A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Marathon vs. Hilton Head Island for Families, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Hilton Head Island, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marathon

Marathon is a quaint, beautiful, and relaxing island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful, resort-filled, and family-friendly coastal town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Marathon and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marathon than Hilton Head Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marathon is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty, while Hilton Head Island is more popular for its shopping. Marathon is well known for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. Also, Marathon is famous for The Dolphin Research Center. Hilton Head Island is well known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Marathon different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilton Head Island and Marathon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Marathon or Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Marathon and Hilton Head Island offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Marathon. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Hilton Head Island. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Marathon is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Marathon. Popular nightlife venues include JJ’s Dog House & Sports Bar, Brass Monkey, and Cabana Club.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, excellent resorts can be found in both Marathon and Hilton Head Island.

Marathon is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marathon is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hilton Head Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Marathon. There are many dive shops around Marathon and the area has dive spots that are great for every level. Some of the best sites are Sombrero Reef, Coffins Patch, and Thunderbolt wreck. There are also many snorkeling trips that head out to Sombrero Reef.

Hilton Head Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Both Marathon and Hilton Head Island have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Marathon. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

The beaches at Hilton Head Island attract visitors from all over. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Is the Shopping Better in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Hilton Head Island. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Marathon is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Hilton Head Island is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Marathon is a very kid-friendly island. Kids will enjoy getting face-to-face with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Families can also explore Pigeon Key or play in the water at Sombrero Beach. Families will find no shortage of activities on the island.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Marathon is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Marathon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful views, 7 Mile Bridge, and plenty of activities, this area makes a romantic destination for couples. There are beaches and waterfront spots that offer a romantic setting for couples.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Marathon or Hilton Head Island offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Marathon. There's no real public transportation in town. A car is essential.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Marathon or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Marathon and Hilton Head Island are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Marathon is generally not a very walkable island. Shops and restaurants and spread out along a central road, making walking difficult to impossible.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

For even more information, also check out Is Marathon Worth Visiting? and Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Marathon?

How long in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Both Marathon and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Marathon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marathon than Hilton Head Island. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Marathon, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

Families should spend more time in Hilton Head Island than Marathon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilton Head Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Marathon than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marathon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marathon than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Marathon.

One day in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Marathon. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal town of Hilton Head Island offers shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Marathon is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the relaxing island of Marathon. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Hilton Head Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Marathon. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marathon has to offer.

Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilton Head Island, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Marathon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Hilton Head Island is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilton Head Island has to offer. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marathon and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marathon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marathon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Marathon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marathon Expensive? and Is Hilton Head Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon and Hilton Head Island, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Hilton Head Island. Most visitors come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marathon is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Hilton Head Island during summer. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Marathon usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Hilton Head Island. The autumn months attract visitors to Marathon because of the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

Marathon is a little warmer than Hilton Head Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the autumn, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun.

Marathon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Marathon usually gets more rain in October than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

Both Hilton Head Island and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Marathon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Hilton Head Island during winter. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marathon usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marathon or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Marathon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marathon is generally a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the spring, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in April than Hilton Head Island. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Marathon