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Hilton Head residents believe there’s no better place to be, and the readers of a renowned travel magazine agree.

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler, a U.S. luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, voted Hilton Head Island as the best Island in the nation. It’s the 10th year in a row that Hilton Head has received the accolade.

The Town of Hilton Head and the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, the island’s Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for marketing the island to visitors, made social media posts celebrating the win. Here’s how Hilton Head won, and where other South Carolina destinations placed.

How Hilton Head won

Condé Nast Traveler’s reader’s choice awards covers a wide range of destinations, attractions, hotels and more. The magazine’s survey allowed readers to rate candidates on criteria specific to each category. Ratings were on a five point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.

798,867 readers participated in the survey, according to Condé Nast Traveler.

The end result is a percentage which Condé Nast Traveler used to determine the rankings in each category.

The overall results were released on Oct. 6, and Hilton Head Island scored a 96.82, just .49 points higher than Kiawah Island, which took second place.

Below Hilton Head are two other South Carolina islands. Fripp Island, also in Beaufort County, took the 15th spot with a 90.54 and Isle of Palms took the 18th spot with an 89.04. Hilton Head also beat out famous islands in Hawaii, Florida and nearby Georgia’s Tybee Island.

Readers also ranked islands around the world by region, including in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and more. Hilton Head’s rating is the highest of all islands on the lists. Condé Nast Traveler is a U.S.-based magazine, and so some bias may have played a part in that.

South Carolina rankings

Condé Nast Traveler’s readers also ranked the best small cities in the U.S. One South Carolina city won, while another placed high on the list.

Charleston took first place for the fifth year in a row, and Condé Nast Traveler credited its history, culture, food and charm. Greenville made the fourth spot for its growing status as a “world-class destination at the heart of Appalachia,” according to Condé Nast Traveler. Savannah also found a spot at seven.

The first hurricane of 2026 could form this week in the Gulf of Mexico.

The 2026 hurricane season has been historically quiet with no hurricanes forming in the Atlantic so far. The peak of hurricane season falls on Sept. 10, and an average season’s first hurricane forms by August 11. There have only been eight tropical storms this year, and five never made landfall.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) now warns invest 92L, located off the coast of Mexico, will develop into a named storm this week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s GFS weather model suggests the storm could bring heavy rainfall to the Hilton Head area this weekend.

100% chance of development

Invest 92L sits just off the coast of Mexico in the Bay of Campeche and is moving eastward, according to the NHC. It’s slowly becoming organized, and the NHC gives a 100% chance of development within the next 48 hours.

It will be named Isaias when it reaches tropical storm strength with sustained winds of 39 mph or greater.

The gulf’s sea surface temperatures are well above the 79 degrees Fahrenheit required for development, especially in the Bay of Campeche area. After development Isaias is expected to move northward toward the gulf coast and make landfall somewhere between Louisiana and the Florida panhandle this weekend, according to the NHC.

How strong will it be?

The Weather Channel forecasts Isaias to make landfall as a strong tropical storm or low-end hurricane. Wind shear is Isaias’s biggest obstacle.

Wind shear created by a strengthening El Niño has been suppressing tropical cyclone activity across the Atlantic this year. A strong wall of wind shear is present over the gulf coast, and it is likely to weaken Isaias as it moves north, according to the Weather Channel.

The NHC’s hurricane hunters are scheduled to fly into 92L Wednesday to measure its strength, according to the Weather Channel.

Hilton Head area impacts

Isaias’s impacts depend on where it tracks, how strong it gets and how fast it moves, according to the Weather Channel. The major concern is heavy rain, and Isaias is expected to bring some well inland after landfall.

NOAA’s GFS weather model shows 5 to 6 inches of rain falling this weekend in Beaufort County, and the Weather Prediction Center forecasts 5 inches. But those forecast should be taken with a grain of salt. Rainfall will depend on the track and how fast Isaias moves. If it’s a slow-moving storm, expect more rain. Impacts will become more clear later this week.

The NHC releases tropical updates regularly at nhc.noaa.gov. The National Weather Service’s Charleston branch provides local forecasts at forecast.weather.gov.

A lowcountry native who served his country and retired as the 26th Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army will be honored during an Oct. 10 ceremony on Hilton Head Island.

Bluffton Today

A Lowcountry native who served his country for more than 30 years and retired Aug. 1 as the 26th Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army will be honored during an Oct. 10 ceremony.

A public recognition ceremony for Chaplain (Major General) William “Bill” Green Jr. will be held at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

The event will celebrate Green’s life of faith, military service and leadership. Following the ceremony, a community reception will be held, and the public is invited.

Green is a Hilton Head native and graduate of the former H.E. McCracken High School in Bluffton.

While serving, Green guided soldiers, families and civilians with spiritual leadership and supported religious freedoms throughout the Army, according to event organizers.

"General Green's life reflects the very best of our community," said Thomas C. Barnwell Jr., advisor emeritus of the Chaplain (Major General) William "Bill" Green, Jr. Day Recognition Committee. "His journey shows how faith, family, education, and perseverance prepare someone to lead and serve at the highest levels. This celebration allows us to thank him for his service and ensure his legacy inspires future generations."

Some of the event highlights for Green will include a presentation of an official proclamation from the Town of Hilton Head Island declaring Oct.10 as "Chaplain (Major General) William 'Bill' Green Jr. Day"; a presentation of a proclamation from the Town of Bluffton recognizing Green's military service and connection to Bluffton; a presentation of a Joint Proclamation from the historic churches of Hilton Head Island honoring his commitment to Christian ministry; and military honors recognizing his distinguished service as the 26th Chief of Chaplains of the Army.

There will also be special tributes for Green from clergy, elected officials, community leaders, classmates, mentors, veterans, and family members. An announcement will also be made of a scholarship established in Green’s honor at the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Donations are being accepted to help extend his legacy by supporting future generations.

The theme of the ceremony will be “From General Mitchel to General Green,” and it will follow a journey that covers more than 160 years in American history. General Ormsby M. Mitchel’s leadership during the Civil War helped lead to the founding of the Town of Mitchelville in 1862.

The town is located on Hilton Head Island and is known as the nation’s first self-governed community of formerly enslaved people and has gone on to become a place of hope for future generations.Green is a descendant of Mitchel, whose family roots are deeply connected to Mitchelville, event organizers said.

As the Chief of Chaplains, Green was able to achieve one of the highest levels of leadership in the U.S. Army and stands among the most distinguished military leaders to emerge from the Gullah Geechee community.

Information about donating to the new scholarship can be found at lowcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5983.

Looking for a way to get into the fall spirit?

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a timeless way to do it. The Lowcountry isn’t known for the signature reds, oranges and yellows of fall, but there are plenty of places to find the pumpkin best suited for your porch. Here are five places for pumpkin-picking, family-friendly fun and a classic fall atmosphere.

Carteret Street United Methodist Church

This patch in downtown Beaufort unloaded its first batch of pumpkins back on Sept. 20, and will have another on Oct. 11. Located at 408 Carteret St, Beaufort, the church’s pumpkins are shipped in from Farmington, New Mexico every year. Pumpkins range from small to large, and it also offers gourds, scarecrows and more.

The patch is open through Halloween from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

The Great Pumpkin Patch at Holiday Farms

Holiday Farms at 10884 Grays Highway in Ridgeland is once again opening the Great Pumpkin Patch this Friday, Oct. 2. There are plenty of pumpkins, but also a slate of family-friendly fall activities including a large jump pad, duck races, corn grinding, steer roping, cow milking and more. There’s also Holiday Farm’s General Store with t-shirts, local honey, toys, candy, refreshments and more. Food can be purchased or brought in for picnics.

The Great Pumpkin Patch is open from Oct. 2 to Halloween, and admission is $18 per person. Each admission comes with one complimentary pumpkin. The patch is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Madrac Farms

Located just across the Savannah River in Rincon, Georgia, Madrac Farms at 580 Ralph Rahn Road offers both locally-grown pumpkins and a family-friendly fall experience. Mardrac Farms has a corn maze, potato-sack slide, jump pad and more kid-friendly activities with an admission cost of $13, and kids under three get in for free. It grows a special type of pumpkin called the Orange Bulldog, and it was developed by the University of Georgia to grow in the heat and humidity of the area. Guests can purchase food on-site or bring their own for picnicking.

Pumpkins cost between $2 and $100 depending on the size and shape. Madrac Farms is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Cahill’s Market

The Cahill’s Market pumpkin patch is open at 1055 May River Road. The family-owned business has both pumpkins and gourds, as well as a hay pyramid with a tunnel for the kids. Cahill’s Market is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Hilton Head Island Rec Pumpkin Patch

Hilton Head Island Rec will hold a one-day pumpkin patch at Shelter Cove Park on Oct. 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The patch is free and will have bounce houses, games, a train ride, concessions and more. Kids can also participate in the costume contest planned for 5:45 p.m.