Folly Field

In 1953 the first vacation cottages were developed on Folly Field Road by  Olin McIntosh of the Hilton Head Company to generate more ferry traffic from the mainland in hopes that the South Carolina government would then build a bridge to accommodate all the new residents and visitors.

Located between Palmetto Dunes and Port Royal this community is accessed through Folly Field Road or Port Royal Resort and is the Islands Oldest beach community. This neighborhood contains playgrounds, picnic areas, and a boardwalk to the beach. The neighborhood streets are named after flowers and the Villa Communities here make this a great beach community to live, vacation or rent in.  Some of these communities include Sandcastles by the Sea, Singleton Beach, Island Club, Hilton Head Beach and Tennis, Fiddlers Cove, and Admirals Row.  Cozy beach bungalows, old and new Oceanfront homes nestle easily together here.

Chaplain Park has 70 acres and offers islanders and visitors free well-lit tennis courts, Children’s Playground, Basketball Courts, Softball Fields, Soccer Fields, Bathrooms, and Free Parking.  The dog park is always popular.  It has 2 fenced off areas for small and large dogs, working water fountains for you and your pet and park benches.

Near Folly Field Beach you will find the Islanders’ Beach Park, which allows permit parking.

The Adventure Cove Family Fun Center has been here for as long as most islanders can remember. Instead of the world-class golfing greens of the gated plantation communities, Folly Field offers playful miniature golf, along with arcade games inside the Adventure Cove building.

As an added bonus, located on the corner of Singleton Beach Road is Harolds Diner.  Known for great breakfasts, huge burgers and a cook that may bust your chops if you order wrong, this is a fun place to grab lunch with a friend. Oh, and the milkshakes are to die for!

Folly Field Beach is located on Starfish Road, a right turn off Folly Field Road.  Parking is somewhat limited (52 spaces at meters at 25¢ per 15 minute period), but restrooms, sand showers, Life Guards and water fountains are available. While dangerous conditions such as riptides and undertows can exist on any beach, the Folly is an area where swimmers have gotten in trouble. This beach also is equipped with the mats that make it wheelchair accessible. It is the favorite beach for surfers. The beach, one of the Islands widest and whitest, is large enough for many games and activities.

Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort

If you hear an Islander say "beach and tennis," they are talking about the Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort. It is a gated oceanfront resort catering primarily to small families.

The resort occupies more than fifty-five beautifully landscaped ocean oriented acres, containing eight hundred, one and two bedroom units. With more than five hundred feet of beachfront, the many ocean facing condos have one of the Island's most dramatic sunrise views.

Like the name implies, Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort is beach friendly. Beach access is super convenient, there are three boardwalks leading directly to the sand and a near pristine beach. The boardwalks are needed because we do not want to trample the Sea Oats. The Sea Oats are the indigenous plants you see waving in the dunes, and are vital to the beach's ecosystem.  There are ten tennis courts which are lighted for evening and night play, and are free to the resort guests. The  pro shop runs clinics and offers tennis instruction, and can arrange playing partners. Alongside the tennis club is a large children's playground and a lagoon side cook out area. 

The resort has the Island's largest ocean front pool complex. For the little ones, there is a children's pool next to the Olympic size main pool. There is also a third pool near the Admirals Row buildings. Adjacent to the main pool area are a fitness course, outdoor showers and a pool side cafe. 

The Island Club

The Island Club is a family oriented privately owned resort located on 25 beautifully landscaped acres directly on the ocean between Port Royal Plantation and Palmetto Dunes Plantation. The Island Club has all the amenities you could want within just a few short steps including wide, sandy beaches, three terraced pools, nine tennis courts, racquetball and basketball courts, exercise room, sauna, and outdoor heated whirlpool, children's playground, organized children's activities during the summer and Oceanside picnic area with charcoal grills. Very close by are numerous restaurants including three within the Westin next door, golf courses and shopping centers.  The Island Club also has a 24-hour manned gate which gives limited access.  

Fiddler’s Cove

Besides being close to the beach, Fiddler's Cove is a private 23 acre resort community that offers a gated entrance with full time on site-security, 2 large pools, a whirlpool, 10 Har-Tru courts, 2 racquetball courts, barbecue areas and for the kids there are several children’s playgrounds. There is also free access to a local health/fitness center.