Hilton Head Island in October

Rare cars, Gullah food festivals, world-class golf, and the most beautiful light the island produces all year.

Average High Temp

74° F

Average Low Temp

62° F

Average Water Temp

74° F

Pace of the Island

Relaxed

October on Hilton Head is a genuinely extraordinary month that most visitors never consider. The water is still 74 degrees — perfectly swimmable. The air has lost summer’s intensity without becoming cold. Golf is at its absolute best. And the island hosts two of its most distinctive annual events: the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance, and the Fish and Grits Music Festival.

The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance is one of the premier automotive events in the country, drawing over 200 rare and pre-1974 vehicles for judging, exhibition, and a series of surrounding events including an Aero Expo and a Rolls-Royce Owners Club meet. The Concours d’Elegance is the centerpiece — 75 judges selecting Best in Show from vehicles that represent the pinnacle of automotive history and craftsmanship.

The Fish and Grits Music Festival is a Gullah Geechee celebration combining traditional food — fish, grits, and Lowcountry staples — with live music and cultural performances that connect visitors to the living heritage of the region’s original communities. October also marks the opening of oyster season and the beginning of the Crescendo Arts Festival, a month-long celebration of theater, visual art, music, and dance.

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 Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance (late October/early November) — 200+ rare pre-1974 vehicles; one of the country’s premier automotive events
Fish and Grits Music Festival — Gullah Geechee food and music festival celebrating Lowcountry culinary heritage
Crescendo Arts Festival begins (October-November) — month-long celebration of theater, visual art, music, dance, and literature
Oyster season opens — Lowcountry oyster roast season begins; a genuine local tradition

Best Activities This Month

Golf — most locals consider October the single best month for golf; perfect temperature, dry conditions, uncrowded courses
Swimming — water remains at 74°F; completely comfortable for swimming through the month
Biking — October mornings on the trail network are among the most beautiful of the year
Bird watching — fall migration peaks in October; Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is outstanding
Fishing charters — October inshore fishing is exceptional; redfish are in prime condition
Kayaking — fall foliage along the marsh edges is visible; conditions are ideal and calm
Concours d’Elegance events — several surrounding events throughout the week for automotive enthusiasts
Crescendo Arts Festival — theater, concerts, gallery openings, and hands-on arts experiences across the island
Oyster roasts — the season’s first roasts are a local rite of passage; look for community events
Bluffton Old Town day trip — October is ideal for wandering the galleries and riverfront of this Lowcountry gem