the beach it across the main road, through a private community. it is about 1-2 miles. you need to ride to get to it. though the beach (sand and water) is public, the entry is private. it is only for the guest of Disney and the Palmetto Dunes Guest, who park to the left of the beach house. Disney has a private beach house with pool, bathrooms, and snack bar. It is a very nice beach house. it also has an underground parking for about 10 cars. I have noticed though that some cast members and palmetto dunes residents are using those spaces. I wish they would put card entry gates under there. HHI is a very wide beach. even at high tide, it is a long walk to the water.