Hilton Head Island is a small island located right off the coast of South Carolina. It is a popular tourist destination and has many resorts and hotels for visitors. Available activities on the island include: horseback riding, boating, fishing, shopping and swimming.http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/ The island has white beaches and sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the beaches are private and can only be accessed from private property or from beachfront resorts. There are beaches that are marked for public use throughout the island.http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/what-to-do/beaches/

One of the biggest draws of Hilton Head Island is the fresh seafood cuisine. There are many restaurants on the island that sell coastal shellfish and fish dishes. Some of the restaurants have bars that feature live music performances throughout the week.http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/eat.htm

Visitors who would like to stay in vacation rental properties will find many available on the island.http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/stay.htm Popular vacation rentals and villas include "Sea Pines", "Oceanfront Palms" and "Palmetto Dunes".http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/where-to-stay/homes-and-villas/ Those who are interested in moving to Hilton Head can find timeshares, residential communities and existing homes for sale. Custom homes can also be built by contractors on the island.http://www.hhisland.com/hilton_head/real_estate_overview.php

Hilton Head Island has been inhabited sporadically for thousands of years. Native Americans visited the island during particular seasons until 1000 B.C. It was later explored by Francisco Cordillo in 1521. In 1711, nearby town Beaufort, South Carolina was founded. During the Civil War, Hilton Head became a stopover for Union troops, escaped slaves and missionaries.http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/island/history.cfm

After military occupation ended in 1868, the population declined but later grew as descendants of freed slaves began to inhabit the island. Hilton Head expanded as timber companies and supermarkets began to operate. The first beachfront housing villas were sold in 1958 and the first golf course was opened in 1959. After this, Hilton Head began to position itself as a travel destination in the Southeastern United States.http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/island/history.cfm