Beach renourishment to begin Aug. 6th

The Town of Hilton Head Island will launch its beach renourishment project on Aug. 6th at Fish Haul Beach, marking the start of a multi-phase effort to replenish sand and protect the island’s shoreline.

The $47.5 million initiative, carried out every eight to 10 years, aims to restore areas of beach impacted by erosion and storm damage. Work will begin on the island’s north end at Fish Haul Beach Park, which will be closed to the public for approximately five days starting Aug. 6th, weather permitting.

“It’s a priority to preserve, protect and cherish our beaches — one of our greatest assets,” Mayor Alan Perry said in a statement. “Our island depends on their ongoing vitality.”

The project will unfold in three phases through May 2026, according to the town:
Phase I

• Aug. 6th–15th: Fish Haul area
• Aug. 15th–Sept. 11th: Pine Island
• Sept. 15th–Nov. 13th: Port Royal (The Heel)
Phase II
• Nov. 13th–Feb. 14th: Central Island, including Palmetto Dunes

• Feb. 14th–May 8th: South Island and South Beach
Phase III
• Construction of Pine Island breakwater structures (schedule pending)

Crews from Marinex Construction, Inc., the contractor for the project, have begun mobilizing equipment, including offshore barges and steel pipes that will be used to pump sand from ocean shoals back onto the beach. Work will continue around the clock, with the active work zone moving about 1,000 feet at a time. On average, 300 feet of beach will be under construction each day.

To limit disruptions, the town will provide temporary access ramps and clear signage to help beachgoers safely navigate around work zones. Completed sections will reopen immediately once work is finished.

Environmental safeguards are in place to monitor and protect wildlife, including sea turtles and migratory shorebirds. Consultant teams will oversee operations, and the town has amended its municipal code to restrict dog access near Fish Haul Creek to comply with permit conditions from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The restriction applies only to a small section of the beach adjacent to the creek and does not affect other beach areas.

According to the town, the project supports environmental preservation, storm protection for coastal infrastructure, and improved recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

More information, including schedules, maps, and real-time updates, is available at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beachrenourish2025.