There are a lot of alligators on Hilton Head Island. You see them near freshwater and brackish lagoons and ponds and on the golf course. They’ve even walked out of the waves on the beach. They are native to the island.

The average female is about 8 feet long. The average male is about 11 feet long. Average. Some are REALLY big.  They can be up to 14 feet long and way nearly a thousand pounds.

Fortunately, alligators are naturally timid. They will walk or swim away if you get close. But, use common sense. I could not find a single story on-line of someone being killed by an alligator, but I did find pets killed.

“The Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) state alligator expert tells News 2 there are no recorded deaths due to alligator attacks in South Carolina. And in the past 100 years, there are less than 20 reports of an alligator biting a human.”
Mayci McLeod WCBD News 2 June 22, 2016

Alligators are cold blooded. If it is cold, they dig down into the mud and hibernate. When it is warm, they may be laying in the sun.

Alligators look very slow, but they are not. Never approach closer than 60 feet. Don’t swim where you see alligators. Don’t try to play that golf ball…

Do not feed alligators.

It’s illegal for a good reason. A fed alligator is a dead alligator. If you feed alligators, they lose their fear and they will have to be killed.

Safe Up-close Alligator Encounter

Do you want to get closer to alligators? If you want to see alligators and get some great photos, take a tour.

Alligator and Wildlife Tour in Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

Get close to Hilton Head’s indigenous plant and animal life including the Native American alligator. See alligators and other Hilton Head wildlife doing what they do naturally while you travel safely in our 12 passenger electric boat. Our alligator tours are narrated by an experienced Lowcountry tour guide, who will tell you all of the alligator’s secrets.

Alligator Tour 843-671-4386

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