A Guide to Vacation Homes on Hilton Head Island
Teeing off on a championship golf course. Strolling along miles of white-sand beach. Perfecting your serve on the tennis court. Exploring on two wheels. There are as many ways to enjoy a visit to America’s Favorite Island® as there are unique, exciting, and memorable places to stay while you’re here with us. In fact, the Lowcountry boasts a truly incredible selection of vacation rental options, from cozy condos and charming townhouses to sprawling oceanfront homes overlooking the beach.
Read on to explore some of our favorite vacation rental options on Hilton Head Island, from family vacations to romantic rendezvous — and everything in between.
Game, Set, Match: A Hilton Head Island 3-Day Tennis Itinerary
When you think of Hilton Head Island, what comes to mind? A lush natural playground along the Atlantic? Some of the country’s most picturesque beaches? Indulging in fresh Lowcountry seafood? Championship-level golf courses dotting the coastline?
These are indeed trademark features of America’s Favorite Island®, but for many visitors and locals, Hilton Head Island is synonymous with tennis. In fact, Hilton Head Island boasts over 350 tennis courts in its 12 miles, potentially the most per square mile anywhere on the globe. Here, avid players and enthusiastic beginners will delight in eight of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts and camps — all open year-round.
Over the years, Hilton Head Island has welcomed true tennis heavyweights, including Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Rod Laver, and many more. Lowcountry courts have also been graced with incredible competition, having hosted many championship tournaments, including World Mixed Doubles and World Championship Tennis.
Of all the greats who have visited Hilton Head Island, Stan Smith has built a 50-year legacy in the Lowcountry. In 1971, he started as the touring pro for Sea Pines, hired by developer Charles Fraser who wanted to make tennis a part of the resort’s amenities. Smith, a two-time major singles champion by 1972, brought immediate interest and notoriety to the area thanks to his raw talent and world-number-one ranking. Fast forward to 2002, Stan Smith, in partnership with another tennis great, BJ Stearns, opened the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy. This world-class tennis institution offers year-round, comprehensive programming for novice students and promising young athletes aimed at honing their talent and helping them reach their full potential. It’s a legacy that continues to this day.
Whether you’re just starting to perfect your serve and volley, a seasoned pro looking to take your game to a new level, or searching for some friendly competition, Hilton Head Island has ample world-class facilities, camps, and programs. With many of our partners offering daily drop-in and book-ahead clinics, it’s easy to find top-flight instruction. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we’ve put together a 3-day itinerary for lovers of the game, highlighting some top-rated facilities, so you can get to the heart of our thriving tennis culture.
Five Reasons a Visit to Hilton Head Island Should be on your New Years' Resolutions List
For so many of us, the beginning of a new year naturally prompts a moment of reflection. It’s a time to take stock of the things that matter most, set intentions for the year to come, and look back on memories made with the people who matter most to us. As we welcome 2023 here in the Lowcountry, we’re filled with hope and excitement at the incredible possibilities this new year holds — not to mention the many wonderful visitors we look forward to once again welcoming to our sunny shores!
In our often-challenging, ever-changing world, making time for connection, joy, and celebration feels more important than ever. And what better place to do just that than right here on America’s Favorite Island®? Whether your New Year’s resolutions are about getting into shape, reconnecting with nature, or enjoying quality time with loved ones, a visit to Hilton Head Island offers that rare opportunity to blend intention and relaxation. The result? A getaway you’ll reminisce about for many years to come.
Getting in Touch with Nature on Daufuskie Island
Want to get unplugged, relax, and reconnect with nature? Of course you do. We all do. So, let’s close our eyes and try this:
- Imagine the rhythmic sound of a boat’s bumper gently rapping against an old wooden dock or the squawk of a seafaring bird.
- Inhale South Carolina’s coastal air and let the briny scent of a low tide and exposed oyster beds overtake your olfactory.
- Feel the heat as your feet walk on mid-afternoon sand in the summer.
- Boil some local shrimp to a pretty pink and then taste a spectrum of flavors from sweet to salty.
- Envision the infusion of color as an electric sun melts down into the horizon.
Encourage Your Child to Play Tennis on Hilton Head Island with Tennis Camp
Looking for a fun, engaging activity for your kids on Hilton Head Island? Get them started playing tennis at a young age through one of Hilton Head Island’s Kids Tennis Camps.
For the younger kids, ages 4 to 10, Van Der Meer’s QuickStart Tennis Day Camp gives an exciting introduction into tennis skills and game play. The customized program brings the game to the kids’ level, allowing them to progress more efficiently. The use of size appropriate equipment and courts makes the game more exciting, with them getting to see their progress from day one.
