Hilton Head Island Travel Guide

When to Visit Hilton Head Island

With its growing popularity, Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for most of the months of the year. Roughly one-third of the visitors choose Hilton Head primarily for the golf. During the annual summer school break, families flock to the island to enjoy the beaches and an array of family friendly outdoor activities.

The comfortable temperatures and somewhat lower humidity of spring and fall have made the island a popular destination for romantic retreats as well as girlfriend or buddy group getaways. Even the traditionally off-season months of January and February have become busier during the past several years, with only a handful of restaurants continuing the practice of closing for a winter break.

Hilton Head Island Weather

Hilton Head's proximity to the Gulf Stream produces a balmy, subtropical climate year round with an average daytime temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). The average annual ocean temperature is 69 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).

The coldest months are December, January and February, when temperatures fall to average lows of 40 degrees and highs around 60 degrees. The summer months are generally hot and humid, with July and August temperatures frequently approaching or reaching above 90 degrees; however, the prevailing ocean breezes of summer help keep the island much more comfortable than inland locations. The hurricane season runs from June 1 - November 30.