes House and at the Disney Beach House. The resort does not publish the number of spaces or the cost.
Are dogs allowed on the Palmetto Dunes beach?
Yes, on Town rules that change by season. From October through March, dogs can be on the beach anytime, on a leash or under voice control. From April through the Thursday before Memorial Day, and from the Tuesday after Labor Day through September, they must be leashed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Is there wheelchair access to the beach at Palmetto Dunes?
Yes. Five access points have MobiMat ramps, and beach wheelchairs can be rented.
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