Dolphin Head
Hilton Head Island Land Trust
P.O. Box 21058
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
Hilton Head Island is a Lowcountry resort town located in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The island is named for Captain William Hilton who in 1663 identified a headland near the entrance to Port Royal Sound which he named “Hilton’s Head”. The island has 12 miles of beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular vacation destination. In the 1950s, developer Charles Fraser began transforming the island into a resort destination – leading to its modern-day popularity.
Dolphin Head is a beautiful area within Hilton Head Island, located in the Hilton Head Plantation community. It’s a popular spot known for its natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and scenic views of the Port Royal Sound. Although not a traditional beach for swimming, the area along Port Royal Sound offers serene views and is a great spot for beachcombing and walking. This is a short hike that starts at Dolphin Head in Hilton Head Plantation and follows the beach to Pine Island. There are outstanding views out an into Port Royal Sound on this hike, but be weary of high tides that will leave you with very little beach to make a return trip.
- click to see another photo from this hike on the Pine Island Trail: November 23, 2012
- click to view a trip report of this hike to Port Royal Sound: November 23, 2012 (password protected)
- click for a trail map of this hike on Hilton Head Island
- click for a topographical map of this hike at Dolphin Head (password required)
- click for a map of other parks on Hilton Head Island
- click for hikes at Dolphin Head on April 2012, August 2015, May 2021, August 2023, December 2023, February 2024
- click to access the guidebook Best Hikes With Dogs Georgia And South Carolina which has details on this destination
- click for South Carolina hiking and backpacking books