Hilton Head Nature & Wildlife
Hilton Head WildlifeHilton Head is home to an amazing array of native wildlife including dolphins, turtles, alligators, frogs, birds, and more. The semi-tropical climate, plentiful lakes and marshes, and abundant trees and greenery provide an ideal environment for a variety of year-round and migratory animals. Many of these creatures can be found right on Crowne Plaza's lush 11 acres of oceanfront property. You will find numerous opportunities to view and photograph these animals throughout the island of Hilton Head.
DolphinsWhile visiting Hilton Head Island, you may have the opportunity to witness dolphin strand feeding off the coast. Hilton Head is one of the few places on Earth where this unique behavior can be observed. The island also offers several boat and kayak tours to allow guests a close-up encounter with these amazing animals.
Sea Turtles
Lights Out for Sea Turtles runs May 1 through October 31! In order to protect the future of these fragile creatures, guests and residents are asked to minimize lighting after 10 p.m. near Hilton Head's coastline for the sea turtle's annual nesting and hatching season. During this time, female loggerhead sea turtles come up on the beach to bury as many as 125 eggs in a single nest! Hatchlings use reflected light to guide them to the ocean at night and artificial lighting can confuse them, stranding them and making them vulnerable.
Nature and Forest Preserves
There are a number of nature preserves located throughout Hilton Head's wooded coastline and interior. Popular destinations include the
Audubon Newhall Preserve,
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and nearby
Hunting Island State Park. The
Hilton Head Coastal Discovery Museum also offers a variety of nature programs and displays of regional wildlife.
