December Overview
- High temperature: 63°F (17°C)
- Low temperature: 43°F (6°C)
- Hours daylight/sun: 6 hours
- Water temperature: 54°F (0°C)
During holiday season in December, you will have pleasant highs of 63°F rather than snow in Hilton Head Island. The sun shines for 6 hours each day and it doesn’t rain a lot with only 7 rainy days on average. Really brave visitors might even go for a swim (probably in a wetsuit) in the Atlantic Ocean with its current water temperature of 72°F. Please note that especially at night, temperatures can drop to lows of 43°F - so do bring some warmer gear too!
For anyone looking to be active outside in December, Hilton Head Island is the place to be and has plenty on offer (with the exception of winter sports of course). But also, if you are looking for some relaxation, Hilton Head Island has some fantastic SPAs- so you might want to treat yourself or your loved ones for the holidays! Before and around Christmas there is so much to explore too - from Christmas Wonderland to the Taste of the Season Festival. And what could be more exciting than Christmas on the beach! And on New Year’s Eve some great celebrations will await you including the ones in Harbour Town.
Best Time to Visit Hilton Head Island
You will find stunning weather with little rain in Hilton Head Island at any time of year. Spring and fall are particularly pleasant as you have full on beach vacation conditions and it’s not too hot with temperatures in the high 70s F. It’s also not too busy.
Summer of course is ideal for a beach vacation, especially with children, with air temperatures in the high 80s F and the Atlantic Ocean water temperature of 82°F.
In winter Hilton Head Island has pleasantly mild temperatures with highs in the 60s F- perfect for enjoying all of the great outdoor activities that Hilton Head Island has to offer!
Note: The official hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is on from June to November.
Things to know about Hilton Head Island
GOLF, NATURE AND CYCLING ON THE BEACH Hilton Head Island is a stunningly beautiful island which simply invites you to relax. With over 20 golf courses which are beautifully embedded in the nature, it’s also a paradise for golfers. Houses and shops are aesthetically integrated amongst the vegetation which gives you the feeling of a nice and quiet place rather than a tourist hotspot.
The island offers beautiful, wide, white sand beaches where you will find people sunbathing as well as jogging or cycling. Yes, cycling- that's because the sand close to the water is very hard which allows you to cycle! A very unique and special experience!
Some of the best beaches include the most celebrated and popular Coligny Beach. The Mitchelville Beach (aka Fish Haul Beach Park) is a more secluded and more quiet place. The Driessen Beach on the other hand is where locals often head to in order to escape the tourists during the summer months.
A ferry day trip to the Daufuskie Island is another fantastic way to find some peace and quiet. There are some hundred-year-old Spanish moss oak trees and historic sites to explore.
The most populated part of the island is the southwest. When entering you have to buy a day ticket for $5. You will be able to see some stunning property as well as South Beach and Harbour Town. Here you will find a marina with restaurants and small shops and boutiques. It’s a really pleasant place and from the deckchairs you can watch the world go by.
If you would like to explore some nature you can choose from 2 perfect wildlife refuges.
The Sea Pines Forest Preserve is situated on the southeast of the island and invites you to explore stumpland, diverse forest vegetation, flower fields as well as small lakes. And you will be able to spot one or more alligators as well as all sorts of birds!
The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge lies on the border between the island and the mainland. You should really take some time to explore it - it’s a huge area and ideal for cycling around. In between the forests and fields you will see everything from singing birds and waterbirds to butterflies and dragonflies.
Additionally, you could visit the Coastal Discovery Museum which is also an ideal place to see with children.
