Hilton Head Island SC (South Carolina)

Hilton Head Island is a resort town located on the same-named island in South Carolina, USA. The island is located approx 32 km (20 mi) northeast of Savannah Georgia, and approx 153 km (95 mi) southwest of Charleston SC.

Hilton Head Island features a coastline with approx 19 km (12 mi) beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean. The island's total area is approx 179 km2 (69 mi2) and its population around 40,000. During the peak summer tourist season, this number swells up to 150,000. Hilton Head is a primary city within the "Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort" metropolitan area.

The island's rich history starts thousands of years ago with seasonal occupation by Native Americans. Next was the European exploration and Sea Island Cotton trade. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Hilton Head became a major base of operations for the Union blockade of Southern ports. Once it fell to Union troops, a great number of recently liberated slaves flocked to the island. Their descendants are today considered "native islanders", and managed to hold on much of their cultural and ethnic identity.

Comparatively to its size, Hilton Head offers a large number of cultural tourism opportunities. Among those are US East Coast's largest annual tented wine tasting event, Broadway-style programming at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 120-member chorus of Hilton Head Choral Society, performances by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. The island also hosts Heritage Golf Classic (PGA Tour tournament) played on Harbour Town Golf Links, Sea Pines Resort.

Hilton Head Island SC cruise terminal