Islands off South Carolina: The Sea Islands from Hilton Head

The Sea Islands are the chain of tidal and barrier islands along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina through Georgia to northern Florida, more than 100 of them between the Santee River and the St. Johns River. In South Carolina they run from Daufuskie Island at the Savannah River up past Charleston.

The South Carolina barrier islands are the ones on the ocean edge, with beaches facing the Atlantic: Hilton Head, Hunting, Fripp, Edisto, Kiawah, Folly, Sullivan’s and Isle of Palms. Behind them sit sea islands of marsh and farmland such as St. Helena, Lady’s and Johns Island. The islands are also the home of the Gullah Geechee people, whose culture grew up on the island plantations and is still strong on St. Helena, Daufuskie and Hilton Head.

Hilton Head is the best-known island off South Carolina and the one most people visit, with 12 miles of public beach and more resorts than any other. Some islands are private, gated communities you can enter only as an owner, renter or guest; the cards below say which.

The Charleston islands make a long day from Hilton Head, so most visitors pair one with a night in Charleston. Over the Georgia line, the Sea Islands continue with Tybee Island, an hour and a half away, and then St. Simons, Jekyll and Cumberland islands farther south.

Distances and times are by road from Coligny, without traffic. Leaving the island on a summer Saturday can add half an hour. For towns as well as islands, see cities near Hilton Head and our day trips from Hilton Head.