Unofficial Guide to a Banner Beach Day
April 2026 Issue
By Lesley Kyle and Jacie Elizabeth Millen
A beach day is sun-warmed skin, salty hair, and sand that somehow ends up everywhere—but never really bothers you. It’s the sting of a little sunburn that feels like proof of a day well spent, the sound of waves folding onto the shore, and the way everything slows down under the heat. It’s cold drinks, messy towels, sunscreen, and sea salt clinging to your skin, and that lazy, golden feeling of having nowhere to be except right there by the water.
A perfect beach day isn’t about perfection at all—it’s about balance. A little indulgence, a little ease, and just enough planning to make the day feel effortless. From what you pack to your favorite snacks, it’s all about creating a day that feels equal parts carefree and curated—where the only real priority is soaking it all in.
Consider this your unofficial guide to the perfect Lowcountry beach day, set along our part of
the world’s greatest claim to fame.
Beach Bag Snacks
The beach is no place for sad snacks or discipline—it’s for indulgence, sunshine, and a little bit of chaos.
A proper beach bag includes a stacked sub sandwich, cold slices of melon, or a good old-fashioned hot dog with far too many toppings. Toss in a bag of chips (sour cream and onion, if you ask us), maybe some Cheez-its, and your favorite beverage, and now we’re talking. Balance has its place—but not here. You’ve been getting bikini-ready all year—this is your moment to let loose. Your carefree-self will thank you.
Five Favorite Beach Reads
• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
A charming, feel-good story about a romance writer whose perfectly controlled life is turned upside down when real love shows up—
completely off script.
• Beach Read by Emily Henry
A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut find themselves living side-by-side in a beach town—and
unexpectedly rewriting each other’s stories. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really?
• The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe
Three estranged half-sisters reunite at their beloved grandmother’s South Carolina beach house on Sullivan’s Island for one final summer meant to repair their fractured family bonds. As old wounds surface, they reconnect with each other—and themselves—discovering forgiveness, healing, and the enduring pull of family and the sea.
• Just Friends by Haley Pham
This heartwarming and swoon-worthy second chance romance about a childhood friendship rekindling in adulthood, blurring the lines between familiarity, timing, and maybe something more.
• You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate
In this candid and deeply personal memoir, Christina Applegate reflects on life, resilience, and navigating a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis with honesty and strength.
Hunting for Shark Teeth
Fish Haul Beach Park on Port Royal Sound (120 Mitchelville Road, Hilton Head) is widely known as one of the best local spots for shelling and shark tooth hunting. Visit during low tide or after a storm for the best finds, and wear sturdy shoes—you’ll thank yourself later.
Some locals also swear by Palmetto Dunes for hidden treasures along the shore. Like most good things at the beach, finding shark teeth takes patience, a keen eye, and just a little bit of luck. Another favorite spot, and probably the best for finding shells and sharks teeth is Hunting Island. It’s well worth a day trip and we suggests you start at sunrise.
Treasures in the Tide
While Hilton Head may not be famous for abundant shelling, there’s still beauty to be found if you look closely. Oyster, clam, cockle, and olive shells are among the most common treasures scattered along the shoreline. But sometimes you find unexpected treasures like sunglasses, drifted toys, old bottles, or sea glass.
If you leave with a handful of shells, be sure they’ve been fully vacated—hermit crabs are known to claim them as their own. At the very least, you’ll leave with something better than a souvenir: a reason to slow down and notice what’s right in front of you.
Sea Turtle Season
Hilton Head’s Sea Turtle Patrol, Hilton Head’s official organization permitted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, works tirelessly to monitor nesting and hatching activity along our shore.
You can help protect these incredible creatures by removing trash, filling in holes, and flattening sandcastles before leaving the beach—simple acts that make a meaningful difference to the turtles. If you’re visiting after dark, opt for red lights instead of white flashlights, which can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings.
To learn more or get involved, visit seaturtlepatrolhhi.org.
Three Reasons to Catch a Sunrise or Sunset
With miles of coastline, the Lowcountry offers a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the country. The views rarely disappoint regardless if you’re north or south of the Broad.
Beyond their beauty, sunrise and sunset moments help regulate your body’s circadian rhythm, boost your mood, and reduce stress. There’s also something grounding about watching the sky shift colors over the water—a quiet reminder to slow down, breathe deeper, and take it all in.
After Hours Beach Fun
As the sun dips low, the beach takes on a softer kind of magic. Grab your chairs, gather your friends, and form a circle of friends in the sand. Ask everyone to bring their favorite appetizer to share—an effortless, beachy take on a shared table.
Beach circles are perfect for casual book clubs, sunset chats, or simply unwinding to the sound of the waves. If someone brings a guitar, even better. There’s nothing quite like ending a Lowcountry beach day surrounded by the ones you love most, with salt in the air and nowhere else to be.