Harbour Town is a beloved marina village on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, known for its iconic lighthouse, yacht-lined docks, and lively waterfront shops and restaurants.
Harbour Town was developed in the late 1960s as the centerpiece of the Sea Pines Resort, one of the earliest planned resort communities in the United States. Its design drew inspiration from the fishing villages of New England and the Mediterranean, resulting in a compact, walkable waterfront that felt intentional rather than improvised. The marina opened alongside the Harbour Town Golf Links, and the two have remained inseparable symbols of Hilton Head Island's identity ever since.
The 90-foot Harbour Town Lighthouse, though built as a navigational aid, has become the most photographed structure on the island. Visitors can climb its interior stairs to an observation deck with sweeping views across Calibogue Sound toward Daufuskie Island. Along the docks below, charter boats offer fishing excursions, dolphin watching tours, and sunset cruises that drift through the tidal creeks and marshlands that define the Low Country landscape.
The village surrounding the marina is lined with independent boutiques carrying coastal art, nautical goods, and locally made crafts. Several restaurants and cafes face the water, serving Low Country staples alongside fresh seafood that reflects the region's deep culinary traditions. On warm evenings, live music drifts from the waterfront, and families settle onto benches to watch the boats ease in and out of their slips.
Harbour Town rewards visitors who slow down and take it on its own terms. It is a place where the architecture, the water, and the surrounding maritime forest all work together to create a setting that feels genuinely rooted in its landscape and history.
Visit during the RBC Heritage golf tournament each spring to experience Harbour Town Golf Links at its most electric, with the marina buzzing with spectators and events.
Climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse for a panoramic view of Calibogue Sound and the Sea Pines Resort canopy stretching toward the shore.
Arrive at the marina in the late afternoon to watch the charter fishing boats return with their catch and catch a vivid Low Country sunset over the water.
Try the local seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants, particularly dishes featuring fresh-caught shrimp, a staple of the South Carolina coast.
Rent a bicycle before heading to Harbour Town, as Sea Pines Resort has an extensive trail network that makes pedaling to the marina easy and scenic.
Pilot your own speedy mini boat at sunset and watch playful dolphins in Hilton Head's scenic waters.
Join the crew or relax on a 1.5-hour Hilton Head coastal sail aboard a historic America’s Cup yacht
Cruise Harbour Town on a private morning charter for up to 6 guests
Private 2-hour Solaris charter in Palmetto Bluff for up to 6 guests