Hilton Head Living

It’s no secret that the economy in the Lowcountry thrives on tourism. But, a pocket economy has emerged based around small-scale production and manufacturing.

“I have heard it said that an inoculation to the sights and smells of the Carolina Lowcountry is an almost irreversible antidote to the charms of other landscapes, other alien geographies. You can be moved profoundly by other vistas, by other oceans, by soaring mountain ranges, but you can never be seduced.”

There are more than 50 miles of pathways for walking and hiking on Hilton Head Island, but if you’d like to get off the beaten path, here are a few other places in the Lowcountry for a walk or hike:

The scenario sounds perfect: a nice spot by the water, a cozy chair, perhaps a cold drink in hand. Everything goes according to plan, until three hours pass and no fish seem interesting in your bait and reel. For those fishing novices, it may feel like a waste of time or that there’s something wrong with their technique.

Nearly 50 years ago, a Frenchman named Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne developed parachutes that were intended for towing instead of free falls. During the next decade, this creation underwent numerous alterations by various designers, but it eventually translated into one of the most unique experiences on water: parasailing.

Kayaking on calm water that surrounds Hilton Head Island is not only relaxing, it can be a great adventure, too. And the best part? Kayaking is a sport for everyone.

“Ability is not a concern,” said Mike Overton, president of Outside Hilton Head, which rents kayaks and other water sports equipment. “If you can walk around the block, you can kayak. This is taking a nature walk through the marsh.”

In many ways, it’s only natural to tour the city of Beaufort from the water. The county, which stretches from the Whale Branch River down to the Savannah River, is awash in water. More than 300 islands, some still unnamed, dot the county.