Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

Hilton Head's top industries are tourism and real estate, and about 31,000 live on the island. In addition, 2.5 billion people visit each year.

Sales tax is 5%.

Weather

The island's weather is mild and pleasant year round. In the summer, temperatures generally range from the 70s to high 80s. By mid-autumn, lows have dropped to the 50s and highs are in the 60s and 70s. During winter months, lows are in the 40s and highs in the 60s. Spring temps usually start in the 50s and reach the 80s by May.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Approximately a 15-minute drive from most of the island's lodging and attractions, Hilton Head Airport services two major airlines. The Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport is located 45 miles from the island and hosts seven major airlines.

Making Your Way

Driving is generally necessary to get around the island. However, walking and bike paths are readily available, and if you stay in a neighborhood that offers dining, shopping and entertainment, you may be able to to limit most of your trips to walking and bicycling.

News & Views

Bluffton Today and the Island Packet are the primary local newspapers. Hilton Head Monthly Magazine focuses on local events, dining and entertainment.

Quirks & Curiosities

A carefully planned community, Hilton Head Island features a beautiful design that makes numerous environmental provisions. Surrounded by trees, island buildings use subtle exterior colors and quality building materials that blend with the natural habit. Many other resort towns have used the island as a model.

Getting Your Bearings

When you're not familiar with a destination, you feel completely adrift. That's exactly what local visitors' centers hope to ward off. They've compiled a vast collection of resources to help you better understand a particular city, and they're more than eager to share their time, hints, and literature. To learn more about Hilton Head, visit the following location:

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Welcome Center
100 William Hilton Pkwy
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Necessities - Post Offices

It's usually not too difficult to spot a drop box when you're out and about, but if you need to conduct more serious postal business, it's not always that easy. Hilton Head offers several locations convenient to travelers and residents. They include:

Hilton Head Island
10 Bow Cir
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843-785-7002
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Harbourtown Branch
71 Lighthouse Rd, Ste 1
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843-671-2002
Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm

Fairfield Station
213 William Hilton Pkwy
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843-682-3002
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).