Are there a lot of gators in Hilton Head Island?
Alligator sightings on the beach are very very very rare, but they could be anywhere on our 14 miles of beach. Only on Hilton Head Island. No trip to the Island is ever complete without seeing one of our favorite Island natives, the American Alligator. We can find them in the lagoons in Palmetto Dunes and anywhere fresh water exists on Hilton Head.Hilton Head and the lagoons of the lowcountry are brimming with alligators. Many get to be 10-12 feet long. Crocodiles don’t normally venture this far north.The largest freshwater reptile on Hilton Head Island is the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Alligators are considered keystone species, a species that helps fashion its environment and influence the types of species that live there.According to the South Carolina Division of Natural Resources, there are about 100,000 alligators in South Carolina. About 2,000 to 4,000 live on Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island has been home to a number of alligators who were larger than 12 feet and weighed over 1,000 pounds.Hilton Head and the lagoons of the lowcountry are brimming with alligators. Many get to be 10-12 feet long. Crocodiles don’t normally venture this far north.
Are there tiger sharks in Hilton Head?
Top Tiger Shark Fishing in Hilton Head Island They are great for groups looking to get further offshore and who would like to bring home fish for dinner. This trip includes bottom fishing and wreck fishing. Generally, we go from 18 to 40 miles out, weather permitting. Port Royal Sound is thought to be a popular breeding region for great white sharks as well, and historically, Megalodons swam right through the low country before it was low! With all of this shark activity and history it is no wonder shark teeth are scattered about Hilton Head Island.Long known as a primary breeding ground for many species, the local waters near Hilton Head Island host many types of sharks, including hammerheads, tigers, blacktip, spinners, sharp nose and bonnet-heads, just to name a few. In the last few years, even great whites have been captured here.Described as “the ultimate ocean warrior” and named after a boating company, Contender, a 13. Hilton Head Island’s coastline Tuesday, just hours before snow fell on the island’s beaches.
Are there snakes in Hilton Head?
While encounters like this are uncommon, Hilton Head Island is full of wildlife, and snakes can occasionally make their way onto the sand. Always give them space and alert authorities if you spot one. SNAKES. All but four snake species on Hilton Head are non-poisonous. Poisonous snakes in our area include: Southern Copperheads, Eastern Cottonmouths, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes and the Canebrake Rattlesnake.
Can you see sea turtles in Hilton Head?
This beautiful, sensitive coastal environment also plays an important role in the conservation of endangered sea turtles. Every year, between May and October, we welcome loggerhead turtles to our beaches where they build hundreds of nests and lay eggs. During the nesting season in 2025, sea turtles laid 237 nests here. The best time to see adult sea turtles is during nesting season, which begins in May with nests often laid through mid-summer.Best Time of Day for Turtle Sightings – Early Morning: Dawn is ideal for spotting turtles as they come ashore to nest during dark hours and return to the sea in the morning. Late Afternoon to Early Evening: Turtles may be seen surfacing for air or feeding near the surface during this time.Your best bet is to book your stay in a beachfront vacation property or resort during the months of May through October. Turtles typically visit and nest at night, but visitors have been lucky enough to see them sometimes before sunrise or right after sunset.
Can you see dolphins in Hilton Head?
Hilton Head Island ranks as one of the “10 Best Dolphin Sighting Destinations in North America” and dolphin watching is one of the most popular activities on the island. Dolphins are easily spotted from the beaches, oceanfront golf courses, waterfront restaurants, and even from the comfort of a vacation home! It is estimated that a population of about 170 dolphins resides in the Hilton Head area year-round. That’s why our area is famous for offering dolphin sightings in every season. If getting to experience dolphins up close is your goal, there simply isn’t a bad time to take a dolphin tour on Hilton Head.Hilton Head Island was built for boating—take a nature and dolphin cruise with Outside Hilton Head to see wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural habitat. As you sail along, you’re also likely to see ospreys, egrets, pelicans, bald eagles, minks, otters, and other friendly faces along the way.Dolphin season on Hilton Head Island is year-round! While most dolphin pods migrate seasonally, the mild year round water temperatures on the South Carolina coastline are highly attractive to Atlantic Bottlehead Dolphins.
Are there bull sharks in Hilton Head?
Bull Sharks: Frequent Visitors Bull Sharks’ diet is diverse, including fish, birds, and even other sharks. This adaptability aids their survival in various marine ecosystems, including Hilton Head’s warm, shallow waters. Approximately thirty species of sharks that have been observed along the South Carolina coast. Two of the most common species are Carcharhinus plumbeus, the Sandbar Shark (Figure 1), and Carcharhinus limbatus, the Blacktip Shark (Figure 2).Shark Teeth of South Carolina Charleston, Folly Beach, and Morris Island are prized for their shark teeth hunting potential, but what kind of shark teeth are you likely to find? On a COA shark tooth hunting tour potential fossil finds include the teeth of makos, tiger sharks, great whites, and the prized megalodon!As many as 40 shark species may pass through South Carolina’s waters, depending on the season and water depth. Even though the shark population is ever changing throughout the year, beachgoers at Hilton Head may encounter around 14 species inshore during the summer months.