Packing for Your Hilton Head Island Vacation: Part 1

 

Planning a beach vacation is always an exciting adventure, but packing can sometimes feel overwhelming. To ensure you have everything you need for a fun and relaxing time on your next visit to Hilton Head, follow our series of tips and tricks and find handy links to stock up on what you need. Lucky for our guests, Beachside Getaway has the experience and know-all for Hilton Head Island and has decades of experience with what guests need and want on vacations. We have compiled a great list of suggested items for you! 

Whether you are traveling by car or by plane, we have essential travel items and some non-essentials, too. When it comes to the pool or the beach, we also have you covered (we will share that in Part 2!) 

Create a Packing List: 

Before you start packing, jot down a list of items you want to bring in each category. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget anything essential. Divide your list into categories: clothing, toiletries, beach gear, and entertainment.

  • Clothing: Bring at least two bathing suits so you always have a dry one. Plan for night-time and daytime outfits, but check to see if your vacation rental unit has a washer and dryer (most all of ours do.) If you’re able to do laundry during your trip, you won’t need to pack as much. 
  • Cover-ups: Lightweight cover-ups are great for transitioning from the beach to lunch. For women, think lightweight dresses. 
  • Lightweight Clothing: Pack sundresses, shorts, and tank tops for warm days. A jean jacket or lightweight jacket is a great idea, even in the hot months, as some restaurants have the air conditioning blasting. 
  • Footwear: Flip-flops for the beach and a pair of sandals for going out. We love these casual sandals that will also pass for acceptable footwear in many restaurants! 
  • A Hat: Don’t forget the beach hat
  • Toiletries & Personal Care Items: Sunscreen like this one,  aloe vera or a soothing lotion like this one, can help if you get sunburned, and don’t forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, and any other daily essentials. A good sunscreen for your face is also highlighly recommended, like this one here
  • We also recommend insect repellent to keep pesky bugs at bay, especially if you plan on being out in the evening.

Packing Tips

  • Roll Your Clothes: This saves space and helps prevent wrinkles and is a great way to pack any suitcase for car or airline travel!  We also use packing cubes to organize like items and compress for more space. 
  • Pack a Separate Beach Bag: Keep your beach essentials separate for easy access once you arrive. Make sure to include a swimsuit in this bag in case your luggage is lost. 
  • Be sure to leave Room for Souvenirs: If you plan to bring home mementos, leave a little extra space in your luggage.
  • Try these handy spacesaver bags that we found on Amazon! They help pack a lot into a little space. 
  • For those transporting your bikes to HHI, consider investing in a Bike Rack like this trusty one. 
  • You also might want to invest in this handy over the car storage that allows you to increase your capacity in the car by removing the clutter of suitcases above. 

Getting Here and Staying Entertained on a Road trip (By Car)

Hilton Head Island is accessible by car via I-95 in South Carolina and off exit 8.  From there, you take highway 278 straight to Hilton Head.  Staying entertained during a road trip can make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination….. okay, that’s not true, Hilton Head Island is way more fun than the car ride.  

But one effective way to pass the time is by creating a road trip playlist filled with your favorite songs and sing-along classics that everyone can enjoy. Audiobooks and podcasts are also fantastic options, providing engaging stories or interesting discussions that can captivate listeners of all ages. For those traveling with family, playing classic car games, such as "I Spy" or the "License Plate Game," can spark laughter and friendly competition. To go truly old school, don’t forget your Mad Libs! Additionally, keeping a travel journal to document your adventures or sharing fun facts about the places you pass can add an educational twist to the journey.  You will need to stay charged up, so don’t forget this Multi-charging cable

With a little preparation, you can turn the car ride into a memorable part of your road trip experience! Beachside Getaway has done our fair share of road trips and here are our recommended products. 

Getting here and Staying Entertained on a Plane (Flying to HHI) 

Hilton Head is accessible by two airports, Hilton Head Island (Code HHH) and Hilton Head-Savannah (Code SAV).  Always check airfare into both airports and you may be surprised to find that airfares vary greatly on different days and airlines! For keeping yourself entertained on your flight, may we recommend a few items: 

Next time, we will share more packing recommendations on what to bring to your next Hilton Head Island vacation in other categories. 

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