Palmetto Dunes

Calling All Parrotheads: Parrot Palooza Island Sunset Celebration New to Shelter Cove Harbour This Summer

Hilton Head live musicGrab your margarita, your Hawaiian shirt and get ready to eat your cheeseburger in paradise. Shelter Cove Harbour is debuting a new island sunset celebration this summer to give families, visitors and locals alike a new way to enjoy the summer season on Hilton Head Island.

Parrot Palooza will be on Fridays throughout the summer beginning June 21 and running through Aug. 16. Starting at 5 p.m., the festival will kick off at King Neptune Statue at Shelter Cove with street performers, entertainers, music, food, drinks, Caribbean-style décor and of course, a relaxed state of mind!

At 7 p.m., Shannon Tanner, known for his beloved performances at HarbourFest, now in its 25th year, will take the stage with the Oyster Reefers, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. They’ll let you dance the night away to island-style music while the sun sets behind them along the harbour.

Amidst the palm trees, parrots and margaritas decorating the area, Shelter Cove restaurants will also get into the spirit with island-themed drinks and other specials.

So if you’re looking for a fun new way to party down on Fridays with the family, look no further than Parrot Palooza. It will definitely be 5 o’clock at Shelter Cove every week at the celebration. Then enjoy all the Harbour has to offer like boutique shops, delicious restaurants, gorgeous views and more.

What do you think about Parrot Palooza? Will you join us? Hope to see you there!

Enjoy a Week of Tennis at Hilton Head’s Palmetto Dunes

Hilton Head tennisTennis lovers, we’ve got the place for you to have a wonderful beach vacation and get plenty of tennis time, too. Recently featured in the July/August issue of Tennis Magazine, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center has plenty of activities to fill your week with as much tennis as you want.

Here’s a sampling of what a week-long vacation could be a tennis aficionado:

Saturday
Arrive Saturday evening, enjoy dinner at Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza at the Robert Trent Jones golf course and head to bed to get an early start on your Sunday.

Sunday
Head over to one of our 26 tennis courts to enjoy your 2 hours of complimentary tennis court time that comes with every booked accommodation at Palmetto Dunes.

Take in a round of golf at one of our three championship Hilton Head golf courses to add a little variety to your Hilton Head tennis vacation.

Monday
Try our Daily Drill Clinic focused on the stroke of the day. 10-11 a.m.

Enjoy our weekly Happy Hour at 5:30 p.m. to mix and mingle with other guests here for the week, enjoy cocktails and meet our tennis pros who will perform an exhibition match on center court.

Tuesday
Enjoy lunch at the beachfront Dunes House, open to resort guests. Try a fish taco or Caesar salad with a margarita!

Head over to the Tennis Center for Demo Days to try the latest in racquet technology and see how a new racquet could help your game. 2 p.m.

Wednesday
Give Cardio Tennis a try. Play tennis to music and burns lots of calories. 8-9 a.m.

Join in our daily Tennis Round Robin from 3-4 p.m. Be sure to call and reserve your spot, as we require at least 3 players to hold the event.

Thursday
Now that you’ve had a couple days of clinics under your belt, try our Competitive Edge Drills for immediate to advanced players. These morning sessions are exhilarating fast-paced practice with a purpose. 11-12:30 p.m.

Take part in our Serve Clinic today, which emphasizes stroke production of the serve, spin, placement and power. 3:30-4:40 p.m.

Friday
Scheduled a ½ hour or one hour private or semi-private lesson with one of our tennis pros for a session tailored to your skills.

Our Return of Serve Clinic uses a serving machine to help you practice your return of serve. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Saturday
Stop by our 1800-square-foot tennis pro shop and pick up some tennis souvenirs from your Hilton Head vacation.

Book your tennis vacation at Palmetto Dunes for next year and head home safely!

For a complete list of summer tennis clinics, lessons and other activities, view our Tennis Schedule.

What would the ideal tennis vacation look like to you? We offer a variety of tennis packages that combine accommodations with clinics and lessons to give you the best deal on your beach vacation. Take a look at our Tennis Stay & Play Package or our Extreme Tennis Vacation or give us a call at 866-744-7558 for a customized package for your group. 

Learn Golf as a Family in Hilton Head

Hilton Head Golf School for FamiliesWhen you vacation to Hilton Head as a family, there are lots of activities you can do together from swimming and riding bikes to hanging out at the beach and seeing the sights. But here at Palmetto Dunes, we like to see families get active together and we offer a variety of ways to do that, including our Hilton Head Family Golf School.

Perhaps Mom and Dad could use a few tips to improve their golf game while the kids may just be getting started on their golfing career. Whatever level your family, we’ll tailor our golf school to your needs and skill level. Our own head of golf instruction, Doug Weaver, is great with kids and teaches them moves like “closing the car door” and “alligator arms” to help them learn golf in a fun and engaging way.

Watch Doug teach golf to kids in this fun video:



Our Family Golf School spans three days with two hours of private lessons daily. That gives you plenty of time to do lots of other fun Hilton Head activities in addition to learning golf.

The golf school includes a video analysis sent by email, on-course instruction, rules and etiquette lessons, use of the school’s video lending library, take home materials, lunch daily, free range privileges plus 9 holes of golf daily on a space-available basis, and 25% discount on all rentals, such as bikes, kayaks and canoes, from Hilton Head Outfitters.

Our golf school is limited to five participants and immediate family members only.

We can’t wait to see how your family looks on the course after Family Golf School! To sign up for our program, please give us a call at 866-744-7558.

Summer Style on the Golf Course

Summer is almost here and that means there will be lots of people out playing our three championship Hilton Head golf courses! Not only do you want to have a great game, but you want to look fabulous and have the latest and greatest equipment to boot. We’ve picked three of the hottest summer golf items that have just arrived in our Palmetto Dunes golf pro shops to share with you:

Men’s Oakley Golf Apparel
Oakley men's golfThis is a new golf apparel line for us here at Palmetto Dunes and we just received our first shipment in May. Oakley is popular with lots of golf pros like Bubba Watson, Ricky Barnes and Zach Johnson, and we think our customers will like it, too. Oakley says their aim is to blend bright colors with intricate detail and a broad array of materials.  Come into one of our Hilton Head golf pro shops, try on some items and see what you think!

9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel
Of course, we want our ladies to look just as good as the gents on the golf course and that’s why we carry the 9 & Dine brand of women’s golf apparel. This line, made in the USA, was created out of a desire for fashion, comfort and convenience and we think it succeeds! It’s been described as clothing that can transition from the golf course straight to cocktail hour – a win-win. 9 & Dine’s collections were created to give women golf clothes they’ll love to wear, on the golf course and beyond. Here’s a fun video featuring the 9 & Dine founder:



Taylormade RBZ-2 Fairway Woods Golf Clubs
TaylorMade golf club Looking for some new golf clubs? Need a great Father’s Day gift! May we suggest the new Taylormade RBZ-2 Fairway Woods clubs? The second generation of the Rocketballz fairway woods brings an improved speed pocket design and a low, forward CG location to produce a fairway wood that is up to 10 yards longer than last year’s fairway wood revolution.  Come try these during a free club fitting with Rod Thompson at the Robert Trent Jones course range and see how you like them! To make an appointment, please call us 843-686-9137. Come see the difference properly-fitted equipment can make in your game.

What new golf gear are you looking for this year? It’s likely one of our three golf pro shops has it! Stop by and browse a while next time you’re in town or give us a call directly at 866-744-7558 to see if we have what you need in stock.

Be sure to check out all of our summer Hilton Head golf clinics, schools and classes, Hilton Head golf packages and play some rounds with us this summer. Have a great summer golf season!

Memorial Day Weekend in Hilton Head Packed with Events

Hilton Head Art FestivalWhat’s your family doing this Memorial Day? May we suggest a visit to Hilton Head? We’ve got a host of different events all weekend that will appeal to a variety of interests.

Shelter Cove Harbour will once again host the annual Hilton Head Art Fest, now in its 5th year, which gives art lovers and novices alike the chance to browse art in a variety of media in the wonderful outdoor setting of Shelter Cove.

On Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Hilton Head vacationers and locals can visit the free arts and crafts market to see artwork from some 150 fine artists nationwide. Shoppers will find watercolor, jewelry, oils, ceramics, glass, photography and even life-size sculptures! Can you imagine taking home something akin to the famous King Neptune statue at Shelter Cove?

The artists at the festival are hand selected from hundreds of applicants to ensure an extensive variety of items that will appeal to a broad range of art enthusiasts, collectors and those looking for unique gifts. We can’t think of anything more amazing than taking back a work of art as a souvenir of your Hilton Head vacation!

Hilton Head kids activitiesAlso, at Shelter Cove Harbour are a variety of musical performances, including Shannon Tanner who will kick off the 25th annual HarbourFest on May 24. He’ll play Friday-Sunday at both 6:30 and 8 p.m., entertaining crowds with his beloved kid-friendly songs like “My Hair Had a Party Last Night.”

During the day on both Saturday and Sunday, Shelter Cove Harbour will host the Patwa reggae band, a local favorite and perfect for setting a laid-back island mood. Grab a margarita at San Miguel’s Mexican restaurant and you’re set!

If your group wants to get more active, why not enroll in our Family Golf School, which is designed to fit a family’s needs and skill level or try our 90-minute Hilton Head surf school and learn how to catch a wave in no time. We’ll also be hosting adult tennis round robins over the weekend or try our new guided stand up paddleboarding tours of our 11-mile lagoon or the ocean for tailored paddleboarding guidance and a lesson on the flora and fauna of Hilton Head.

What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend? We hope they involve Hilton Head! If they don’t, go ahead and visit our Hilton Head web cams and pretend like you’re here :-).

Hilton Head’s HarbourFest Celebrates 25th Year

Hilton Head HarbourFest It’s hard to believe, but Hilton Head Island’s favorite summer tradition is now celebrating its 25th year! That means our beloved Shannon Tanner, who performs family-friendly music at HarbourFest in his trademark beanie hat, has seen kids come back with their own kids decades later. He even sings some of the same songs he’s been singing since the beginning.

This year the phenomenon of HarbourFest is back beginning May 24 with performances from Tanner at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tanner will sing his trademark tunes like “My Hair Had a Party Last Night” and “Flying Purple People Eater” to packed crowds each evening.

Don’t forget to bring your colorful propeller hat and have Tanner sign it for you. Some fans have hats with messages from Tanner on every panel inside and out – all inspirational thoughts to motivate kids. “Every summer HarbourFest is now a rock concert with thousands upon thousands of people. It has a life of its own now!” says Tanner.

Cappy the Clown will also be at Shelter Cove Harbour as part of HarbourFest this year to entertain and bring smiles to the faces of kids and kids at heart. Other fun activities include face painting, balloon animals, bounce house and arts and crafts. You won’t lack for fun at HarbourFest!

When many people think of HarbourFest, they think of Hilton Head fireworks lighting up the sky over Broad Creek. Fireworks are a cherished Hilton Head tradition, and this year they’ll delight on most summer Tuesday evenings at dusk. Scheduled dates include: June 18 & 25; July 4, 9, 16, 23 & 30; and August 6 & 13. Keep in mind the fireworks are weather permitting and that includes allowing time beforehand to get the show set up. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages if there’s rain in the forecast for live updates.

“Fireworks are a magical thing for families, especially in a setting as beautiful as Shelter Cove Harbour,” says Tanner.

For a unique view of the fireworks, consider taking a guided kayak tour or boat cruise, which operate out of Shelter Cove Harbour.

Never been to HarbourFest or want to relive the memories? Watch our video from HarbourFest 2012. 

Shelter Cove Harbour is also adding a new family-friendly show to the summer line-up for 2013. Parrot Palooza is an island-themed sunset celebration, featuring street performers, entertainment and food and drinks starting at 5 p.m. followed by a 5-piece Jimmy Buffet Tribute concert put together by Tanner. Shannon Tanner and the Oyster Reefers  will perform Friday nights from 7-9 p.m. Parrot Palooza will be Friday evenings on the following dates during the summer: June 21 & 28; July 5, 12, 19 & 26; and August 2, 9 & 16.

We hope to see you at Shelter Cove in your beanie hat this summer!

Palmetto Dunes Once Again Named to Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the World

Hilton Head tennis centerWith some 30,000 people coming through the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center each year, it’s certain that tennis is near and dear to our hearts here at our South Carolina resort. Once again, our wonderful tennis guests have ranked us as tops when it comes to tennis resorts not just around the country but across the world.

TennisResortsOnline.com, a website which annually compiles guest rankings of tennis resorts, just released their Top 100 Tennis Resorts and Camps for 2013. Tennis vacationers are asked to score the resorts on amenities and services – both on court and off – quality of lodging, restaurants, children’s experiences and value. To qualify, each resort must have a minimum 25 reviews to be considered for the Top 10 and must have a minimum 6 tennis courts (we have 25).

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort came in at No. 9 in the rankings’ Top 25 resorts, putting us into the Gold Medal Category. Additionally, we were ranked at No. 4 for the Best Junior Tennis programs. Tennis Magazine has also ranked Palmetto Dunes the No. 1 tennis resort in the Carolinas and one of the top 10 in the nation.

At Palmetto Dunes, we love tennis players! We offer all sorts of activities, tennis instructional programs and tournaments to keep you coming back. During the spring and summer season, we offer weekly Demo Days for trying new tennis equipment, as well as a weekly exhibition and Happy Hour to hang out with the staff, watch them play and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. We also have a popular daily adult round robin that makes for a fun social competition among guests.

If you’re looking to better your tennis game, we host 43 adult tennis clinics every week and 27 junior clinics March-August and during holidays. Guests can also select up to 6 ½ hours of instructional programming each day from our regular schedule. “This offers a lot of flexibility for people depending on their schedule – they can play as much or as little as they want,” says John Kerr, director of tennis for Palmetto Dunes. “For example, they can do our morning clinics from 8-12:30 p.m. and then come back in the afternoon for the daily round robin.”

If you want to combine tennis with your Hilton Head vacation, we offer packages specifically geared toward tennis players, including the Extreme Tennis Vacation with 7 nights of accommodations for four, three 1-hour private lessons and two clinics per player, daily court time and more. Another popular choice is the Tennis Stay & Play package with 3 nights of accommodations, two 1-hour clinics, two hours of court time daily and three-day bike rentals.

You can also make a tennis vacation out of our nine different tennis tournaments each year, including 3 USTA state championships. Many people plan their vacations around these events, many of which are linked to charity and most are open to the public and are non-USTA sanctioned.

Come see for yourself why Palmetto Dunes is one of the Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the world! Want a quote on a tennis vacation? Request it here or call us at 866-744-7558.

Take a Tour of Frozen Drinks at Hilton Head’s Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove

Hilton Head margaritaWhen the warm weather rolls around, we think one of the best activities to enjoy on Hilton Head Island is sipping a frozen drink at the beach. We thought we’d take you on a tour of the best frozen drinks throughout Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour.

Let’s get started!

Intercoastal Martini from Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers and Pizza Restaurant at the Robert Trent Jones course
This delicious cocktail includes Reposado 100% de Agave Tequila, Grand Marnier, Trip Sec and Sour Mix. Go ahead and lick your lips and let us know if you’d like salt or no salt! If this martini, doesn’t suit you, Big Jim’s has 21 more to choose from! Check out their summer martini menu for 2013 and be sure to stop by Big Jim’s on Mondays for $5 martinis.

The Dunes House Frozen Arnie Palmer
Resort guests are welcome to dine at the oceanfront Dunes House and choose from a selection of frozen drinks to cool down in the Carolina sun. One of our favorites is the Frozen Arnie Palmer, made especially for all you golfers out there! Sip this mixture of Firefly Sweet Tea-flavored vodka and lemonade. 

Banana Daiquiri at the Buoy Bar at the Omni Resort
Made with Cruzan Estate Light Rum, this daiquiri is tropically flavored with banana. You can also choose from mango or strawberry flavoring. Enjoy your drink while taking in fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and letting your hair blow in the sea breeze.

Italian Ice at Frosty’s Italian Ice, Shelter Cove Harbour
Looking for something non-alcoholic? Everyone can enjoy a tasty Italian Ice from Frosty’s in Shelter Cove. Choose from a range of flavors and add in a chunk of fudge while you’re at it!

Gold Margarita from San Miguel’s in Shelter Cove Harbour
San Miguel’s Hilton Head restaurant bills themselves as having the island’s best margarita, so go test it out! Try their award-winning Gold Margarita, which they describe as a sweeter margarita. It’s made with Cuervo Gold Tequila, sweet & sour mix, a touch of Triple Sec, orange juice and lime juice. Then, it’s all hand shaken together at the bar and served up to you!

Did we get you in the mood to sip a frozen concoction at the beach?! Why not sample them all and report back on your favorite? Cheers!

Tour the Best Appetizers at Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove Harbour

Hilton Head restaurantWhen you’re on vacation, eating great food is half the fun! At Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour, we have plenty of wonderful places to dine whether you’re looking for a casual stop on the beach or a gourmet meal overlooking the water.

This week, we wanted to share some of the best Hilton Head appetizers from around Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove.

Dunes House Chicken Nachos
Take a break from the beach or ride your bike over to the oceanfront Dunes House within the resort. Our appetizer pick from this fun outdoor restaurant is their Chicken Nachos. Indulge in tortilla chips smothered in grilled chicken, queso, black bean relish and jalapenos. Sour cream and salsa is served on the side. Tip: Get plenty of napkins!

Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza Sliders
At Big Jim’s restaurant, located at the Robert Trent Jones course, try the sliders. It’s the perfect appetizer to share with a group of buddies! Choose from three smoked pulled pork or smoked chicken sliders with cole slaw and pickle OR three Angus beef sliders with smoked onion and pickle.

San Miguel’s Guacamole Dip - Shelter Cove Harbour
This is one of the best guacamole dips on the island complete with fresh avocados blended with tomatoes, onions and spices and served with their flour tortilla chips. Enjoy the view, a  margarita and chips and guac!

HH Prime’s Shrimp & Grits (Omni Hotel at Palmetto Dunes)
You can’t come to the Lowcountry without eating shrimp and grits -- it’s a Southern staple! HH Prime, located within the Omni Hotel at Palmetto Dunes, offers a plate full of jumbo shrimp and grits made with smoked cheddar cheese, tasso ham and sherry butter sauce. Delicious!

Ela’s Blu Water Grille, Shelter Cove Harbour – Mama’s Fried Green Tomatoes
Another Southern must-have is fried green tomatoes! Get your fill at Ela’s Blu Water Grille, a Shelter Cove restaurant with a fantastic view. Your tomatoes will come lightly fried and crispy and served with Creole sauce, the owner’s family tradition.

Alexander’s Seafood Restaurant & Wine Bar’s Oysters
If you’re a visitor to the island, you may not have been exposed to the joy of eating oysters! We consider it a delicacy down south. Alexander’s, located within the gates of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, offers North American cold water oysters on the half shell in half dozen or a full dozen. You can also try their Oyster Baked Oyster Combination of three Rockefeller oysters topped with bacon, spinach and hollandaise sauce and three Savannah oysters topped with shrimp, crab, scallops, bacon and cheddar cheese. This dish will make anyone a fan of oysters!

Which dish sounds the best to you? Which appetizer are you dying to try? We hope you enjoy dining at Palmetto Dunes and Hilton Head when you visit us this spring and summer. Bon Appetit!

Live Music Abounds at Hilton Head’s Shelter Cove

live music Hilton HeadThere’s lots of reasons to visit Shelter Cove Harbour on Hilton Head Island year round: fabulous views of Broad Creek, a wealth of shopping, a variety of restaurants offering all range of fare, and last but not least, its musical entertainment. We can’t think of a better spot on the island to sip a cold drink, listen to live music and watch the sun set over the harbour!

Throughout Shelter Cove Harbour there are many different opportunities to enjoy live entertainment all throughout the week, especially during the spring and summer seasons. During April and May, Shelter Cove Harbour is hosting Music on the Harbour from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays featuring a different musical act each week at the Statue of Neptune. Check out the full schedule.

San Miguel’s, a great place to order a margarita and munch some yummy fish tacos, offers live entertainment seven nights a week from 5-9:30 p.m. during the summer months. Plan on a wait at this hot spot but use your time to shop or stroll the boardwalk.

Bistro 17 is a French restaurant, offering crepes, seafood, steaks and salads. They also have a puppy menu if you’d like to bring your pooch along! Bistro 17 will offer live entertainment Monday-Saturday from 6- 9 p.m. this summer.

Ela’s Blu Water Grille is popular among locals, tourists and celebrities alike! Both Paula Abdul and Jane Seymour have dined at this gourmet restaurant when visiting the island. Ela’s, known for its fantastic view, will be hosting musical acts Tuesdays, and Thursday-Saturday from 7-10 p.m.

Scott’s Fish Market is a great spot for more casual fare and great views of Shelter Cove Marina. Their friendly Caribbean atmosphere puts you in the perfect island mood! The restaurant will bring in live entertainment every night from 5:30-9:30 p.m. during the summer months.

Lastly, Parrot Cove Seafood Grill and Bar is another great casual dining restaurant, which serves seafood, pastas, prime rib and sandwiches along with a very kid-friendly menu. Parrot Cove will offer live musical entertainment on weekends from 6-9 p.m.

No matter where you go in Shelter Cove, you’ll easily find a spot to kick back, relax and enjoy some good fare and great tunes. Let us know your favorite spot for live music and food at Shelter Cove!

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