A metal detector wasn’t needed on Hilton Head, S.C., on Saturday, May 23, to locate this metal object. Treasure hunters and shell collectors saw quite a site in front of Hilton Head resort in Palmetto Dunes, a piece of a European satellite washed ashore. The size of the curved spacecraft debris has been compared to that of a small car and looks like it was put together with over-sized Lego blocks.

According to The Island Packet, a local newspaper, the Federal Aviation Administration identified the piece was part of a satellite launched from an Ariane 5 rocket. And the country’s origin? Apparently labels on this chunk-o-satellite read, “Made in France.”

While future Hilton Head vacationers aren’t guaranteed a view of spacecraft debris on these South Carolina beaches, they are almost always guaranteed access to fabulous beaches and water sports, boutique shopping, delicious dining, golfing on some pretty swank golf courses and starry, starry nights.

Check out this CNN iReport photo of the satellite debris and checkout the affordable Hilton Head vacations.

A kaleidoscope of artists in mediums ranging from music to painting and theater to crafts and everything in between are ramping up for the Eighth Annual BRAVO Arts & Cultural Festival on Hilton Head Island and surrounding Lowcountry.

During the month-long festival which begins the end of April and runs through the end of May, visitors to Hilton Head can find something to nurture their cultural soul with more than 50 different public events in visual arts, theater, music, literature, food, history, and nature.

Attendees to this year’s BRAVO Arts & Cultural Festival can look forward to several groovy events including a premier of Elton John’s “Aida;” an Art Market at Historic Horn featuring 80 artists from across the country; and The Sparrow Trio-Hendrix Remixed, a musical tribute to Jimi Hendrix at The Jazz Corner. New this year is the addition of eco-educational activities for visitors and eco-friendly exhibits.

“Bravo continues to expand its cultural offerings and unique events from year to year,” says Kathi Bateson, President and CEO of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. “The festival helps to remind us that the Island is not only about the lush green environment and beautiful beaches but it is chock full with cultural arts, and this fact is a big reason why people enjoy it here so much.”

All sorts of organization are involved in making this festival happen. These include: the Hilton Head Choral Society, the Old Town Bluffton Merchants Society, The Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, The Jazz Corner, The May River Theatre Co., Beaufort County Historical Society, South Carolina Repertory Company, Coastal Discovery Museum at Historic Honey Horn, Pink House Gallery of Fine Art & Framing, Hilton Head Island High School Visual Performing Arts Center, Jazz Lovers of the Lowcountry, Hilton Head Choral Society, and Island School Council for the Arts, among others.

Find more information about the BRAVO festival including a calendar of events, visit www.HiltonHeadIsland.org/BRAVO and check out the affordable Hilton Head accommodations being offered by Resort Rentals International.

Travelers to Hilton Head now have a new restaurant to dine. It’s called Skull Creek Boathouse (397 Squire Pope Road; Tel: 843-681-3663) and promises, “One bite & you’re hooked.  The former Boathouse II restaurant opened in January 2010 and offers dinners delicious views of Skull Creek visible either from a booth, seat at the bar, The Dive bar, outdoors on the patio, or at the Market 13 Buoy Bar.

What to eat when dining on Hilton Head? Seafood, silly. And Skull Creek Boathouse is serving up plenty of freshest treasures from the sea. The menu includes raw and chilled creations such as the “tako salad” appetizer (octopus, conch, jicama, bamboo shoots, red onions and kimchi vinaigrette) and the “shellfish cocktail sampler” (blue crab knuckles, shrimp and lobster cocktail with mustard and cocktail sauces. A raw bar and beautiful sushi creations are served up, too.

For those who prefer their seafood cooked, you can have that, too. Whether its shrimp in its purest form you crave, Skull Creek Boathouse serves it steamed, chilled, fried, and many other ways (yup, almost sounds like a scene from Forest Gump). Unique seafood creations and traditional American comfort food with a modern twist are served up for lunch and dinner. Don’t worry, landlubbers will find plenty to choose from the extensive menu.

Skull Creek Boathouse is part of The SERG Restaurant Group which operates these Hilton Head restaurants, too: Giuseppi’s Pizza and Pasta on Hilton Head; One Hot Mama’s American Grille on Hilton Head Island; Frankie Bones Restaurant & Lounge on Hilton Head Island; The Black Marlin Bayside Grill & Hurricane Bar at Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island; The Lodge Beer and Growler Bar on Hilton Head Island; and WiseGuys Restaurant and Wine Bar on Hilton Head Island.