OUTDOOR HAVEN - HILTON HEAD ISLAND

The geographic layout seems somewhat receptive to hiking, if you fancy criss-crossing semi-tropical low country, vast sea marshes, networks of lagoons and creeks separated by forests of moss-draped oaks, magnolias, pines and palmettos, and 12 miles of hard-packed sand beaches.

Get up early in the morning and witness serenity

Enjoy the great outdoors

Guided kayak or canoe tours of the coastal marshes require no previous experience, just listen to the guide's brief instructions on basic paddling strokes, safety and maneuvering in and out of the kayak. Learn about the abundant wildlife, ecology and history of the area from guides as you negotiate the marshes.

Natural surroundings

A birding nature tour takes visitors to observe 250 species of wading, diving and skimming birds. The island's Coastal Discovery Museum on the second floor of the Hilton Head Visitor Center books guided tours, cruises, beach walks and bike outings.

Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge has more than 4,000 acres of salt marsh and small islands, and you can walk on 14 miles of trails to observe wildlife (free admission).

At the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve there's an eco-tour designed as an open-air classroom for great views of deer, wading birds and alligators. If you happen to encounter an alligator that takes up a chase, you can outrun the reptile by getting out of the way in a zig-zag pattern.

A thousand-foot boardwalk and nature trail at the preserve allows visitors to take self-guided tours of a waterfowl pond, vanish swamp land and an old rice dike, or you can try horseback riding.

Daufuskie Island

Tours from several marinas travel to smaller Daufuskie Island, a short distance off Hilton Head's southern tip. The movie "Conrack" is based on Pat Conroy's novel, "The Water is Wide" which reflects the island setting.

A bit of history

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular resort areas in Eastern America. It has come a long way since its discoverer, William Hilton, advertised for settlers in 17th Century London papers. Not connected to the mainland until 1956, the 12-mile island boomed when the bridge was built.

The slave culture in America is commemorated here each February in the month-long Native Island Gullah Celebration. The event is a tribute to the perseverance and strength of the Gullah community. The islanders, descendants of plantation slaves who came from Africa, speak their own language, a combination of broken English and African words.

Isolated from the mainland, they developed a thriving mix of religion, folk tales and superstitions that retained cultural elements of their homeland in Africa. The celebration includes gospel, jazz and film festivals, arts and crafts, historical lecture series and a food expo.

Resort communities

The 12-mile-long barrier island, Hilton Head is 30 miles north of Savannah and 90 miles south of Charleston. Its five main resort communities include Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal Resort, Sea Pines and Shipyard Plantation.

The Disney resort is set amongst the live oak trees and enjoys the gentle breezes of the South Carolina Low Country with its culture centuries old, rich in history and tradition. It's an unspoiled natural setting.

Apart from the upscale resorts, the Main Street Inn operates as the island's sole bed-and-breakfast. Non-overnight guests can be accommodated for spa treatments, afternoon tea or evening dessert.

There are 236 restaurants to satisfy every palate with menus that range from southwestern salsa to seafood and steaks. Golf fans can play at any of the 18 courses, while boating visitors can dock at quaint marinas, and there are hundreds of upscale stores and many shopping centers for that special gift or souvenir.