Here’s what you can — and can’t — take from Hilton Head beaches while visiting, local laws say

Anna Claire Miller
·4 min read
Jeff Williams plays with his children Julia, age 5, and Jude, age 9, in a tidal pool. June 12, 2024.

Hilton Head is packed with gift shops full of beachy keepsakes, but why buy a T-shirt when you can take home a little piece of paradise for free?

With 12 miles of beach space to explore and discover, the number of beach critters and wildlife you may see is endless.

Before you start stuffing your beach bag with shells and sand dollars, here’s the scoop on what you can (and can’t) collect from Hilton Head’s shores.

Sand, Shells & Teeth

If you’re looking to snag a souvenir straight from the beach, sand, shells and teeth are always a reliable go-to.

Guidance on taking sand

If you’re interested in taking sand, just make sure it’s not in an excessive amount that could harm wildlife.

Make sure that if you are digging a hole in the sand, that it’s not more than 12 inches in depth and that you fill it back before you leave.

Guidance on taking shells & teeth

Perhaps one of the most popular beach souvenirs are seashells.

Perfect for visitors, locals and beachgoers of all ages, hunting for seashells is the perfect pastime.

Hilton Head beaches are home to an abundance of gorgeous shell varieties, including:

  • Lettered Olive

  • Branded Tulip

  • Channeled Whelk

  • Atlantic Jackknife

  • Angel wing

  • Atlantic deer cowrie

  • Winged oyster

  • Anomia simplex

  • Conch shells

For a full list of the shells you may find around Hilton Head, click here.

You may also find some beach fossils, like shark teeth or even driftwood, especially if you visit Fish Haul or Mitchelville.

The best time to go shelling is during low tide, when there is more shore to explore.

Before taking any shells, check the shells to be sure that they are not occupied by any kind of crab or other wildlife. If they are, return them to the sea.

“Our main focus is ensuring people don’t negatively interact or harm wildlife,” said Heather Woolwine, spokesperson for the Town of Hilton Head.

Starfish & Sand Dollars

Sand dollars and starfish are relatives and play an important role in the beach ecosystem.

When these creatures burrow in the sand, they bring oxygen to other organisms that live there.

If you find a starfish or a sand dollar at the beach, you can only take them home if it’s already dead.

To identify whether a sand dollar is dead, take a look at its underside. If the small, hairy brown spines (known as its cilia) are still moving, the animal is alive. If you find a live sand dollar, return it to the sea.

To check if a starfish is dead, it will look brittle, discolored or disintegrating. However, some live starfish can wash up on shore and look dead, so you can check to see if the suction cups on their underside are moving to determine if it’s alive. If it is, return it to the water.

How do I know when I can take a starfish or sand dollar?

If the sand dollar is smooth and gray or white, like you would often see in a gift shop, it’s been dead for a while, meaning it’s safe to take.

If a starfish is discolored and brittle, with no moving tentacles or suction cups, it is also safe to take home.

It is the law on Hilton Head beaches to leave living organisms like sand dollars and other beach life organisms alone and not to collect living beach critters; doing so can result in a nasty fine.

What other kind of wildlife will you see on the beach?

  • Shorebirds like sanderlings, willets and plovers

  • Pelicans, gulls, terns and skimmers

  • Ghost crabs that burrow into the sand

  • Cottontail rabbits that live in the dunes

  • Sea turtles from the ocean depths that nest on our beaches

  • Horseshoe crabs

  • Clams

  • Oysters

  • Mollusks

  • Deer

Additional beach regulations

When visiting Hilton Head beaches, here are a few more rules to keep in mind so you can have a safe beach day.

  • Be mindful of the dunes and do not disturb or place items in them

  • No littering; Place litter in the trash and recycling receptacles provided

  • Do not harass or remove any live beach fauna (sea turtles, birds, eggs & etc.)

  • Do not damage dunes, sea oats or other dune flora

For more information on beach regulations and wildlife, visit the Town of Hilton Head Island Beaches webpage.

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