HHI packing and equipment rental questions

[emmababy]

HI there. We are going to HHI in July and staying at my sister's timeshare in Sea Pines. What all should we pack? I have packing for WDW to a science- not HHI!

Also, I found a company that will deliver 2 chairs, umbrella, beach caddy, cooler and floats to our room for $100 for the week. Is that a smart idea? We are a 5 minute walk to the beach. We will only be there Sat-Wed morning, but my sis will be there the whole week.

Any other tips appreciated!

 

[dis-happy]

Where are you actually staying? Just wondering if the 5 min. walk is optimistic. JMHO, but that's a lot of stuff to haul to the beach on a hot and humid day----and you can pick up a couple of beach chairs at Wal-Mart for a lot less.

All you need for HH packing is shorts, bathing suits, hat and sunblock. Easy-peasy! If you want to dress up for dinner bring a sundress but most places are casual.

 

[chum]

I'm for hitting WalMart like dis-happy said.
You may end up leaving some items behind though.
I would add aloe and bug spray to the list.
Go Bucks!

 

[emmababy]

The beach caddy is on wheels, so we will just roll it all. We are staying on Night heron.
We def need an umbrella with little kids and I'm preggers.

How much are chairs at Walmart?

 

[annacali]

We usually stop at the Target that you pass just before you cross over onto the Island and pick up sand toys, sunscreen, diapers etc---all the stuff I didn't want to pack.

We don't usually bring anything to the beach with us except some sand toys ...unless your time share literally opens right onto the beach (and many don't) you will have to haul it all with you there and back. Our beach time is usually spend more in the water, exploring tide pools, walking up and down etc and not sitting, so chairs have just never been needed. The more you bring, the more you have to clean sand off of!

I agree with the above...several swim suits, hat, shorts, flip flops and some sundresses for dinner.

Have fun! We will be there in July too---about my 10th trip. We love it there!

 

[dis-happy]

Still not sure where you're staying. Night Heron Rd. could be a hike, not familiar with Night Heron that looks like a timeshare (different if you were staying on Kiawah though!). Anyway, the folding, lightweight beach chairs at Wal-Mart are about $10-12. You can get an umbrella there too. The tough part is securing it into the sand so it doesn't blow away....one option is a corkscrew thing you can buy that the umbrella slips in to. Altogether you've stll only spent $50.

Rolling coolers sound good but once you hit the dunes/ soft sand you will be lugging it a ways. I'd consider getting a soft sided cooler you can sling over your shoulder. You can always leave your things on the beach, go home for lunch, then come back. Just be sure to pay attention to the tide....it moves fast and covers a lot of ground and you don't want to return to your things washed away.

If you drive to the main beach access (Beach Club) you can park (get there early or go late in the day to park!) and have access to food and beverages there. There are also lifeguards stationed on this part of the beach.

When I was pg. we did the pool in the morning, then I stayed in during the hot part of the day and went to the beach in late afternoon. Much more pleasant as the sun is setting and not so brutally hot.

Oh, of course you'll use sunscreen, but I have to say, I laugh every summer as the days go by. Every Sat. the renters arrive, Sunday they spend at the beach, and on Monday you see people walking around Harbour Town with lots of sunburns! It takes 2 or 3 days of recovery before they can return to the beach. So, think about taking it easy in the sun the first couple of days. (Thursdays are nice because by then people know how to navigate the Sea Pines circle. Then the cycle starts over.)

 

[emmababy]

We are very close to beach. I thought with the caddy- it will hold chairs, towelsn toys and it rolls- so no lugging.

So- would you rent all that stuff or buy it?

 

[MinnieGi]

Packing for HHI is easy - SWIMSUITS!!! (2 to 3 per person)!! During the summers its so hot there we seem to go from the beach to pool most days. Of course a few other summer clothes to go out to dinner would be helpful too. The weather is hot, hot, hot in July.

Our first summer week there four years ago we didn't have any beach stuff, but hit the Wal-Mart on the island and bought two adult beach chairs, two kid beach chairs, umbrella, cooler, boogie boards, sand toys and I don't think we went over $100.00. We now bring it back every summer.

Have fun, HHI is a wonderful place.

 

[RobDoc]

We have wonderful family memories of rented homes on Night Heron in years past. It will be about 6 "rows" from the beach - a fair hike, but very do-able (5-10 minute walk). I'd still limit the amount of stuff you will be transporting depending on the number and ages of those going with you to the beach. The beach in that area is great - much like the beach up near the DVC resort.

Here is a map of the area with Night Heron indicated on the map - Night Heron Lane - Sea Pines - Hilton Head Island

You'll have a great time. That is a nice area near lots of options for dining/shopping/relaxing.

As for packing, HH is a very casual place - bathing suits, shorts and general casual wear is indicated all over the island.

Enjoy!

 

[dis-happy]

Is the caddy one of those rolling basket things with big wheels (like a jogging stroller) on it? If so, those things are cool! And would be terrific for getting all your things to the beach without having to carry. If so, I'd probably spend the $100. just to make things easy for the week.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks everybody! I thought about buying the items, but just more crap to haul and we won't be back for a few years. With a packn play, golf clubs, cooler and suitcases- we'll be pretty full!!

 

[RumpleMom]

I don't know anything about your beach access.

When we go to HHI our beach access is in the Port Royal Plantation. DH gets to the beach by 4:30 PM on our arrival day and rents an umbrella and chairs for the week from the beach concession.

We feel we have enough to carry with towels, sand toys and our lunch that we don't want to carry chairs and an umbrella.

It will cost a little over $100 because there is a tip for the attendents, who set up and take down the umbrellas and chairs each day.

We think the convenience is worth it.

 

[Mfgs]

FYI, there is a Walmart just as comes as come onto the island, right side of highway 278 in the Festival Center. There is also a Publix in there also. Have fun!!!