Hilton Head Island in February

Seafood festivals, Gullah culture, and the sweetest Valentine’s escape on the East Coast

Average High Temp

60° F

Average Low Temp

45° F

Average Water Temp

56° F

Pace of the Island

Relaxed

February on Hilton Head is warmer than most of the East Coast and far cheaper than a Caribbean escape. Afternoons regularly climb into the low 60s, the restaurants have settled into their winter rhythms, and two of the island’s best annual events — the Seafood Festival and the Gullah Celebration — make February a surprisingly rich time to visit.

The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival typically takes over in February, celebrating the island’s deep fishing heritage with fresh catches prepared by local chefs. Think shrimp, oysters, crab, and fish prepared in Lowcountry style — straightforward, honest cooking that reflects what the water actually gives you here. It is one of the more genuinely local events on the calendar.

The Gullah Celebration continues through February with a full calendar of art exhibits, sunset cruises, traditional cooking demonstrations, and musical performances. Valentine’s Day week draws couples to the island for its combination of quiet beaches, good restaurants, and the kind of uncrowded romance that peak season makes impossible.

Events & Festivals

These events recur annually. Exact dates shift year to year — check local event listings before your visit for current schedules.

Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival — fresh local catches, Lowcountry cooking, chef demonstrations and tastings
Gullah Celebration (continues through February) — art exhibits, sunset cruises, music, storytelling, traditional Gullah cuisine
Valentine’s Day weekend events — special menus at restaurants across the island; many properties offer packages

Best Activities This Month

Golf — still excellent rates and open tee times; weather increasingly ideal through the month
Dolphin cruises — resident pods are active and the boats have plenty of room in the off-season
Fishing charters — winter fishing for red drum and trout is excellent in the Lowcountry waters
Bike riding — mornings are cool and crisp; the forest paths in Sea Pines are beautiful in February light
Coastal Discovery Museum — great indoor option for cooler days with rotating exhibits and natural history
Harbour Town — the marina area is peaceful and photogenic in winter without summer’s crowds
Savannah day trip — February is one of the best months to visit; azaleas begin blooming and crowds are thin •
Bluffton Old Town — 15 minutes inland, a genuine Lowcountry village with galleries, restaurants, and a farmers market
Kayaking — the marshes are stunning in winter and wildlife is often more visible without foliage
Oyster roasts — peak oyster season; many local spots and private events throughout the month