The island's most walkable beachfront neighborhood — minutes from Coligny Plaza, with mid-century origins and a relaxed Lowcountry beach-town rhythm.
Forest Beach occupies the southern Atlantic shoreline of Hilton Head Island, flanking the historic Coligny Beach area. Unlike the island's gated plantations, Forest Beach is an open neighborhood — no gate, no resort framework — and that openness is precisely what defines its character.
Divided informally into North Forest Beach and South Forest Beach, the area combines beachfront and second-row single-family homes with a deep inventory of villas and condominiums. The pace is decidedly more beach-town than country-club, and the proximity to Coligny Plaza, Celebration Park, and the public beach at Coligny Circle puts everyday conveniences within walking distance.
The neighborhood has long been popular with short-term vacation rentals, second-home owners, and full-time residents seeking the most pedestrian-friendly section of Hilton Head Island.
The original commercial heart of Hilton Head Island — open-air shops, restaurants, bars, and the iconic Piggly Wiggly grocery anchor.
An outdoor gathering space with a Liberty Oak amphitheater, summer concerts, the Sandbox Children's Museum, and the Coligny Beach pavilion.
The quieter, more residential stretch — favored by second-home buyers and beachfront estate owners. Direct beach access via private boardwalks throughout the neighborhood.
Closer to Coligny and the public beach, with a denser mix of villas and rental inventory — and the highest concentration of walkable dining on the island.
Dozens of public and private beach paths thread through the neighborhood, providing some of the easiest beach access on Hilton Head Island.
Among the only neighborhoods on Hilton Head where day-to-day life — groceries, dining, beach, ice cream, live music — can be lived without a car.
Forest Beach is one of the only beachfront communities on Hilton Head Island that operates outside a gated plantation framework. That distinction shapes everything about the experience here.
No Plantation FeesNo POA dues or amenity assessments beyond standard property taxes — meaning total cost of ownership is often meaningfully lower than comparable gated alternatives.
Strong Rental PerformanceShort-term rental is permitted throughout most of Forest Beach, and the area's walkability and beach access drive consistently strong rental demand year-round.
Diverse InventoryFrom oceanfront estates to one-bedroom villas, Forest Beach has the widest range of beachfront price points anywhere on Hilton Head Island.
Forest Beach offers the following property types:
Forest Beach inventory spans a wider price range than almost any other beachfront submarket on Hilton Head — from compact villas suitable for first-time second-home buyers to renovated oceanfront estates in the multi-million-dollar range. For buyers prioritizing walkability, rental flexibility, or proximity to the social heart of the island, Forest Beach remains the natural choice.
Tyler Stone is a Hilton Head Island native and has spent his career helping clients navigate its most established communities. For a private consultation on buying or selling within Forest Beach, get in touch.
View Forest Beach Listings Contact TylerTyler Stone is a licensed Realtor® in the State of South Carolina, affiliated with Charter One Realty. Information regarding Forest Beach amenities, acreage, and features is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed; prospective buyers should independently verify all material facts. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act and the South Carolina Fair Housing Law, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Equal Housing Opportunity. © Charter One Realty.
286 people live in Forest Beach, where the median age is 63 and the average individual income is $114,312. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Forest Beach, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Snack Bar, Spanish Wells Seafood & Produce, and Energize Personal Training.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 3.59 miles | 10 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.61 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.92 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.93 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.18 miles | 23 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.56 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.01 miles | 16 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.89 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.23 miles | 14 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.91 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.02 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.56 miles | 16 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
Forest Beach has 145 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Forest Beach do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 286 people call Forest Beach home. The population density is 11,329.322 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a luxury property, or investing in Hilton Head Island real estate, Tyler Stone provides expert guidance, local knowledge, and a client-focused approach. From the initial consultation to closing, he ensures a smooth, stress-free experience tailored to your unique goals.
