Hilton Head Island is the ideal seashore vacation spot; a charming mix of "Old South" ambiance, luxurious accommodations, hundreds of shops and boutiques, as well as some nationally known stores, over 200 restaurants offering international cuisine to local seafood, all presented in an elegant yet casual, laid-back atmosphere.

Golf and Tennis are the major games of the island; most people are aware of the nationally televised tournament played here every year. In addition to those seen on TV, there are over 30 golf tournaments on or near the island. And there are more than 300 tennis courts and several racquet clubs, 4 of which are in the top 50 nationwide.

Sailing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, fishing, small boat rentals - all the water sports you can imagine - are available at the island's several marinas. And the 12-mile beach awaits for swimming or soaking up the Carolina sun.

The list goes on - riding a bike on the beach or the miles of bike trails, exploring the Sea Pines Forest Preserve on horseback, touring the nearby antebellum cities of Charleston and Savannah, and much more.

Located at the southern end of Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines Plantation is the island's largest and oldest resort. Sea Pines is skirted by five miles of wide sandy beaches and intersected by salt marshes and winding fresh water lagoons.

In Sea Pines: Harbour Town, with its famous candy striped lighthouse and yacht basin, where the Harbour Town Links and Sea Pines Racquet Club are located; and South Beach with its own marina racquet clubs, shops and restaurants all in a quaint fishing village setting.

Conveniently located mid-island, Palmetto Dunes is a magnificent 2,000 acre oceanfront resort named as one of the top 50 resorts in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. Among its special features are convenient access to un-crowded beaches, three challenging golf course, a world-class tennis facility, and 11-mile lagoon system for fishing and boating, as well as dining.

Spanning the beach front from Shipyard to Sea Pines, Forest Beach is the site of Hilton Head Island's early history. Shopping centers, inns, restaurants, homes, and villas all have been added or modernized; but the charm of a bygone era remains in this lovely un-gated community.

Forest Beach attractions: miles of beautiful shoreline, a renowned tennis center, miniature golf and amusements, shopping and churches all within easy walking distance. Shipyard is located between Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes in the midst of the resort oriented southern half of Hilton Head. The homes and villas are built around a challenging 27 hole golf course, and all are a a short distance from the Atlantic Ocean beach, a world class racquet club, and the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel. Shipyard guests have less than a 10 minute ride to almost all of Hilton Head's recreational facilities, restaurants and shopping centers.

Laura Angermeier is a public relations assistant for the SIMS agency. For more information on Hilton Head Island vacation rentals, please visit http://www.vacationcompany.com and http://www.sunsetrentals.com