On Hilton Head Island, the off season is much more pet friendly than the “in” season when it comes to beach fun. Not only does Hilton Head Rentals & Golf have a number of pet friendly properties available year round, but it seems that the rest of the town follows suit when the height of the tourist season slows down. Between September 30th and April 1st (meaning, right now!), the town of Hilton Head will permit you and your dog to enjoy all twelve miles of island beaches together – no leash required. The leash laws return between April and Memorial Day. For now, though, enjoy your freedom! You are still, of course, required to leave the beach the way you found it – which means be sure to pick up any “treasures” man’s best friend tries to leave behind – and the town does require that your pet be under positive voice control. As long as you’ve trained your pet, you shouldn’t have any problems. Leash laws aren’t the only things that are “relaxed” a bit in the cooler weather. Between September 30th and April 1st, the town also lifts all of its time frame and location restrictions on surfboards, boogie boards, Frisbees, organized sports involving balls, stunt kites, and games with metal components. So grab the gang and the dogs and head to the beach for a volleyball competition. Throw on your spring suit and grab your board on the way out the door – even in the cool weather, it’s too early in the season for the water to have become frigid yet. That happens over time. A spring suit will be a substantial enough wetsuit for a while yet.