17 Bittern

Town of Hilton Head Island Beach
Renourishment Project 

Overall schedule updates, temporary closure of
Fish Haul Beach Park announced

Updated as of JANUARY 14, 2026

Start date for Hilton Head Island Beach Renourishment
Project-Phase 1 shifts to mid-August

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (January 14, 2026) – Marinex Construction will begin mobilizing at Fish Haul Beach Park as part of the Town of Hilton Head Island’s beach renourishment project in mid-August. Marinex updated the new start date due to adverse weather and marine conditions affecting the transfer of materials and equipment from a site off the Florida Atlantic coast.

Originally, Marinex was scheduled to start construction at Fish Haul Beach Park off Mitchelville Road on Aug. 6. Instead, mobilization is now scheduled to take place from about Aug. 13 to Sept. 1. Active beach renourishment construction is anticipated to start during the week of Sept. 2 and be completed by the week of Sept. 15 at Fish Haul. It is anticipated that Fish Haul Beach will be closed to the public for approximately five days in early September when the beach fill begins.

This is a 24/7 project.

Despite this temporary delay, survey and pre-construction activities are ongoing, and the project team remains on track to complete the renourishment work in accordance with the contract schedule windows. "As with any project of this magnitude, we anticipate that changes may arise due to various factors. We encourage the public to stay connected with us through social media and our website for any updates regarding the beach renourishment project," said Jeff Netzinger, Director of Engineering and Public Projects for the Town.

The beach renourishment project will occur in three phases, with an anticipated completion date of May 2026. The new anticipated schedule is as follows:

• Phase 1 - Port Royal (the Heel), Fish Haul and Pine Island
  • Complete - Contractor mobilizes in August 2025.
  • Complete - Weeks of August 13, 2025 thru September 17, 2025 - Fish Haul area
  • Complete - Weeks of September 18, 2025 thru October 10, 2025 - Pine Island
  • Complete - Weeks of October 11, 2025 thru October 17, 2025 - Port Royal (The Heel)
• Phase 2 - Central Island, South Island and South Beach
  • Weeks of December 11, 2025 thru March 28, 2026 - Central Island, including beach areas along Palmetto Dunes
  • Weeks of March 28, 2026 thru May 31, 2026 - South Island and South Beach areas .
• Phase 3 - Pine Island Breakwater Structures
  • Weeks of November 1, 2025 thru April 30, 2026

As there are many factors that can impact the project schedule, particularly weather and marine conditions, the public is encouraged to stay updated on the project’s progress—including location schedules, an interactive map, photos, FAQs, and more. More information can be found as follows:

• Town website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beachrenourish2025/

• Town e-subscription: Sign up to get email and text notifications through the Town’s free e-subscription service at hiltonheadislandsc.gov. Click subscribe & select “Beach Renourishment Project Updates” under topic categories.

• Town Facebook: www.facebook.com/townofhhi

For more information or answers to questions regarding beach renourishment, please reach out to communications@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.

“It’s a priority to preserve, protect and cherish our beaches – one of our greatest assets. Our Island depends on their ongoing vitality. The Town’s role is to carry out the community’s collective dedication to this environmental core value through our investment in restoration and maintenance,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “And fortunately, due to the foresight of Town leaders before us and thanks to our millions of visitors, this project is funded through our beach preservation fund and capital improvement program.”

Beach renourishment is a moving work zone that typically progresses at about 1,000 feet per section-just 2% of the Island’s total beach area. On average, only 300 feet of beach will be impacted per day. Temporary beach access ramps and clear signage will help direct beachgoers safely around active work areas to open areas of the beach. As soon as an active site is completed, the equipment will move down the beach and the newly renourished section will open.

Special protection has been made for wildlife that may be impacted because of the project. All work will be supervised by consultant teams under contract to monitor sea turtles and migratory shorebirds. Additionally, per a requirement of the beach renourishment permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Town amended its municipal code to restrict animal/dog activity in an area adjacent to Fish Haul Creek beach park. This requirement protects endangered shorebird species that migrate and nest there. Signage is posted and no other beach areas will be affected. Dogs are still allowed per the Town’s seasonal rules – only a small section of the creek area adjacent to the beach park is restricted.

Marinex Construction, Inc., the contractor for the project, began mobilizing equipment this month in preparation for the work. This includes positioning their offshore barges and staging miles of steel pipes to pump sand from ocean shoals back to beaches. Crews will be working around the clock daily.

The beach renourishment process helps to:

• Preserve a healthy shoreline ecosystem for wildlife such as sea turtles and shorebirds.
• Protect beachfront properties and infrastructure from storms.
• Provide wider, more enjoyable beaches for residents and visitors alike.

The public is encouraged to stay updated on the project’s progress—including location schedules, an interactive map, photos, FAQs, and more. Please:

• Visit the website at https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beachrenourish2025/
• Sign Up: Get email and text notifications through the Town’s free e-subscription service at https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov. Click subscribe & select “Beach Renourishment Project Updates” under topic categories.
• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/townofhhi