There are lots of great reasons to try the popular watersport of paddleboarding in Hilton Head. It’s terrific exercise, working many different parts of the body, it’s a lot of fun and it’s a wonderfully peaceful way to see the beauty of Hilton Head Island.

Whether you choose to head out on your paddleboard on your own, with friends or family, or on our new guided paddleboard tours of Hilton Head, you’re sure to see some amazing sites, especially within the 11-mile inland lagoon system, which runs right behind our store and throughout Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

The lagoon is a quiet respite from the busyness of the beach. It’s surrounded by a hardwood maritime forest, which keeps the breezes to a minimum (very helpful when you’re first learning to paddleboard!) and creates a canopy of quiet. Also, only battery powered boats are allowed in the lagoon so as not to harm or scare off our wildlife.

Here are 5 beautiful sites you’ll likely encounter while paddleboarding the lagoon.

1)      Majestic oaks with hanging moss – You may have palm trees on your mind because you’re at the beach, but throughout the lagoon and Palmetto Dunes, you’ll find gorgeous old oaks, with large sweeping branches and hanging moss. The limbs hang over the lagoon with the moss just over your head.

2)      Birds galore – From cranes and the majestic blue heron to pelicans and seagulls, watch these winged creatures as they search for a meal, hang along on the shore or soar in the skies above you.

3)      Otters – Wouldn’t you love to look down and see an otter swimming next to you? These whimsical creatures often swim up into the lagoon and there’s a good chance if you keep your eye out, you might just get to meet one!

4)      Fish, fish and more fish – Our lagoon offers some of the best fishing in the U.S. It’s stocked with all sorts of fish from red fish and tarpon to trout and flounder. They’re all swimming underneath your board as you paddle along!

5)      Alligator – You may not WANT to come across an alligator – and you probably won’t, as they don’t like saltwater and it’s a saltwater lagoon – but they are a wonderful creature to behold. If you do happen upon one, take a good look from a distance but leave them alone and go on about your merry way.

What wildlife have you come across in Hilton Head? What’s your favorite part about our lagoon system? Read more about Hilton Head wildlife in the Palmetto Dunes Fun in the Sun blog.

For more information about renting paddleboards or our new group paddleboard guided tours, visit us at www.hiltonheadoutfitters.com or call us at 866-650-4132.

It may not be June yet, but it sure feels like summer around here! When the weather gets warm, there’s no shortage of activities to entertain visitors to Hilton Head. Of course, around here, we like anything that gets you outdoors, and here’s a sampling of some of our favorite outdoor activities in the summer:

Hit the Waves – It feels great to get in the ocean in the heat and even better to catch a wave! Learn how to surf at our 90-minute Hilton Head surf school held all summer long. Here’s a fun video to get you inspired:

Ride a Bike – Tandem, cruiser, kiddie cart – however you want to ride a bike, we’ll help you do it! We carry hundreds of bikes in our inventory that you can rent during your visit to Hilton Head. We’ve even got fat tire bikes designed for riding on the beach! Text BIKE to 843-627-0007 and you can book your Hilton Head bike rentals via your smartphone!

Stand up Paddleboard – We have a new stand-up paddleboarding (also known as SUP) instructor this summer, who’s ready to teach you this calorie-burning, ab-building popular water sport! Tour our peaceful lagoon by paddleboard or head out to the ocean and see how you do on the waves.

Canoe or Kayak – Another peaceful way to see the beauty of nature in Hilton Head besides SUP is canoeing or kayaking our lagoon. It’s super easy to learn and you can head out with one of our maps on a one- or two-hour lagoon tour. Look for blue herons, egrets and maybe even an otter!

Reel in the Big One – Head out on a Hilton Head fishing charter with our resident fishing expert Captain Trent Malphrus. He knows all the best spots to reel in the big one, be it a redfish, cobia or sheepshead. You’ll likely end up with an impressive photo to post on Facebook of your big catch!

Here’s another great video of all the active adventures you can find in and around Hilton Head:

What’s your favorite outdoor activity in Hilton Head? Let us know if we can help you set it up! Give us a call at 866-650-4132 or visit us at www.hiltonheadoutfitters.com to get started.

Hilton Head Outfitters. You get a great workout while balancing on a paddleboard as you navigate through our 11-mile inland lagoon or through the Atlantic ocean. For some tips on stand up paddleboarding for beginners check out our two blogs: Paddleboarding Basics Part 1 and Paddleboarding Basics Part 2.

We just got in some brand new paddleboards from Surftech Generator in 10 feet x 6 inches and 11 feet by 6 inches. These are very versatile boards that can be used not just for stand up paddleboarding but for light surfing, as well. They’re built for fun and stability while gliding long distances across open water.

If you’re interested in learning how to stand up paddle board, we offer lessons as well as SUP rentals. We’re also introducing this year guided stand up paddle board tours of both our lagoon and the ocean. These are a great option to not only have our instructor watch your technique in person and give you real-time tips, but also a chance to learn about the flora and fauna of Hilton Head. Afterall, half the joy of SUP is the peace and calm it brings as you head out into nature.

We also have a new stand up paddleboarding instructor this year: Perry Hartley. Read more about Perry in our blog.

Want to give SUP a go? Read more about Hilton Head SUP rentals or give us a call anytime at 866-650-4132 to reserve your boards or schedule a lesson.