The Best Public Marinas On Hilton Head Island, SC

Land and water visitors to Hilton Head Island, SC, will find marinas that can house small, medium, or large boats. Travelers will also find every imaginable amenity including many water sports, deep sea fishing, inshore fishing charters, sail and power boat rentals, sightseeing, nature tours, and dinner cruises. Yes, Hilton Head Island is a boater’s paradise. Below we will give you a list of the best public marinas on the island, but first here are some tips and considerations when selecting a marina.

 

 

How To Choose The Right Marina

Whether you’re sailing from one coastal location to another or island hopping in the Northeast or the Caribbean, selecting the right marina when you need to resupply, refuel, and recharge your own batteries can be the difference between a luxurious vacation at sea and a far less relaxing trip. To maximize your enjoyment and minimize your frustration, you might consider the following factors when choosing a marina.

Location

It may seem obvious, but significant consideration should go into where the marina is located, both in terms of its geographical location and in terms of how close it is to amenities, services and necessities.

Is the marina located in town, or in a more remote setting? Will you need to secure transportation to get around the area, or is it pedestrian friendly? Can you easily access a market for provisions? You will have plenty of tasks to perform once ashore, so you shouldn’t have to travel too far to pick up necessary supplies.

Marina Infrastructure

Sturdy, well maintained docks, consistently strong water pressure, and reliable electricity are all required for a pleasant marina experience. When deciding on a marina, you should inquire when the last major renovations to various infrastructural elements (such as the electrical systems) were made. Nothing can ruin your relaxation like a power outage! 

Marina Amenities

When selecting a marina, inquire if any amenities will be made available to you. Dockside amenities (such as strong WiFi) can really enhance the quality of any marina stay, but only if they work reliably. There are a range of services that may be made available during your marina stay such as a dedicated concierge to handle any requests you may have during your stay. Is there access to swimming pools, restaurants, a sauna or fitness center? These types of amenities will keep you happy and refreshed.

 

 

Security/Privacy

Docking a large yacht or sailboat can attract lots of attention, and attention is so often the last thing you want when you’re seeking a relaxing vacation.

Quality marinas take their on-site security very seriously and may even have a dedicated security person to watch over the premises at night. There should always be clear separation between the slips, marine grounds, and public property, enforced by signage or a physical barrier such as a secure fence.

Attention to Detail

Does the marina have a dedicated crew cleaning the docks and keeping them clean? Are ropes and lines kept tidy and out of the way of foot traffic? Is the marina office well-furnished and free of clutter? Does the marina offer a welcome package for new and returning guests? Is a dockmaster or marina manager available at all hours to answer any question?

What separates a quality marina from just any other marina is this attention to detail, and that appreciation for the little nuances that enhance your experience as a guest cannot be fabricated

 

The Best Marinas on Hilton Head Island

Broad Creek Marina

With 53 boat slips and an abundance of water sports available, Broad Creek Marina is an exceptional haven for boating fans on Hilton Head Island.

With dry storage capabilities (up to 35 foot long boats) and a full service body shop on site, the Broad Creek Marina is an ideal home hub for island boaters. It has three wet slips for boats up to fifty-five feet long and two wet slips for boats up to one hundred feet long.

Broad Creek Marina is located in the heart of Hilton Head Island and is in close proximity to 35 golf courses, numerous restaurants, and historic sites. If you are seeking a day of recreation and entertainment during a Hilton Head Island vacation, you can find dolphin and nature cruises, sailboat charters, fishing excursions, parasailing, and more.

Amenities include: well stocked marina shop that includes food and basic supplies, WiFi, fuel, laundry service, ample parking, restrooms and showers, body shop, mechanic’s shop, 30 and 50 amp hookups.

Broad Creek Marina
18 Simmons Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-3625
https://www.broadcreekmarinahh.com

Shelter Cove Harbor and Marina 

The largest marina on Hilton Head Island is in one of the deepest parts of the bay. Set just off the Intercoastal Waterway, this picturesque marina is on 15.5 acres with 178 boat slips for boats up to 145 feet in length.

Located in the middle of the island, the marina offers year round waterfront tourism with recreations like sport crabbing, sailing, dolphin tours, nature outings, and more. You can also rent a pontoon or deck boat from the marina to helm the waters for yourself.

Shelter Cove offers year-round waterfront dining, shopping and entertainment, plus sublime views of Broad Creek.

Amenities include: free WiFi, ice, bike rentals, gas and diesel fuel, trash and recycling services, on-call 24/7 dockmaster, 24-hour security, restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, water hookups, an ATM, spacious parking, boat washing, detailing, painting, maintenance and repair, 30 and 50 amp power pedestals.

Shelter Cove Harbor & Marina

1 Shelter Cove Lane
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 548-0532
https://www.sheltercovehiltonhead.com/marina

Palmetto Bay Marina 

Established in 1958, this is one of the oldest marinas in the area, and it is the deepest marina on Hilton Head Island. Even at low tide the water is still at least 22 feet deep.

Palmetto Bay Marina is a full-service, family-friendly marina offering watersports, charters, shopping, restaurants, dockage, and fun.

Palmetto Bay Marina has a convenient south side location near the Cross Island Bridge and Palmetto Bay Road.

Amenities include: over three thousand feet of dockage, marine fuel, diesel fuel and gasoline, 30, 50, and 100 amp pedestals, freshwater hoses, fish cleaning and filet station, pump out services, yacht services, and mechanical services.

There are four restaurants and bars on site: The Black Marlin, The Hurricane Bar, Carolina Crab Company, and The Sunrise Cafe.

Palmetto Bay Marina

86 Helmsman Way #101b
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-5000
https://pbmarinahhi.com/

Safe Harbor Skull Creek Marina

Safe Harbor Skull Creek Marina is lodged in the northeast corner of Hilton Head Island, one mile west of Hilton Head Plantation and directly across the waterway from Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Their modern concrete floating docks can accommodate vessels up to 200 feet in length along with 24-hour privacy and security. The dock is conveniently located off the Intracoastal Waterway with deep water access to Port Royal Sound and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

Amenities include: marine fuel, gasoline and diesel fuel, laundry, restrooms and bathhouses, spacious parking, shore power hookups and freshwater hookups, fish preparation stations and tables, pump outs, and 24/7 security.

Safe Harbor Skull Creek Marina

1 Waterway Lane
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-8436
https://shmarinas.com/locations/safe-harbor-skull-creek/

Harbor Town Yacht Basin 

Located in the heart of the Sea Pines Resort, the Harbor Town Yacht Basin is widely recognized as one of the top yachting destinations on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Docking is available for a day, a week, a month, or even a lifetime.

Visitors can engage in an assortment of water sports such as kayaking, sailing, stand up paddle boarding, water skiing, and even jet skiing.

Here you’ll find slip rentals and sales, marine supplies and apparel, professional yacht sales and brokerage dealers, and friendly, experienced staff.

This marina can support boats up to 30 feet long. A private boat ramp, fuel station, wet dockage, 100 slips, and restaurants are on-site too. 

Amenities include: dockside WiFi, pump out, restrooms and shower, laundry, a ship store, groceries, ATM/bank, restaurants, hotel, fitness center, security.

Harbor Town Yacht Basin

149 Lighthouse Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 363-8335
https://www.seapines.com/experiences/marina

Windmill Harbour Marina

On the northwest coast of Hilton Head Island on the Intracoastal Waterway, you’ll find the 15.5-acre Windmill Harbour Marina.

The Windmill Harbour Marina is one of three private locked harbors on the East Coast. It’s safe and secure not only from those who might want to tamper with your boat but it’s also safe from tidal changes and variable sea conditions.

Here, there are 258 boat slips for boats ranging from 25 to 75 feet long, offering many for rent or sale. The Windmill Marina lock is 75 feet long by 19 feet wide.

Amenities include: high speed fueling, a ship store, restrooms and showers, yacht sales and brokerage on site, pet friendly, on-call maintenance for repairs on engines, canvases, electronics, and more.

 Windmill Harbor Marina

161 Harbour Passage
Hilton Head Island, SC 19926
(843) 651-9235
http://windmillharbourmarina.org/

Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort & Marina

One of the most popular boat and RV areas on the island is the Hilton Head Harbour RV Resort & Marina.

With 101 boat slips that allow easy access to open water exploring, boating buffs will appreciate the ease of docking at this marina. You can also find fishing charters at the marina along with boat, kayak, stand-up paddle board, and jet ski rentals.

Amenities include: WiFi, cable TV, restrooms and showers, laundry room, fuel, two swimming pools, a ship store, exercise room, playground, tennis court. 

Hilton Head Harbour RV Resort & Marina

48 Jenkins Island Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681 3256
https://www.hiltonheadharbor.com/marina

South Beach Marina (at Sea Pines)

The South Beach Marina is located in a New England style village with fuel and dockage for boats up to 30 feet for daily, weekly, or monthly stays. This is the closest marina to the Atlantic Ocean. Water sports available.

Amenities include: restrooms, ship store, bait & tackle, floating docks, restaurant, security.

South Beach Marina

232 South Sea Pines Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 671-6699
https://www.hiltonheadisland.com/south-beach-marina-at-sea-pines/

Hilton Head Island is surrounded by water so it’s only natural that it has a broad mix of marinas, each unique in its own way. So if you are ready to navigate the beautiful waters of this grand island, then follow our tips and considerations to help you decide which marina best fits your needs.