Grab 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 25^th 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!

What’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 5^th 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!

Also, at Shelter Cove Harbour are a variety of musical performances, including Shannon Tanner who will kick off the 25^th 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 :-).

When 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!

There’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!

Coming down to Hilton Head Island for spring break or the RBC Heritage tournament? We’ve got a fun outdoor concert series for all ages that Hilton Head vacationers and locals can enjoy every week on Thursday nights. Starting Thursday, April 4 through May 23, Music on the Harbour will host live entertainment on Thursdays at Shelter Cove Harbour.

Each Thursday from 6:00-9:00 p.m., a local band will perform an outdoor concert for free around the King Neptune statue. It’s a great opportunity to gather your family and friends and head over to Shelter Cove Harbour for dinner, live entertainment and lovely harbour views and sunsets.

Shelter Cove Harbour offers a range of delicious Hilton Head restaurants, ranging from Italian and Mexican to gourmet and seafood. The restaurants offer fabulous views of Broad Creek, and during Music on the Harbour, the sun will be setting for an even better view of the beautiful boats and marshes! Shelter Cove restaurants will be offering drink specials during the event as well, so hang around after dinner for a drink or two along the water.

Shelter Cove Harbour also offers plenty of shopping, ranging from art galleries and children’s apparel to souvenirs and jewelry. Shelter Cove Harbour is also home to Hilton Head Island’s largest deep water marina with 170 boat slips and charters for nature cruises, dolphin cruises, sport crabbing and fishing.

Here is the complete line-up for Music on the Harbour with each band performing from 6:00-9:00 p.m.:

• April 4 – Target the Band
• April 11 – Patwa
• April 18 – The Headliners
• April 25 – Jazz Corner Quintet Featuring Bob Marsteller and Gina Rene
• May 2 - Target the Band
• May 9 – Patwa
• May 16 – The Headliners
• May 23 - Jazz Corner Quintet Featuring Bob Marsteller and Gina Rene

Shelter Cove also hosted Music on the Harbour last fall to packed crowds. Take a look at this fun video of the fall concert series:

Music on the Harbour is just the start to a busy entertainment season at Shelter Cove Harbour. The annual HarbourFest kicks off with performances from our much beloved Shannon Tanner, celebrating his 25^th year, May 24-26 with two shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Shannon will perform Monday-Friday through Labor Day at Shelter Cove Harbour. Fireworks kick off Tuesday, June 18 at dusk and will continue on a Tuesday night schedule during the summer with a special show on Thursday, July 4.

Need help with your Hilton Head accommodations or want to golf, play tennis, rent bikes and more? Palmetto Dunes is your source for Hilton Head fun! Give us a call at 866-744-7558 and we’ll get you set with a Hilton Head vacation rental and all the activities you could imagine!

It’s a busy week at Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza, the Hilton Head restaurant at Palmetto Dunes located conveniently at our Robert Trent Jones South Carolina golf course. Through Feb. 2, we’re participating in the Hilton Head Island Chamber Restaurant Week with a special  “prix-fixe” (price fixed) menu, and we’ll be offering a variety of party-to-go or dine in specials for Super Bowl Sunday.

Hilton Head Island Chamber Restaurant Week is held each year on the island to encourage both locals and visitors to sample restaurants in the area. Participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus of several courses usually for a discounted price.

Big Jim’s will be offering a $16.99 restaurant week menu that includes a cup of soup or house salad; pulled pork, smoked BBQ chicken or smoked beef brisket platter; and a draft beer, glass of house wine or house cocktail. Big Jim’s has happy hour daily from 4-7 p.m. and a new outdoor fire pit for warming up on colder evenings. The restaurant serves a variety of menu items, including a burgers, sandwiches, grilled pizzas, seafood, steaks and salads. There is also a kid’s menu and a selection of wine and beer.

Several Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants will also be participating in Hilton Head Restaurant Week, including ELA’s Blu Water Grille and Bistro 17. To see the full list of participating Hilton Head restaurants, visit the Hilton Head Island Chamber Restaurant Week website.

Big Jim’s will also be going all out for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Whether you’re rooting for the Ravens or the 49ers, you can watch on Big Jim’s eight big screen TVs and enjoy a variety of Super Bowl food and drink specials.

We’ll have a full BBQ buffet from 5 p.m. through the third quarter with pulled pork or chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, pizza buffet and chips and dip for every table. There will be $2 Bud Light pints and $10 bottomless mimosas, as well as Happy Hour prices on house wine and liquor.

Prefer to watch the big game at home? Take home some grub from Big Jim’s! Our To-Go specials include pulled pork or chicken, ribs, coleslaw and baked beans. You can also order a Party Platter with sliders of pulled pork or chicken, Angus beef or fried chicken. Call us at 843-785-1165 to order.

Also in celebration of the Super Bowl, we’re offering a buy one round, get one free golf special. Book your Hilton Head tee time online through Feb. 3 using code Super2013 to get the deal. We’ve also got sales in our Hilton Head golf pro shops, including 20% off all non-sale merchandise and 10% off all sale items, plus Titleist Pro VI for $39.96/dozen.

Join us at Big Jim’s soon!

Finding the right holiday gift for every person in your life can be more than a little stressful! But when you come shopping in Hilton Head, you’re likely to find some unique gift items to both surprise and delight your family and friends. To help you with your holiday shopping, we’ve compiled some of our favorite gift ideas from around our famous South Carolina resort and neighboring Shelter Cove Harbour.

For the golfer:

• Our newest  golf club at the Robert Trent Jones course pro shop is the Ping-Anser Club, which lets you change the loft and turn the trajectory to 8 ½, 9 ½ or 10 ½. The pro shop offers a variety of other clubs from Cleveland to Nike for men and women of all skill levels.
• For a steal, try the DryJoy women’s golf shoes, which are on closeout for $80. Enjoy the lace-free hassle of these shoes that let you, tighten or loosen the shoe for maximum comfort.
• We’ve got some new items from Travis Mathew, Bubba Watson’s golf line of choice, including pants, short and long sleeve shirts, wind shirts and thermals, which are very popular this time of year.
• Everyone loves Southern Tide! We have a broad selection of Southern Tide casual golf wear for keeping you looking good off the course, too.

For the tennis player:

• Everyone is coming in to our Hilton Head tennis pro shop asking for our Life is Tennis totes and sling-style racquet bags this year! They are priced at $78.99 and come in some really fun and lovely styles, colors and prints.
• We have new wrist bands from Unleashed! that are stylish and popular among tennis players. The bandscome in varying prints and have terry fabric on the inside that we love! Priced at just $17.99, this would make a great tennis stocking stuffer.
• Check out our DeFeet Dura Gloves, which are multi-season gloves perfect for cold weather play. They have a nylon nonslip palm grip and are available in neon yellow, black, light pink and a bright pink with the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the interior. These are priced at $15.99 and also make a great stocking stuffer.
• If you’re shopping for kids who love tennis, try our new Lucky in Love tennis apparel line for kids, which offers cute camis, leggings, tanks and shorties.

For the outdoor enthusiast:

• Hilton Head Outfitters is having a 20% off bike sale through the holidays on new Jamis bike and Hampton Beach Cruisers. These are perfect for casual rides around the resort and come in a variety of fun colors like daiquiri blue, cantaloupe, kiwi and lemonade.

For an artistic or unique gift:

• Head across the road from the resort to the Shelter Cove Harbour Waterfront Shops and stop by Nash Gallery. The longtime Hilton Head art gallery features all North-American artists with a variety of unique art pieces and décor for the home.
• 
  
  Christmas on the Harbour, our year-round Christmas shop at Shelter Cove, features ornaments of every kind and handcrafted ornaments from Jim Shore. Christmas on the Harbour also has a variety of collegiate Christmas items. For the fisherman:
  
  

• While you’re at Shelter Cove, make a stop by the Ship’s Store and ask for Shipmaster Dave. He can “hook” you up with the perfect gift for a fisherman, like a new Guy Harvey shirt or a pair of polarized Costa Del Mar sunglasses. Both items are 20% off through the holidays.

For anyone:

• Got some folks on your list you don’t know how to classify, much less know what to buy for them? That’s why we have the Palmetto Dunes gift card! If they like Hilton Head, they’ll find something great to do with the gift card, whether it’s golf lessons, tennis court time, dinner at Big Jim’s restaurant or Hilton Head bike rentals. Our gift cards are good at most locations throughout the resort.
• A vacation to Palmetto Dunes! Why not surprise your family with a Hilton Head vacation? We promise their jaws will drop on Christmas Day! Call our vacation planners at (866) 744-7558 to get your surprise all set up. Mum’s the word J.

Here are more holiday deals at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour. If you can’t make it in person to shop, feel free to give us a call at 866-744-7558 and we’ll be happy to ship.

How far along are you on your holiday gift list? Will any of these golf gifts, tennis gifts or other ideas make your list? Happy shopping!

Take a break from the cold and snow and head down south for your Thanksgiving Day festivities. Imagine, a sunrise walk before you start cooking and a post-dinner bike ride under mossy oak trees after dinner.

Palmetto Dunes offers a variety of ways to celebrate Turkey Day at the beach whether you’d like to do the cooking or leave it up to us.

Guests of Palmetto Dunes can literally have Thanksgiving at the beach at the oceanfront Dunes House. The restaurant will be offering a buffet from 11 a.m-5 p.m. featuring sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole; turkey , lamb and round of beef as entrees; and pumpkin pie, pecan pie, ginger snap bread pudding and double chocolate cookies for dessert. The buffet is $27.95 per person, $13.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are required by calling (843) 686-9623. See the complete menu.

Our new Big Jim’s restaurant at the Robert Trent Jones course, which opened earlier this year, will also be open on Thanksgiving. Reservations are not required and they’ll be offering traditional Thanksgiving plated dinners with all your favorites. The cost for Big Jim’s is $18.95 per person or $9.95 for kids 12 and younger. Those with large parties should call ahead of time to ensure there is space. Call (843) 785-1165.

If you’d prefer to hang out at your Hilton Head vacation home inside Palmetto Dunes, but would rather leave the cooking to someone else, we’ve got you covered! Let us bring you a gourmet Thanksgiving to go ready on Thanksgiving Day starting at 11 a.m. at Big Jim’s restaurant. Be sure you have your order in by Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. by calling 843-686-9623. Our to-go dinner includes roast turkey and top round of beef, stuffing, mashed potatoes; choice of three sides among collard greens, mac & cheese, green bean casserole or squash casserole; and pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert. Complete menu. $15/person, minimum 2-person order.

Be sure to rent your bikes ahead of time to ensure they’re ready to go for your Turkey Day bike ride to burn off a few calories. Call Hilton Head Outfitters at 866-380-1783 to reserve your bike rentals.

Hilton Head offers plenty of Black Friday shopping if you’re looking for some deals. Head across the street to Shelter Cove for specials all weekend. Many of the stores are offering 20% and higher sales, and restaurants will have food and drink specials, as well. See the complete list of sales and deals.

Santa will also make an appearance at the statue of Neptune Nov. 23 from Noon- 3 p.m., arriving on a firetruck no less!  The first 200 kids get a free Santa pin and there will also be a bounce house to burn off some of that holiday energy. Shelter Cove will also have live music from Target Band from 1-4 p.m. on Black Friday.

Come spend your Thanksgiving in Hilton Head at Palmetto Dunes. We promise it will be a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget! Call us at (866) 744-7558 to book your stay today.

A long weekend is on the horizon (Yay!). And we can’t think of a better way to spend your days off than on a Labor Day golf getaway to Palmetto Dunes!

Here’s a rundown of the things you can do at this ever popular South Carolina golf resort, including plenty of golf but some other Hilton Head activities, as well:

Tee Time
The Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament kicks off Friday Aug. 31, 2012 at our famed Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, one of our three world-class golf courses. Since 1979, the annual event has raised more than $3.8 million for well-deserving children’s charities of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Celebrities at this year’s tournament include actors Richard Schiff of The West Wing and Brian Baumgartner, Kevin from The Office; TV personalities Paul Goodloe of the Weather Channel and Holly Sonders of Golf Channel’s Morning Drive; numerous professional athletes and plenty of South Carolina favorites including Bobby Cremins; and George Rogers, NFL running back, University of South Carolina graduate and 1980 Heisman Trophy winner. 

While you won’t be able to play the Jones course Friday (it will be closed for the tournament), you can certainly go and enjoy the festivities! Or you could plan to play one (or both) of the other golf courses at Palmetto Dunes: the George Fazio Course (called the most challenging course in Hilton Head) and the Arthur Hills Course (with 10 holes on the water!). Of course, the Jones course will be back open on Saturday and Sunday. 

We also have a special deal right now on Saturday that you can take advantage of while in town. If you book a tee time after 11 a.m. you get half off resort rates if you use code SSSPECIAL12 and book your tee time online here.

Boogie Down
While HarbourFest fireworks are over for the season, Shannon Tanner hasn’t gone home yet! Shannon is a family entertainer, who’s been singing and playing music to crowds at Shelter Cove since 1988. Shannon will be performing Friday at 6:30 and 8 p.m. with other live entertainment Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cappy the Clown will be on hand 6-9 p.m. all weekend and there will be lots of other family activities to do, as well. So bring the whole bunch and experience a new family tradition! 

Bike Around Town
Rent a bike from Hilton Head Outfitters, THE place for Hilton Head bike rentals, and explore. Hilton Head Island has more than 50 miles of bike paths that take you beneath live oaks draped with Spanish moss, past creeks and marshes, and close to an assortment of beautiful flowers in bloom. 

What’s going on Labor Day weekend at Palmetto Dunes? As you can see, a lot! In addition to the events above, be sure to check out our event calendar for more information on daily tennis clinics, golf demonstrations and after-hours activities at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort! Enjoy your long weekend!

Shannon Tanner has been rocking Shelter Cove all summer long during HarbourFest. His show has kids and families singing and dancing and is a Hilton Head summer staple. But last week, the audience got an unexpected surprise. He was joined by a special guest: musician Edwin McCain!

Tanner’s long-time friend took the stage to perform several songs, including his smash “I’ll Be.” McCain also sang a new song he wrote for his daughter called, “I’ll Take That Long Walk with You.” “It’s so much fun for him to come play,” says Tanner, who has a close relationship with McCain and his family, and played a role in helping McCain get his music career started. Tanner booked McCain’s very first gig at Wild Wing Café on the island! 

Watch the video below to see a sample:


HarbourFest is the signature summer event at Shelter Cove Harbour, held mid-June through mid-August. The family-friendly festival offers nightly fun and entertainment, and the fireworks show every Tuesday night is extremely popular. This is Tanner’s 24^th season playing. He performs Monday-Friday with two shows at 6:30 and 8 p.m. through Labor Day. His show is filled with a variety of children’s and family songs, including lots of sing-a-longs and audience participation. 

“This is a very unique show at Hilton Head,” Tanner says. “I’ve been doing it for 24 years and it’s become an integral part of people’s summer memories. That’s not lost on me or taken lightly. I love what I do and I love that kids I played to years ago are now grown up and bringing their kids to see the show.” 

Ahoy Mateys! 
In addition to enjoying his HarbourFest shows, families can also set sail with Tanner on his Most Excellent Pirate Expedition. The pirate ship sails from Shelter Cove Wednesday and Friday mornings. The morning includes pirate stories, pirate songs and dances, and of course a search for lost pirate treasure. For more information and tickets, please visit www.piratekidzofhiltonhead.com. You can also visit (and “Like”) the Pirate Expedition Facebook page. 

Shannon Tanner App 
Just because you have to get back to reality after your vacation, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the songs of summer. You can keep up with Tanner’s live performances and new material by downloading the free Shannon Tanner App to your smart phone! 

“I get tons of emails and Facebook posts about people who enjoyed my show,” Tanner says. “With this app, they can listen to songs and watch videos. They can see where I’m performing, and even download some free music.” 

But there’s nothing like seeing Tanner live, so be sure you catch him at HarbourFest before the season ends. The last fireworks show will be Aug. 14, though Tanner and the ever popular Cappy the Clown will continue to perform at Shelter Cove Harbour through Labor Day. View the complete schedule.