Community profile · Hilton Head Island
Palmetto Dunes.
Gated community
Palmetto Dunes is a 2,000-acre oceanfront resort community in the center of Hilton Head Island. It has three golf courses, a marina on an 11-mile lagoon system, about three miles of Atlantic beach, and a large tennis center. It is one of the most walkable and amenity-rich communities on the island.
Last updated October 2026 By Kim Striker
Where is Palmetto Dunes located?
Palmetto Dunes sits on the ocean side of the island's central corridor, off US 278 between the Cross Island Parkway and the South Forest Beach area. The main entrances are on Queens Folly Road and Palmetto Dunes Drive.
| Location | Palmetto Dunes sits on the ocean side of the island's central corridor, off US 278 between the Cross Island Parkway and the South Forest Beach area. The main entrances are on Queens Folly Road and Palmetto Dunes Drive. |
| Access | Security-gated at the main entrances. Property owners and residents receive gate credentials; short-term rental guests and visitors are issued passes or check in at the gate. |
| Golf | Three courses: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (oceanfront), George Fazio, and Arthur Hills. |
| Water | Palmetto Dunes Marina on an 11-mile interconnected lagoon system that reaches the Intracoastal Waterway; kayak and paddleboard launch points throughout the community. |
| Beach | Roughly three miles of Atlantic beachfront with multiple public access points. |
| Price range | [VERIFY: current resale price range for Palmetto Dunes homes, villas, and condos] Verify current figure |
| Annual fees | [VERIFY: current Palmetto Dunes property owners assessment and recreation fee] Verify current figure |
What golf is available?
Three courses: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (oceanfront), George Fazio, and Arthur Hills.
What about water access?
Palmetto Dunes Marina on an 11-mile interconnected lagoon system that reaches the Intracoastal Waterway; kayak and paddleboard launch points throughout the community. Roughly three miles of Atlantic beachfront with multiple public access points.
What is the community actually like?
- Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center with 25 courts
- Palmetto Dunes Marina and lagoon system for kayaking and paddleboarding
- Bike paths that connect to the island-wide leisure path network
- Several oceanfront resorts and rental villages inside the gates
- The Arthur Hills course borders the community's lagoon system
What does it cost to live in Palmetto Dunes?
Purchase price
[VERIFY: current resale price range for Palmetto Dunes homes, villas, and condos]
Annual carrying cost
[VERIFY: current Palmetto Dunes property owners assessment and recreation fee]
On top of purchase price, remember property taxes (4% legal-residence assessment after filing Form PD-105), flood and wind insurance, and any club dues or resident fees. Every community updates its budget annually, so ask for the current assessment summary and the latest club dues in writing before making an offer.
Compare Palmetto Dunes with other communities
Return to the overview table, or read the Complete Moving Guide first for the broader relocation picture.
Answers
Palmetto Dunes questions, answered
Is Palmetto Dunes a gated community?
Yes, the residential areas of Palmetto Dunes are behind security gates. The resort hotels and rental properties operate their own guest access at the same entrances.
What golf is available in Palmetto Dunes?
Palmetto Dunes has three resort courses: the Robert Trent Jones Sr. oceanfront course, the George Fazio course, and the Arthur Hills course. All three allow outside play with tee times at published rates.
Does Palmetto Dunes have a marina?
Yes, Palmetto Dunes Marina provides boat slips, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and water access onto the community's lagoon system, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.
What does the Palmetto Dunes annual assessment cover?
The property owners assessment funds road maintenance, security, common landscaping, and community operations. There is also a recreation fee assessed to homes and villas. [VERIFY: current Palmetto Dunes annual assessment and recreation fee]
Is Palmetto Dunes walkable?
More walkable than most island communities. Much of the residential area lies within a short ride of the oceanfront, the tennis center, and the marina, and the community has wide bike lanes and paved leisure paths.
Next step
Want to know if Palmetto Dunes fits your life?
Bring your budget and your priorities to a relocation call, and get an honest read on this community versus the alternatives.