SC Picture Project » Hunting Island

Hunting Island Pier

SCIWAY — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:18:05 +0000

Hunting Island State Park

SCIWAY — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:37:08 +0000

Hunting Island is located just 16 miles east of Beaufort. The island is a popular 5,000-acre state park that has over one million visitors each year.

Hunting Island has primitive campgrounds close to the beach and also spaces for RVs to park. The historic Hunting Island lighthouse is the only lighthouse open to the public to climb in our state, and the views from the top are amazing!

The 1,120-foot fishing pier picture below stretches into Fripp Inlet. At the entrance to the pier, you can find a nature center with exhibits about local wildlife.

Before you go, make sure to check out our maps of Hunting Island!

Hunting Island Lighthouse

SCIWAY — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:54:34 +0000

Hunting Island in Beaufort County received its name because it was once used for hunting deer, raccoon and waterfowl. The lighthouse keepers and their families likely enjoyed the abundance of wild game, but they also raised hogs, chickens, and turkeys and tended a garden as well.

Currently, the Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only historic lighthouse in South Carolina that allows visitors to climb to the top.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic Ocean washes away several feet of shoreline each year. Today, the tower stands 400 feet from the high water mark. If erosion continues at its present rate, the lighthouse might need to be moved further inland soon.

Learn more about the Hunting Island Lighthouse.

Hunting Island State Park

SCIWAY — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:54:34 +0000

In early October 2007, a devastating tropical storm passed over Hunting Island State Park, raising tides for several days and washing away several cabins located on the southern end of the island. These cabins had served as prime vacation rentals for many years.

According to Friends of Hunting Island, each year approximately 15 feet of sand wash away from the beach. Hurricane damage from 2004 also drastically affected the shoreline, making Hunting Island one of the most quickly eroding beaches on the East Coast.

South Carolina‘s legislature allocated $5 million to help combat this erosion, and the project to pump sand and place groins (jetties) on the beach was completed in 2006. The pumping was finished just in time for the turtle nesting season, but erosion continues to be an ongoing battle.