Aerial view from Helicopter over Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, SC

High-flying escapades in and around the Lowcountry

Soar to new heightsUnleash your adventurous side with these high-flying escapades in and around the Lowcountry.

Story by Sheila Paz

Embrace the world of high-flying adventures, and let your inner thrill-seeker roam amidst the beauty of the Lowcountry. Prepare for heart-pounding moments as you soar through the sky, witnessing the world from a breathtaking aerial perspective.


Helicopter tour

Experience the exhilaration as you glide through the sky, the helicopter’s blades cutting through the air with a resounding hum. Witness a breathtaking perspective of Hilton Head, Daufuskie and Tybee islands and downtown Savannah, revealing a whole new world previously unseen — a mesmerizing aerial view that unravels the splendor of these locations. Marvel at the opportunity to encounter dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and manta rays from an elevated vantage point, capturing their presence from above.

Where to go: Hilton Head Helicopter Tours (38 Gateway Circle, flyhhi.com). Starting at $39-$145 per person. 

©Hilton Head Helicopter Tours

Kiteboarding 

Indulging in the exhilarating sport of kiteboarding allows you to experience an adrenaline-fueled adventure and presents an exceptional avenue for attaining a complete full-body workout while basking in the glorious sunshine. As you glide across the water’s surface, propelled by the wind and harnessed to your kite, your muscles are engaged in a symphony of motion. Controlling the kite demands strength and agility from your upper body, particularly your arms, shoulders and core muscles. The continuous adjustments and steering required throughout the session provide an excellent workout for these muscle groups, sculpting and toning them with each movement. Kiteboarding is prohibited in swim zones. 

Great locations: Tower Beach in Sea Pines, South Forest Beach and Folly Field Beach

Where to learn: Georgia Kiteboarding (Tybee Island, georgiakiteboarding.com). $250

Georgia Kiteboarding - Person over the ocean
©Georgia Kiteboarding

Hot-air balloon 

Elevate your experience of flight with the wonder of hot-air balloons. Timeless and unique, these vessels offer a one-of-a-kind sensation. Rather than feeling the wind, you become a part of it, seamlessly gliding through the air without even realizing you’re in motion. While hot-air balloon rides are unavailable in the Lowcountry, a short trip to St. Augustine will satisfy the dreams of floating in a hot-air balloon. If you’re up for a road trip, the third weekend in October in Statesville, North Carolina, is calling. The Carolina Balloon Fest is the event for all things hot-air balloons. 

Where to go: A Hot Air Balloon Ride (St. Augustine, Florida, ahotairballoonride.com). $425

Hot air balloon with reflection in the water with boats in the background
©A Hot Air Balloon Ride

Aerial Adventure

Seeking an exhilarating physical test? Engage in the art of balance, swing, and climb while conquering over 50 obstacles suspended in the sky at Aerial Adventure above Hilton Head Island. Offering an assortment of four tiers of varying difficulty, these elevated rope courses ensure a thrilling experience suitable for individuals aged 5 and above. Partakers can navigate the courses at their own speed and seamlessly transition between difficulty levels, fostering a customizable adventure.

Where to go: Adventure Hilton Head (Broad Creek Marina, myadventurehiltonhead.com). $59 

Person wearing a helmet and harness completing an obstacle course in the air with trees in the background
©Adventure Hilton Head

Parasailing

Parasailing above Hilton Head Island is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of flight with breathtaking coastal views. From your elevated vantage point, you can marvel at the stunning panorama of the island’s pristine beaches, lush greenery and sparkling blue ocean stretching out as far as the eye can see. The tranquility of the surroundings and the adrenaline rush of soaring through the air create a unique sense of bliss. 

Where to go: Sky Pirate Parasail (Broad Creek Marina, skypirateparasail.com, $85), H2O Sports (Harbour Town Yacht Basin, H2Osports.com, $95), Island Head (Broad Creek Marina, islandheadhhi.com, $89) 

Girl and a boy  parasailing - with a yellow parasail that says "Sky Pirate"
©Joyce Harkins

Skydiving

Embark on a daring journey into the vast expanse of the sky with the adventure of skydiving. It is a thrilling experience that pushes the boundaries of your courage and leaves an indelible mark on your soul. The top-rated Jump Georgia skydiving center in Sylvania offers tandem jumps for first-time skydivers, classes for certification and flight options for experienced skydivers. 

Where to go: Jump Georgia (Sylvania, Georgia, jumpgeorgia.com). $159-$219

Two men jumping out of an airplane about to go skydiving
©Jump Georgia

Zipline tour 

Prepare for an adventure as you soar through the sky on seven zip lines, embracing the views of the picturesque Broad Creek. Feel the thrill as you traverse a swinging sky bridge, suspended high above the ground, granting you a unique perspective of the lush surroundings. Ascend a spiral staircase entwined within the towering trees, adding an element of enchantment to your journey. As you reach the summit, anticipation fills the air, setting the stage for the grand finale. Experience an adrenaline-fueled rush like no other as you engage in a heart-pounding 900-foot-long, dual-racing zip. 

Where to go: Adventure Hilton Head (Broad Creek Marina, myadventurehiltonhead.com). $99

A person ziplining with trees below them on Hilton Head Island, SC
©Adventure Hilton Head

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