Instagrammable:
adjective, informal
Worthy of being photographed and posted on the social media platform, Instagram.
(Dictionary.com)
Yes, “instagrammable” is officially a real word. And to be quite honest, it can definitely be used to describe the entire island. If you’re looking to snap some photos of, or in front of some of the most iconic sites and beautiful locations on the island, you’ll want to keep reading! We’ll give you the inside scoop on the specific spot and recommend nearby activities.
Harbour Town Lighthouse and Yacht Basin
149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
The most iconic landmark and unofficially the symbol of the entire island, did you really visit Hilton Head without taking a picture of the Harbour Town Lighthouse? This picture-perfect area in Sea Pines is a must-see, especially if you haven’t visited it before!
Harbour Town is full of great restaurants, shopping, and is known for having various events and live music scheduled throughout the year. The yacht basin is full of beautiful water crafts owned by locals and visitors alike. Sit in one of the many red rocking chairs for your new profile photo, or climb to the top of the lighthouse for the best view around.
Did you know that the lighthouse is actually a museum? On the ground floor, you’ll find a great shop full of books, souvenirs, and other beautiful pieces, while the gift shop at the very tippy top is a lighthouse lover’s dream. On your accent, the walls are covered in Hilton Head history, with exhibits at every landing. Read more about the museum, here.
Pro Tip: There is a gate fee to enter the Sea Pines property, but if you plan on eating at one of their restaurants, the fee can count toward your bill.
Shelter Cove Community Park’s View of Broad Creek
39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Need a backdrop for a family photo? The beautiful green and blue hues of Broad Creek is a perfect choice! Head to the park within Shelter Cove Towne Centre, and you’ll find a long pathway connecting to Shelter Cove Veterans Memorial and plenty of pieces of artwork that make up the Sculpture Trail–even more photo opportunities!
The Shelter Cove Community Park has many other photogenic spots like the water fountain, seating area in the center, as well as the playground to the left. This park hosts many festivals and events throughout the year like movie nights in the summer, live concerts, and even the island’s annual snow day in the winter.
Coligny Beach Park
1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Before you even reach the powder sands and beautiful blue Atlantic, you’ll be met by some great photo opportunities! As you walk down the boardwalk through the official entrance of Coligny Beach Park, you’ll pass by a number of swings and Adirondack chairs that’ll make a pretty cute spot for a group picture or two.
This beach is one of the most popular on the island, and for good reason! With free parking, this beach is also located just steps away from Coligny Plaza where you can shop ’til you drop, eat a delicious meal, and even catch some live music. On the other side of the beach’s parking lot, you’ll find Lowcountry Celebration Park, the perfect place for your kids to run around and play on the pirate ship play structure or inside with cool AC at The Sandbox Children’s Museum.
Since it is such a busy beach, you may want to head that way early in the morning or later at night for the best pictures. Who wouldn’t want a cotton candy-colored sunset as their photo backdrop?
King Neptune Sundial at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
With his trident pointing towards “true south,” the larger-than-life, bronze statue of King Neptune welcomes visitors to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. This landmark makes for a great picture; as a bonus, it’ll tell you what time it is!
Shelter Cove Harbor & Marina has various restaurants, shops, and an art gallery to explore as you walk around admiring the beautiful boats in the water–some of which light up at Christmastime! This area is also known for year-round festivals and events that host local live musicians and offer guests of all ages a great time. Learn more about the summertime favorite, HabourFest.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
229 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Take a walk through history and discover Mitchelville, the first self-governed settlement of formally-enslaved people founded in 1862. This outdoor museum features replicas of buildings and other exhibits that help tell the story of the trailblazers of Mitchelville. Beneath shady trees and drooping Spanish moss, you’ll be able to tour the grounds yourself or by registering for a tour.
There’s not only a path to a beautiful beach, but also a boardwalk and viewing platform that juts out into the marsh offering great views of the marsh and wildlife. The site also hosts festivals and events year-round that allow guests to experience traditional Gullah culture and cuisine that are worth the trip to Hilton Head Island alone!
Coastal Discovery Museum
70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
It’s free to visit the Coastal Discovery Museum and the grounds of Honey Horn, and boy are there a bunch of opportunities to snap some amazing photos!
Explore the historic property from its many boardwalks over the Spartina grass, to its paths through colorful gardens and sculptures, to even the butterfly enclosure, barn, and main house. You’ll probably have so many pictures, that it’ll be hard to figure out which ones make it to the ‘gram.
The Coastal Discovery Museum offers a ton of weekly and seasonal tours that you can take that’ll let you learn about the Lowcountry’s history, culture, and wildlife.
