{"id":1044,"date":"2021-08-27T12:05:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T16:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=1044"},"modified":"2021-10-11T15:19:12","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T19:19:12","slug":"how-to-navigate-hilton-head-islands-sea-pines-circle-a-visitors-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/how-to-navigate-hilton-head-islands-sea-pines-circle-a-visitors-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Navigate Hilton Head Island\u2019s Sea Pines Circle [A Visitor\u2019s Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I\u2019ve always found traffic circles to be confusing. That wouldn\u2019t be at all surprising if you knew me. My special gift is getting lost. I\u00a0can get lost in the most familiar places; places I\u2019ve visited over and over. It\u2019s probably one of the reasons I chose the human equivalent of a GPS as my life partner. He and I and our 7-year-old son moved from Michigan to Hilton Head less than 3 months ago, in May 2021. Along with all the usual trials that come with moving to a new place, Hilton Head Island presented a particularly confusing new normal for me, The Sea Pines Circle. For those of you unfamiliar with this \u201ctraffic circle\u201d or \u201cround-a-bout\u201d, Sea Pines Circle can be a bit overwhelming. The good news is, with a little guidance and a few quick tips, you\u2019ll be navigating this infrastructural phenomenon like a pro in no time. Understanding this 4-exit exchange is your all-access pass to this amazing Lowcountry destination. So buckle up!\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\"sea-pines-circle\"<\/a>\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\nFor starters, let\u2019s talk traffic circle rules.<\/strong>\r\n

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  1. When entering the Sea Pines Circle from any of the roads that feed into it, you must do so from the left lane. If you\u2019re in the right lane, you\u2019ll have to turn right when you reach the circle.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. You must yield to all traffic in the circle when entering. Drivers in the circle always have the right of way.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Signal when exiting. Traffic will flow more easily through the circle if people waiting to enter know that others are going to exit.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. If you miss your exit, don\u2019t worry. Just take another lap around the circle until you reach your desired destination road.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. \"screen-shot-2021-08-27-at-11-55-52-am\"\u00a0Once you\u2019ve mastered the rules of the circle, your options are plentiful. Whether you\u2019re trying to get to the beach, looking for your resort, hoping to enjoy some of the many island activities, or just making a quick grocery run, chances are, you\u2019re going to encounter the Sea Pines Circle. Knowing which exit leads to which destination will be helpful. Let\u2019s break it down.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nGrocery Shopping on Hilton Head Island<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of options for picking up essentials on the island.\u00a0\u00a0Harris Teeter<\/strong>\u00a0is accessible from the Pope Avenue\/Coligny Beach exit.\u00a0 Looking for\u00a0Publix<\/strong>? Take the Palmetto Bay Road\/Cross Island Parkway exit.\u00a0Whole Foods<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Fresh Market<\/strong>\u00a0can be reached via William Hilton Parkway (Highway 278), as can\u00a0Kroger<\/strong>\u00a0and others.\u00a0The Piggly Wiggly, where I\u2019m told you can get the BEST fresh, locally caught seafood, is in Coligny Plaza, accessible from the Pope Avenue exit.\r\n\r\n\r\nHilton Head Island Beaches<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>\r\n
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    \r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re headed to\u00a0Coligny Beach<\/strong>, take the Pope Avenue exit toward the south end of the island.\u00a0\u00a0Shipyard\"beach\"<\/a> Beach<\/strong>\u00a0Access is reached via William Hilton Parkway, as are\u00a0Singleton Beach, Folly Field Beach, and Islanders Beach.\u00a0<\/strong>Shipyard Beach Access is inside the gated community, so be sure you have a pass if you\u2019re planning to go there.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBest Restaurants on Hilton Head<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\r\nFor amazing pizza, try\u00a0Local Pie<\/a><\/strong>, accessible from both the Pope Avenue and 278 exits, or\u00a0Mellow Mushroom<\/a><\/strong>, which can be reached from either the Greenwood Avenue\/Sea Pines exit or the Pope Avenue exit.\u00a0 There are multiple seafood options off every exit. We like\u00a0The Sea Shack<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0off Pope Avenue,\u00a0Carolina Crab Company<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>off Palmetto Bay Road, and\u00a0Nick\u2019s Steak & Seafood<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0off William Hilton Parkway just to name a few. If your kids are hangry and you need something FAST, drive through\u00a0McDonald\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0from the William Hilton Parkway exit,\u00a0Five Guys Burgers and Fries<\/strong>\u00a0on Palmetto Bay Road, or\u00a0Zaxby\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0also on William Hilton Parkway.\u00a0\u00a0Hilton Head Diner<\/strong>, a breakfast favorite, is reachable from the William Hilton Parkway exit, and\u00a0Wild Wing Cafe<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a favorite for chicken wing enthusiasts. Get there from the Pope Avenue exit.\r\n\r\nThese are just a few of the many fantastic dining options on Hilton Head. Click here for a more complete list of\u00a0Hilton Head Restaurants.<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n
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    \r\n\r\nFun Things to do on Hilton Head<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf watersports are your thing, exit the circle at Palmetto Bay Road and head to\u00a0One HHI<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0There you can enjoy kayaking, jet\"cross-island\"<\/a> skiing, and paddleboarding or relax during one of their awesome dolphin cruises. For the more adventurous visitors, head on over to\u00a0Island Head Watersports<\/a><\/strong>, by taking the Palmetto Bay Road exit, for an epic Parasailing experience, or take a drive toward Hilton Head Island Airport off William Hilton Parkway to experience the island from the air on a\u00a0Hilton Head Helicopter Tour.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0Take the Sea Pines exit to experience the iconic\u00a0<\/strong>HHI Lighthouse at Harbourtown<\/strong>.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nI\u2019ll admit, with all the options for things to do, I\u2019ve only experienced a few of the amazing island offerings in my 3 short months as a South Carolinian. But suffice it to say, I\u2019m confident there\u2019s something for everyone. I\u00a0 hope these tips for navigating Sea Pines Circle have been helpful. If I, the perpetually lost, can learn my way around, you can too. But if the thought of driving during the HHI busy season still has you feeling anxious, head on over to\u00a0Wheelz of Hilton Head<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to rent bikes for the whole family. With over 60 miles of bike trails, you can easily hang up the car keys for a week and experience Hilton Head from a new perspective.\u00a0 (editing to add: my colleague and I hopped on a couple of Wheelz bikes and peddled down to The Circle to take some pictures for this article. I hadn\u2019t been on a bike in years, but am happy to report that, despite the blazing HHI summer temperatures, my first experience with the Island on a bike was fantastic. 5 out of 5 stars! Highly recommend it.)\r\n\r\nDid you know that you can purchase tickets for many of these activities for up to 60% off through Hilton Head Guest Services? Call\u00a0(843) 341-2370<\/a>\u00a0or fill out the short form below. One of our local experts will guide you through making the absolute most of your time on Hilton Head. Just for filling out the form, you\u2019ll receive our Mini Island Discount Packet, which includes coupons for some of our favorite restaurants and excursions.\r\n\r\n \r\n\t\t