Thursday, May 5, 2016

Islander's Beach


Which beach is best on Hilton Head Island with kids?  My girls and I love to go to Island's Beach off of Folly Field Rd.!
The sign before you enter the beach. 
You will need to bring quarters for the parking.  One reason we love this beach is because of the playground in front of the beach.  While I am getting myself together, the girls can play on the playground.  I can apply their sunscreen, and make sure I have us all packed up and ready to do.  The park is nicely shaded, and you may even see some local wildlife (birds and rabbits).  There are bike racks to park your bikes too!  
The playground

Swings 

The spinner

See-saw
Another great thing about the park is that there is a place to have a picnic too.  Let's be honest, sandy food is not fun.  You can walk down and use the restroom and then play while you eat lunch.  Then you just walk right back to the sunny beach.  The bathrooms are kept clean.  

The boardwalk to the beach is great!  You can look over at all the exciting plants and look for wildlife.  It is fun to see the beach coming into view.  The downside is the long walk to the beach, but the end is worth it! 
The boardwalk when you start walking towards the beach. 

I see the beach!
Another pro to Islander's beach is the mat to the beach.  This is great for strollers, carts, wagons, and wheelchairs.  It goes longer out into the beach.  The less you push or pull on something with wheels through the soft sand, the better! Now you will still have to push or pull a little is the soft sand, but not as bad as other beaches.  Islander's is usually a family beach.  Less teenagers and young adults, and that is great for young kiddos.  This is a great place to be on island time, and just relax.  No busy restaurants or other activities.   The waves and small, and not good for surfing.  
Walking out to the beach.  
While at Islander's beach, one of our favorite things to do is to find sea shells.  If you get there right after high tide, you can find so many shells.  I always pack a ziplioc baggy for the girls to put their shells in.  Once at home, we just put the shells in our garden, but they look great there! 
Some shells to look through.

Now you can also rent the chairs and umbrella from the beach patrol.  You can call ahead, and reserve it.  When you get there, your name is on the chair and you are set to enjoy the day.  You don't have to carry chairs and umbrellas, and you don't have to clean them up.  
Beach patrol set up.

Nice and relaxing!


Before you leave the beach, please make sure to fill in all holes, and throw away your trash.  Sea turtles do nest on the beach, and we do not want to loose a turtle because you forgot to fill in your holes. You might see some sea turtle nest, and they will be marked with stakes and orange flags.  Do not touch or mess with (there is a huge fine, and people will report you).  When you go to leave, back by the bathrooms, there are showers and a hose.  My girls love cleaning up using the hose.  It is quick and easy!  

Cleaning up using the hose.