Forest Beach

Beach was nice — liked that it was very well maintained and thought out. Had never been to Hilton Head before so was surprised that the sand was so packed so far up the beach. It made for a great easy walk on the beach.

I think this is my first time at a SC beach. The beach was clean, and the water was seaweed free. The water wasn’t frigid either. It was on the cooler side so it was perfect after sunbathing.
There is free parking, but it got crowded super quick. Perhaps because it was the Labor Day weekend crowd, and by 11 AM, there wasn’t any parking left. And no worries about the parking being far. Just cross the street and head towards the hotel. The beach is just beyond this point.
The $ 1.25 toll wasn’t fun, but the beach was worth it.

Absolutely the best beach I have found bar none and I have actively searched out better, visiting a few in the“Top 5″. I spend most of my time on South Forest Beach. It is wide, comfortable, spacious, cushioned from development, provides great swimming, fishing, sightseeing, biking, jogging, kite boarding, and anything else, except snorkel and scuba, that a beach can provide. It is clean and natural. It almost makes you forget you are in a resort area. The morning sunrises are spectacular and I have many photographs, some posted, that prove it. If I had to chose one place to spend the rest of my days, this would be it. What else can I say? I visit every opportunity I get.

Beautiful beach. It is well maintained and is regularly patrolled. The slope leading to the water is gradual (but you have to go very far to find deeper water) Would love to return

I’ve gone to this beach many times recently and have enjoyed each one!
You never have to worry about it being overcrowded because there is plenty of space to go to. I always see everyone piled up on one section, while it is the same thing down the beach. People are just there for the location near the Coligny Park entrance, so if you don’t mind a little walk, then you are good.
This beach is also great for bike riding, it’s high and low tides create flat, moist and sturdy sand that the bikes can smoothly ride on. It is great to have a fresh ocean breeze while pedaling down the miles of beach!
For surfing, however, this is not always the best. Right now, the wave report is one to two feet high, not very good for surfing. However, that doesn’t mean that these waves are good for nothing! Boogie-​boarding is great for these kinds of waves at times, and the shallow water even way out in the ocean makes it better! You will be able to go right where the waves are formed and easily, providing a great area for catching waves on your boogie board! Skim boarding is also easy to do, provided the aforementioned moist and flat sand. Happy boarding!
This is a beach that is a must-​see on a vacation to Hilton Head, and is fun for the whole family!

Best public beach on Hilton Head Island. Parking across the road can be tricky, but that’s the only drawback. Once you are on the beach you are set. Beautiful sand, lots of room for everyone. There is a small bathroom/​shower area there plus you can go to the Pool Bar Jim’s bar there at the Marriot resort for drinks etc.
There is a life guard on duty. There is not trash etc on the beach. Just enough wave action when the tide is coming in for the kids to have fun.
This beach does NOT have a resort feel even though the Marriott resort is right there. and it’s definitely NOT a commercialized beach area. It’s just a beach with the basic necessities and that’s what makes it great, in my opinion.

Love this beach. The free parking. Free Wi-​Fi in the rest room/​shower area. Nice beach and just beautiful area.

There are a number of beaches at Hilton Head. This one in particular is apparently the largest of the public beaches, and that is reflected in the parking lot, just across the roundabout from the beach (on the other side of the Holiday Inn).
Even when it is packed, there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out, which is nice. With an even-​sloping beach going into the water, it’s a nice place for the family, and there aren’t the annoying piers that many South Carolina beaches may have. Though Hilton Head has grown a lot, it’s not as annoying busy as Myrtle Beach. That might change in the future, but it hasn’t yet. Check it out if you’re in the area.
As was mentioned to me, also be sure and enjoy the nice treatment of the sand — you get to walk right out onto it via a carpet, without having to deal with sand, very sweet indeed. Restrooms and drink machines at the beach access are a nice bonus as well.