Explore Hilton Head

There's much more to lovebugs than just being annoying little insects that litter the front end of your car twice a year. 🪰

11 Things you might not know about lovebugs - Explore Beaufort SC Most folks just passing through the south will only ever see lovebugs as pesky splatters on the windshields and hoods of their cars.

Beachgoers were in for a surprise when the local shrimp boat, Red Baron, washed ashore on Hilton Head yesterday while experiencing mechanical issues. Operated by the Toomer family in Bluffton, we hope they can get the necessary costly repairs done and get back out on the water very soon. Please support our local shrimpers. 🦐

To help preserve the population, some changes are coming next year to recreational crabbing in South Carolina. 🦀

SCDNR makes changes to blue crab harvesting laws for 2025 - Explore Beaufort SC Due to declining populations, some big changes to blue crab harvesting are coming to South Carolina starting in July of 2025.

With all of the overdevelopment going on, we're happy to see that these 4,400 acres of pristine wetlands will be protected permanently.

4,400 acres of Lowcountry wetlands now protected from future development - Explore Beaufort SC 4,400 acres of Lowcountry wetlands are now protected thanks to a joint effort from the U.S. Navy, OLT, and Nature Conservancy.

When the tide is low, the smell of pluff mud is high in the air. It's a thing...and we just learn to love it. 🤎

Pluff Mud: It's in our souls - Explore Beaufort SC Once you’ve stepped in it and smelled it, pluff mud sticks with you. Who knew that something so icky and so smelly could be so loved.

Seeing a shrimp boat out on the water is pretty special. A much larger industry in years past, sh*****ng has been a big part of the culture in tge for nearly two centuries. 🦐

Lowcountry Life: A history of sh*****ng in Beaufort SC - Explore Beaufort SC America's most valuable and most popular seafood, sh*****ng has been an important part of our culture in South Carolina since before the Civil War.

Most folks say 'no way' when it comes to bees & wasps around the house. But there's a harmless one here in the that is quite beneficial to have around because it eats spiders. 🐝

Mud Daubers: The Lowcountry's misunderstood wasp - Explore Beaufort SC Mud daubers are the scary looking hornet/wasp kind of thing that builds its nests out of 'mud' on the side on your house.

Lots of erosion on our beaches. 🌊⛱️

Lowcountry dolphins are amazing, and strand feeding is one example of their magic. So cool!!!

Lowcountry Life: Strand feeding dolphins - Explore Beaufort SC Strand feeding is serious hunting that requires teamwork, communication and timing...and it testifies to the ingenuity of our local dolphins.

Brought to by the early Gullah some 300 years ago, haint blue painted porch ceilings have been warding off evil spirits (and pesky bugs) in the Lowcountry for centuries.

More than superstition, Haint Blue ceilings are a Beaufort tradition - Explore Beaufort SC For over 300 years locals have been painting their porch ceilings haint blue out of tradition and superstition and you'll see it all over Beaufort today.

Who loves fresh South Carolina peaches? Did you know Georgia calls itself the Peach State, but more peaches come from S.C. than Georgia? 🤦‍♀️🍑

Move over, Georgia: South Carolina produces more peaches than you - Explore Beaufort SC South Carolina ships a whopping 90,000 tons of peaches every year, compared with Georgia’s meager 40,000 tons.

Good morning, sunshine 🌞


📸 Janis Donlan

As August rolls on, sea turtle nests on our local sea island beaches are starting to boil over with hatchlings...and it's a sight to behold. 🐢

A Lowcountry Boil: When sea turtle nests hatch - Explore Beaufort SC When sea turtle nests hatch on our local beaches and the hatchlings pour out of the nest, it's called a sea turtle boil.

Okay, ladies! Don't forget. 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

For many children across the U.S. growing up and watching Nickelodeon in the 1990s, Gullah Gullah Island was their introduction to a vibrant Gullah culture on Beaufort's sea islands. 💕

Then and Now: The story of Gullah Gullah Island - Explore Beaufort SC Gullah Gullah Island ran on Nickelodeon from 1994 until 1998 with Natalie and Ron Daise & was the first cultural children's show of its kind.

Transferred from relative to relative within Gullah families for generations over 150 years, the value of the land is personal, and for many, it is tied to a family’s history, and pride. The land is part of a family’s identity.

Passed through generations, Gullah fight to preserve heirs property - Explore Beaufort SC Thousands of extended families own land that is heirs property on the SC coast, and today's laws make it difficult to keep it in the family.

Everyone loves fresh, sweet South Carolina peaches. They're a taste of summer in the . 🍑

S.C. Peaches: A taste of summer in the Lowcountry - Explore Beaufort SC From roadside stands to supermarkets, S.C. peaches are a sweet taste of summer that we enjoy from early June through September.

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From blankets to stuffing for voodoo dolls and automobile seats, Spanish moss has had a variety of interesting uses over the years. But it's not Spanish...and it's not moss.

Eleven facts you need to know about Spanish Moss - Explore Beaufort SC A large part of the natural beauty of Beaufort and the rest of the South is the silver garland that hangs from our live oak trees.

Take a look up in the night sky during the next couple of weeks, and you might be in for a treat with the annual Perseid meteor shower. ✨️

Annual Perseid meteor shower to invade the sky over Beaufort - Explore Beaufort SC The 2021 Perseid meteor shower has already begun its steady rise to its peak and every night in Beaufort is a good night to see them.

Shore Beach Service confirms a shark bite has been reported in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island. 😲🦈
Info: bit.ly/3SmUwR4

In the past year, more people have moved to South Carolina than any other state in the U.S. We'll bet lots of them came to .

South Carolina was the fastest growing state in the U.S. last year - Explore Beaufort SC South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the U.S. last year and it's not expected to slow down anytime soon.

What is your biggest pet peeve about being in Hilton Head?

Wherever you call home, you're always able to make tasty sea island dishes in your own kitchen with our Lowcountry Recipe guide.
Find your favs 👉 bit.ly/3zAUEps

is the perfect home for bald eagles...and they know it, too. 🦅❤

Bald Eagles: Thriving at home in Beaufort - Explore Beaufort SC In 2017 it was estimated that there are a whopping 69 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Beaufort County...compared to only 5 in 1990. A comeback indeed.

Be sure to protect those pets tomorrow night. The 4th of July can be awful for them. ✨️🐶

Pet safety reminders for the 4th of July holiday - Explore Beaufort SC Pet safety is vital on the 4th of July holiday. Each year, Beaufort County Animal Services gets an influx of 30 to 60 lost dogs and cats.

Did you know that the chances of encountering a shark are rare? And, being attacked or even nipped by any sharks in is even rarer? 🦈

Lowcountry Life: Sharks love Beaufort, too - Explore Beaufort SC The chances of encountering a shark are rare and, being attacked or even nipped by any sharks in Beaufort is even rarer

An undersea nightmare and one of the most creatively violent animals on Earth, the giant mantis shrimp is at home in Beaufort's local waters.😲
Story 👉 bit.ly/3XZ95Mi

📸 Carey Stambaugh