Hilton Head Island's beach is crucial to both residents and the local economy. To preserve this valuable resource, The Town of Hilton Head Island has planned a beach restoration project for Summer 2025, funded primarily by tourism through the local Beach Preservation Fee.

• The 2025 beach renourishment is expected to be similar to the previous projects in 1990, 1997, 2006 and 2016. 
• The proposed project will include the placement of approximately 2.2 million cubic yards of beach compatible sand from up to four offshore borrow areas along about 46,500 ft of Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound shoreline. 
• This project is part of the Town's ongoing beach management program, with renourishment scheduled every 8 to 10 years, depending on weather and beach conditions.

Impacts on Residents and Visitors

• Construction noise will primarily involve bulldozers shaping the sand as it is deposited. 
• Disruptions at individual properties generally last about three or four days as the renourishment operation progresses. 
• Adjacent property owners, or renters, may experience short-term minor inconveniences.

Sand Placement

The proposed project will include sand placement along five areas of the island shoreline:

• South Beach / South Island - Approximately 750,000 cubic yards of sand along approximately 10,230 feet of the southern Atlantic Ocean shoreline. 
• Central Island - Approximately 700,000 cubic yards along 28,860 feet of Atlantic Ocean shoreline. 
• The Heel - Approximately 500,000 cubic yards of sand along 5,280 feet at the northeast point of the island at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound shoreline. 
• Fish Haul Creek - Approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sand along about 2,130 feet of Port Royal Sound shoreline. 
• Pine Island - Approximately 180,000 cubic yards of beach compatible sand and construction of six rock breakwaters on the Port Royal Sound shoreline of Hilton Head Plantation between Dolphin Head and Pine Island.  

construction process

Sand for the beach nourishment project will be collected from two offshore shoal areas using a hydraulic dredge. Up to 50,000 feet of pipeline will be brought to the island, either by truck or by floating it in on large rafts. The pipeline will be stacked along the shoreline until it’s needed. During construction, some of the pipeline will be placed on the ocean floor to connect the offshore sand sources to the beach, while the rest will be added as work moves along the beach. The dredge will pump a mixture of sand and seawater through the pipeline and onto the beach. The water will flow back into the ocean while the sand settles in place. Bulldozers and other equipment will spread and shape the sand to create the new beach. Construction will run 24 hours a day and is expected to take about six months. Each day, the work will advance about 200 to 300 feet along the shoreline. As work moves forward, 1,000-foot sections of the beach will be temporarily closed to the public for safety. After the sand is placed and roughly leveled, each section of beach will be reopened for public use.

Phase I - port royal (the heel), fish haul, and pine island

• Phase I - Port Royal (the Heel), Fish Haul and Pine Island. 
• Contractor mobilizes in July 2025. 
• Work begins in August 2025 at Pine Island. 
• Work completed November 2025 at The Heel/Port Royal.

Phase II - Central Island, South Island and South Beach.

• Work begins in November 2025 at the north end of Central Island beach.
• Work completed May 2026 at the south end of South Beach.

phase III - Pine Island Breakwater Structures

• To be determined - anticipated in 2026.

Most beachgoers will not notice the construction and Hilton Head Island beaches will remain open. Beach renourishment is a moving work zone process occupying approximately 1,000 feet of the beach meaning only 2 percent of the beach, or about 300 feet, will be renourished each day. Temporary beach access ramps and clear signage will direct beachgoers to open areas of the beach. As soon as an active site is completed, the equipment will move down the beach and the newly renourished section will open. Renourishment replaces sand lost to natural erosion and maintains a wide beach to ensure the health of the shoreline. A wider beach safeguards a natural environment for endangered sea turtles and shore birds, and provides extended storm protection for homes, villas and businesses. It also allows beachgoers to spread out, ride bikes and bask in the sun. Funding for the projected $47.5 million investment in the island’s beaches comes from the Town’s Beach Preservation Fund, which includes a portion of accommodations tax dollars. 

 For more information regarding beach renourishment, please reach out to: communications@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.