Hilton Head Lakes

Lakes Close to Hilton Head

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to plan your next summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Hilton Head. Lucky for you, when you visit Hilton Head there are some great spots for spending time on the lake.

There are countless brilliant reasons for making a trip to a lake in Hilton Head during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer activities like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Hilton Head have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Scan the local listings below to see your options including small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you to visit.

Lakes Near Hilton Head

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Hilton Head there are many things to do for families, couples, or with a group of friends. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make the most of your time unwinding.

Every getaway at the lake gives you everything from fun to relaxation.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Picnic time. Hilton Head’s lakes provide many great picnic areas where you can enjoy foods, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. For a romantic evening, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Hilton Head offer tons of fun for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a magnificent public beach on a lake near Hilton Head!

Lake Checklist

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on which lake you go to, what the weather is going to be, what your goals are for the getaway. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Hilton Head so you have everything you need!

Common lake items

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the vacation, the following list of items should be an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Garbage bags
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Bathing suits
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Something to eat
  • Beach blanket
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Insect repellant
  • Bluetooth speaker

More lake stuff

Take into consideration your planned activities at the lake and who will be joining you, the list of gear could make your day more enjoyable and worth a quick spot check before hitting the road.

  • Worms or other bait
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Games for the beach
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Goggles or masks
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Legal flotation devices

Lake Safety

While a day to your favorite body of water can provide ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Ideas for Lake Fun

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes near Hilton Head, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your itinerary far more rewarding. Case in point, every lake has their own qualities and surroundings so it is important to take into account what will make for an enjoyable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Make the most of the best assets in the area. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to stay right on the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Find a marina. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search will usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally the beaches near Hilton Head can get exceptionally crowded. If you want more space to yourself, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most happening beach!