The second-largest barrier island on the Eastern Seaboard, Hilton Head offers more than 12 miles of wide, flat sand beaches, great for walking or biking. Behind the beaches, rolling white dunes are a haven for wildlife, and are especially well-known as a nesting area for sea turtles. Most of the island’s beaches are on the Atlantic Ocean where, just shortly offshore, a sheltering sandbar keeps the waves gentle, creating a tranquil place for swimming or wading. From April to October, water temperatures average 70 degrees. No wonder viewers of cable’s Travel Channel voted Hilton Head Island one of the “Best East Coast Beaches” and “Top Honeymoon Locations.”