Is Hilton Head too cold in March?

[Dizneydawn]

Hi,
We are thinking of booking a trip to the beach at Disney's HH in mid March and am wondering how the weather is. On line I have found it say it only has a high of 68 degrees. Not sure of anyone elses experience at that time of year there.

My kids are older and we are from MN so we wear shorts when most people in the south are in parkas!

I know there is a lot to do in the area besides the beach as well so please sell me on why it is a great thought.

Or tell me I am nuts for thinking it is a great thought.

Thanks,
Dawn

 

[graceesmom]

March is a crap shoot along the coast in SC. It could be anywhere from 50's to 80's within a couple of days time. However, we certainly consider March full spring time. We live in Charleston (about 1 1/2 hours north along the coast), we don't ever put our shorts away. We've been known to be out on the boat or at the beach any month of the year. January is known to be our coldest month and by March we have consisently warm days (70's-low 80's) with a sprinkling of cool days. This year has been ridiculously cold by our standards. though. So who knows what we're in for this year in March.

 

[hstrickland]

Hmmmm....like the pp said, ya never know. We go to the beach frequently at Hilton Head. Our home is only 45 minutes away, but I can honestly say that I've never laid on the beach in March...a little too chilly for me. Even if it's 75 degrees, the beach will be windy and cool. The cold snap we have had in the last few weeks is unusual....the high was 40 degrees today and the low tonight will be 19...really cold for us. Who knows if the trend will continue??

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I would not do HH in March if you are expecting to do much swimming in the ocean. Water will be very chilly in March and like pp said, weather is really a crap shoot that time of year. I am sure the pool will be fine as it is heated.

We were in Myrtle Beach 2 years ago at the end of April and it was too cool to thoroughly enjoy. The hotel we stayed at(Hilton) did NOT have heated pools--UGH!--, the ocean was quite chilly still, and even worse--it was jellyfish season so they were everywhere. At least it wasn't crowded and we had good luck finding seashells

 

[graceesmom]

I agree on the ocean swimming. The water temp. is way too cold for me in March. Although children (including my own child), teenagers and travellers from much farther north can be caught in the water when I would never consider it.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Thanks for the information. If it would be in the 70's we would be happy and like some said, DHH has a heated pool to enjoy. We would get a 2 bedroom and have room to play games, hang out and eat meals etc. in the room if rainy etc.

For those who have been there and are from the area, would you please give me some ideas on what you would do besides the beach.

We were at HH this summer literally for less than 5 hours driving through on the way to Ashville, NC. I loved what I saw but need some research and who better to be honest and give plenty of good advice than you guys here!

We also looked at Fort Meyers but could not find anything for 8 people for the price we can get DHH that is the same quality. (We get 40% CM discount at that hotel.) If anyone has any other suggestions, let me know. We had thought about Gulf Shores, AL... but the weather is the same that time as HH is so why not stay nicer and cheaper?

I really do appreciate all the help guys.

Dawn

 

[graceesmom]

Golf, golf, golf and tennis.

Really, HH is a major golf destination, but there's good shopping, excellent restaurants, some great biking trails, spas, etc. You could also take a day trip to Savannah. Charleston and Savannah have more attractions than HH, but HH definitely gives you that I've escaped the real world feel.

I don't know what kinds of things your family is interested in, but I'm sure you can find plenty of things to entertain you.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Golf, golf, golf and tennis.

Really, HH is a major golf destination, but there's good shopping, excellent restaurants, some great biking trails, spas, etc. You could also take a day trip to Savannah. Charleston and Savannah have more attractions than HH, but HH definitely gives you that I've escaped the real world feel.

I don't know what kinds of things your family is interested in, but I'm sure you can find plenty of things to entertain you.

We are not in the tennis or golf crowd - antique stores, biking, sea shell exploring, reading, soccer and football on the beach etc.

How far is Savannah? I know Charleston is about 1 1/2 hours north. Ugh! Like everyone has said - the weather is so screwy this past year tht it is a cr@p shoot on what you will end up with.

My oldest son just transfered to Anderson University in SC so we thought it would be nice to see his place now that he is there and then spend a week at the beach...if we went to Florida we would not spend time at his school. So there is a bit more in it for us to stick with HH.

 

[graceesmom]

You may prefer a vacation in either Charleston or Savannah, especially for antique shopping, historical tours, museums, etc. In either of those cities, you can stay at the beach and be downtown in less than 20 minutes. Or vice versa. Of course we don't have any Disney properties at either location, but you may find rates at nice places comparable or better than Hilton Head.

You could probably get very decent rates for a beach house on Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, or Folly Beach, Kiawah Island (probably a little more expensive and farther from downtown); or Seabrook Island. All of these are the beach islands in Charleston. I'll defer to someone from Savannah about the best places to stay there.

Charleston or Savannah will also be more convenient to Anderson College. HH is decent drive off of the Interstate. Even though as a crow flies, Charleston is pretty close to HH, it takes 1 1/2 to get there because of the way you drive onto HH Island.