The Sea Islands - including Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island, Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Amelia Island, among others, lie off the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Beach vacations on these idyllic southern islands promise coastal beauty, relaxation, and fun but...each island is unique and provides the setting for a different vacation experience.

For example - Kiawah Island is a pristine coastal escape with a lush natural environment and an exquisite five star resort. Perfect for couples, families with young children, and nature lovers!

Hilton Head Island, on the other hand, offers endless attractions and activities in a beautiful island setting for high-energy visitors.

Find out which island is right for you and plan your perfect vacation on Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island, Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, or Amelia Island!

Know before you go! This guide will give you...

• A genuine feel for each island!
• Honest, objective information on what each island has to offer!
• Recommendations - often based on first hand experience - for hotels, restaurants, activities, and more!
• Tips and insights on how to make the most of your trip!
• Off-the-beaten path highlights!
• Recommendations for nearby Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia – spots not-to-be-missed!

My family has vacationed on these islands since I was a child and now they live on Kiawah Island – which gives my husband and I a great excuse to visit often! You'll love these incredible places too...but it's key to find the right island and the right vacation for you and your family!

To get started, here are general tips and terms common to the Sea Islands...

• Hard-packed sand is common to all the beaches on these islands. This makes the beaches great for biking and easy for little walkers!

• Alligators live in the lagoons all over these islands. You're most likely to see them when the air is warmer than the water when they come out on the banks to soak up the sun.

  If you come across one, wonderful – they are amazing to see!

  

  But be smart - these are not animatronics at a theme park – they are very real! Don't get too close, keep children and pets a safe distance away, and NEVER feed the alligators.

  Feeding them makes them aggressive and unafraid of people, leading to a dangerous situation, usually for the alligators which are put down if they are too aggressive. The best way to enjoy them is to stay back and admire these incredible creatures from a distance!

• Loggerhead Turtles, enormous and ancient creatures (some living over 100 years), nest on the beaches of the Sea Islands. The turtles come ashore at night to dig deep holes near the dunes. They lay their eggs there before crawling back into the ocean. The residents of the islands protect and aid the Loggerheads in nesting and hatching. Be sure to learn about these amazing animals during your stay!

• Flora and (yet more) fauna – These islands are renown for their natural beauty. Maritime forests and famous live oaks draped with Spanish moss, along with 'gators, bobcats, egrets, eagles, dolphins, otters, and much more inhabit these islands. The more developed islands will have less of a natural, wild feel but will offer more activities, restaurants, etc. so choose which island suits your interests!

• Gullah is a term you're likely to hear while you're in the Sea Islands. The Gullah are African-Americans whose ancestors originated in Angola, Sierra Leone, and parts of West Africa and who have preserved their heritage, language, culture, arts and crafts through the centuries.

  

  The South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry, including the Sea Islands, make up the only region in America that is home to this rich culture. The history of Gullah people and culture, and how they have survived, is fascinating and well worth exploring during your stay!




• Lowcountry is another term you'll hear in this area. The Lowcountry is the coastal region of southern South Carolina and Georgia, including the Sea Islands. The Lowcountry has its own culture and unique cuisine, which includes dishes such as shrimp, grits, fried okra, collard greens, Hoppin' John and plenty more!

Your vacation time with your loved ones is precious! Make the most of it by learning about Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island, Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Amelia Island before you go.

Already fallen in love with Hilton Head Island or Tybee, or any of the other Sea Islands, and want to make it your home, or at least your home away from home? Check out the real estate section on each island's page for information on settling in on one of these beautiful coastal retreats!

Get a real feel for Hilton Head Island, Kiawah Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Tybee Island and Amelia Island - as well as first-hand recommendations and little known highlights here in Sea-Islands-Vacation.com!