Ocean Oak > mid July Questions

[Chris-ATX]

Hey All -

We are looking at heading to Hilton Head / Ocean Oak the middle of July. Some of this is to just go and relax, but I also hear the area offers good chartered fishing?

Would we need a car or could we uber from airport and use that wherever? If we get a car, is there a parking fee at Ocean Oak?

Finally, any opinion on this v Myrtle Beach? We've never been to either one, so both would be new for us.

thanks in advance?

 

[Janann]

Are you flying into Savannah? If so, it is 41 miles from the Savannah airport to Ocean Oak. You might be better off renting a car.

I have only been to Hilton Head, so I can't fairly compare it to Myrtle Beach. But my understanding is that Myrtle Beach is heavily geared to young families, with lots of mini-golf, carnival ride attractions, etc. I think Hilton Head is more adult-oriented. I've heard that North Myrtle Beach is quieter.

 

[Hoodwink]

Hi there!
If your primary goal is to relax, I think Hilton Head is the far better choice. I've been to both Myrtle Beach (Ocean Enclave) and Ocean Oak on Hilton Head. Myrtle Beach is far busier and very touristy. Plus you have to check what events are going on in Myrtle Beach. We ended up going during one the bike weeks without realizing it ahead of time. The last 1/2 mile drive to get checked took over an hour because of all the motorcycles cruising the main drag in front of the resort.

We rented a car when we went to HH, but I think an Uber would have been fine. The entire island is only about 12 miles long by about 5 or 6 at the widest point. The airport is less that a 10 mile drive from the resort. You are in the middle of resort row there, so if you want to go out it would be a half mile to several miles to get to restaurants or shopping depending on what you are looking for. If I remember correctly, parking is free and it's mainly under the buildings.

I can't speak for the fishing, but I would image there is quite a bit of opportunity for it in that area. Golfing is huge on HH also (if you are a golfer). One thing I did find a little odd about the area, and maybe it's just because there is nothing like this where I'm from, but there are several areas around Hilton Head Island and outside of Myrtle Beach that have restricted access. Only residents, employees, etc. are allowed in. Some will charge you a fee to come in and others will deny you access altogether. I mention this because we stumbled across them several times just going to a restaraunt. Looking at the area on a map it just looks like any other area with homes. shopping, restraunts, etc but you may not be able to go into that area. I beleive that the ones in Hilton Head were more likely to just charge you for entry, but the ones outside of Myrtle Beach would actually deny access.

 

[HuskerATL]

The last time that we were there, we went on a fishing charter and it wasn't good. They seem to have set spots to go to and they were all fished out...except small ones that we released. Maybe there are others that are better though. I would google and read reviews.

On the car topic, it depends. Do you NEED a car? it depends on what you want to do. Nothing is near OO so you would need to take a bike, which we have done, or drive...or walk. We rent bikes and bike around but the grocery store isn't near so a car would be very helpful, maybe a few days. The place to meet the charter boats would be a drive, uber or rental.

I much prefer HHI to MB...and OO is much much better than the three properties at MB.

Here is who we use for bikes and they will drop them off/pick them up at OO. You can order online and have them waiting for you there when you arrive (in the court yard), https://islandliferentalshhi.com/ .

We go to OO every year and sometimes a couple times per year...much prefer there over MB but we also go to MB.

 

[Janann]

The airport is less that a 10 mile drive from the resort.

Do you mean Hilton Head Island airport? It is served by three airlines, but the service is somewhat limited and more expensive. It just depends on where someone is coming from.

 

[Chris-ATX]

Sorry I wasn't clear. I assume we'd fly into Savanna / Hilton Head airport (code: SAV). Seems like a rental would be a good idea overall, though this would be for a more lower key relaxation than a go-go-go excursion.

Thanks @HuskerATL on the fishing comment. Google says HH is a good fishing, but I'll have to look into it more.

 

[dayooper]

Hey All -

We are looking at heading to Hilton Head / Ocean Oak the middle of July. Some of this is to just go and relax, but I also hear the area offers good chartered fishing?

Would we need a car or could we uber from airport and use that wherever? If we get a car, is there a parking fee at Ocean Oak?

Finally, any opinion on this v Myrtle Beach? We've never been to either one, so both would be new for us.

thanks in advance?

We looked into a charter fishing a few years ago and there were some pretty good reviews, but we never booked. Just don’t have time.

The airport is on Savannah and that’s a good hour away. We always brought cars (2 actually) and we were never charged for parking. HHI is pretty spread out so a car might be worth it.

My family all love HHI and MB, but prefer HHI. If you want a more lively vacation, MB is the way to go. HHI is more upscale and relaxed. The food scene in HHI is amazing.

As far as accommodations go, Enclave in MB is better than OO as they have 3 bedroom units. The grounds are better at OO but the room itself was better at Enclave (at least the 3 bedroom was).

 

[Chris-ATX]

thanks for the feedback everyone!

BTW - the week I thought we were going to get went away, but ended up finding 6/28-7/5, so a bit of a bonus with the July 4 thrown in! I went ahead and booked OO, standard 2 bedroom, which is great for our 4 person family.

 

[Reddart]

That’s great. 4th of July week is one of the busiest weeks there.

 

[dioxide45]

thanks for the feedback everyone!

BTW - the week I thought we were going to get went away, but ended up finding 6/28-7/5, so a bit of a bonus with the July 4 thrown in! I went ahead and booked OO, standard 2 bedroom, which is great for our 4 person family.

Having July 4th thrown in can be a blessing and a curse. Sure, it is prime time, but again it is PRIME time. The roads will be busy, the restaurants will have longer wait times and it will be hotter than blazes and HUMID. Expect to be dripping wet the second you step outside.

 

[elaine]

Google says HH is a good fishing,

East coast fishing in NC/SC can be excellent, but you'd need to look at what's caught during that time of year. We live a bit north of MB and ocean fishing (5+ miles out) in July/Aug is not good--too hot. Inland fishing is OK (from a small boat/barge in rivers/marshes).
We had a timeshare the week you're going for 15 years and loved it. HGVC-HHI is very nice and a great location-have fun. Be sure to rent bikes-lots of great trails, many of which are fairly shaded by live oak trees and a good way to (somewhat) cool down. We used to beach in am, lunch, then bike in afternoon. I'd secure your bikes before you get there, as 4th July week might sell out.

 

[HuskerATL]

plus, if you have not been to HHI before, plan for it to take forever to get to the island from the mainland and then to leave the island. I like to go on Friday's and then leave on Sunday to avoid the Saturday check-in/outs....Saturdays are a mess because that is the primary turnover day for all the properties....especially for the week that you will be going.

 

[Hoodwink]

Do you mean Hilton Head Island airport? It is served by three airlines, but the service is somewhat limited and more expensive. It just depends on where someone is coming from.

Yes, I was referring to the Hilton Head airport right on the Island. I forget that Savanna is usually considered the "primary" airport that services HH.