More Boats Than Cars

Second, water was everywhere. I’d been to the beach before, but never an actual island. It seemed like Hilton Head had more boats than my hometown had cars. And even then, I understood that the marinas were the real lifeblood of the community.

On my most recent visit to Hilton Head, my brothers and their wives joined me, while my parents stayed home with the gaggle of grandkids. The tables had turned. But I discovered a few constants remain: From fresh cobia (available only in May and June) to wild shrimp caught in local waters, ordering “market price” from the menu isn’t a bad way to go. Water is everywhere. And each marina celebrates the spirit of the island with its own special style. Explore them, one by one. (View marina map on slide 11.)

photo: Sunset cruises allow encounters with the local landscape, from million-dollar mansions to untouched islets.

NextHarbour Town: The Classic