In Brief
Savannah (45 minutes), Beaufort (40 minutes), Charleston (2 hours) and Daufuskie Island, reached only by boat, are the classic day trips from Hilton Head Island. Every experience can be pre-arranged and privately guided.
The Lowcountry is not Hilton Head Island alone. It is a constellation of extraordinary places, each within easy reach, each offering something the island does not. Savannah (45 minutes) is one of America's most beautiful cities. Its 22 historic squares, draped in live oaks and Spanish moss, create an urban landscape unlike anything else in the country. The SCAD-transformed art scene fills former industrial buildings with gallery-quality work. Restaurants like The Grey (James Beard Award, in a former Greyhound terminal), Husk (Sean Brock's Southern reinvention), and The Olde Pink House (1771, Savannah's oldest restaurant) make the drive worth the meal alone. Beaufort (40 minutes) is Pat Conroy's South Carolina. The most photogenic downtown in the Lowcountry, with antebellum mansions facing the Beaufort River and a waterfront that stops conversation. The Penn Center on St. Helena Island preserves one of the most important sites in African American history. Daufuskie Island, accessible only by boat from Hilton Head, preserves Gullah heritage and pristine beaches in a setting that feels decades removed from the mainland. No bridge. No traffic lights. Just live oaks, tabby ruins, and the sound of the water. Charleston (2 hours) needs no introduction, but it deserves one anyway. The Holy City's historic district, restaurant scene, and cultural calendar rank among America's finest. Every experience can be pre-arranged and privately guided.
Coming This Season
On the Editorial Calendar
Savannah in a Day: A Curated Walking Tour from the Island
Beaufort and the Sea Islands: History, Art, and Waterfront Dining
Daufuskie Island: The Last Unpaved Barrier Island
Charleston by Car: What to See, Where to Stay, and When to Go
Bluffton's Old Town: Galleries, Restaurants, and the May River
Questions
Day Trips & Guides: Frequently Asked
What are the best day trips from Hilton Head Island?
The essential day trips: (1) Savannah, GA (45 min): 22 historic squares, James Beard restaurants, SCAD art scene, River Street shopping. (2) Beaufort, SC (40 min): Pat Conroy's South Carolina, antebellum waterfront, Penn Center African American history. (3) Daufuskie Island (boat-access only from Hilton Head): Gullah heritage, pristine beaches, no cars, tabby ruins. (4) ACE Basin (30 min): one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast, kayaking and wildlife. (5) Charleston, SC (2 hours): historic district, world-renowned dining, plantations, Fort Sumter.
How do I get to Daufuskie Island from Hilton Head?
Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat. Public ferry service operates from Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head (approximately 45-minute crossing). Private water taxis and charter boats offer flexible scheduling and can depart from multiple Hilton Head marinas. Once on Daufuskie, transportation is by golf cart since there are no paved roads and very few cars. Guided tours cover Gullah heritage sites, the historic Mary Fields School, tabby ruins, and pristine beaches. Half-day and full-day excursions are available.
Explore All Ten Pillars
Every pillar of luxury on Hilton Head Island, from fashion to fine dining, from real estate to art and culture.
Return Home