• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Coligny Beach

SC PICTURE PROJECT 2 Comments

SC Picture Project / Beaufort County / Coligny Beach

Coligny Beach (pronounced by locals as cuh-LIG-nee) is located at the end of Pope Avenue off Coligny Plaza on Hilton Head Island. Named for French Huguenot Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, who sponsored two expeditions to the New World in the 16th century – including that of Jean Ribaut, who arrived at nearby Port Royal in 1562 – the beach invites visitors to do some exploring of their own.

Coligny Beach Hilton Head

Shannon O’Shea of Harrisburg, 2013 PA © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The wide expanse of shoreline with its shallow gullies and unique sand pattern reveals ocean life swept in by the tides. Shell collectors and shark tooth hunters can discover a trove of treasures left by the receding tide, but as always, please remember to place live whelks (often called conchs), soft sand dollars, and still-flexible star fish back into the sea.

Hilton Head Island Beach Scene

Cindy Robinson of Goose Creek, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Town of Hilton Head Island purchased five acres in 1988 to create Coligny Beach Park, a convenient public access to the beach. The park includes amenities such as restrooms and showers, changing stalls, umbrella rentals, and handicapped access to the water. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, making Coligny Beach Park a safer place to swim.

Coligny Hilton Head Island

Shannon O’Shea of Harrisburg, 2016 PA © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Coligny Beach Park offers plenty of parking (though most of it is not free), and it is laced with boardwalks and bike paths. The beach has robust dunes, which can be unusual in South Carolina, and there is even a trail winding behind them. The shore is dotted with single-family homes and modest condos instead of towering hotels.

Coligny Beach Sunrise

Shannon O’Shea of Harrisburg, 2012 PA © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

One of the most beloved parts of the park is its fountain, located at Coligny’s entrance. This wading pool, which shoots arcs of cold, refreshing water, provides fun for children of all ages. Parents and grandparents can even sit in swings while they watch their loved ones splash and play.

Coligny Beach

Russ Greene of Bluffton, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In fact, Coligny Beach offers a bit of something for everyone, and because of this it is often quite crowded. Widely considered the most popular beach on Hilton Head, tourists flock here for a mix of sunbathing and shopping at Coligny Plaza. The plaza, which is located next to the park, features a grocery store, numerous restaurants, and plenty of beach boutiques. The park and plaza also boast free wi-fi, which makes a day here even more appealing to those who enjoy the beach but need a break from it now and then.

Bald Eagle, Hilton Head Island Beach

Kim Lewis of Hilton Head, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Coligny Beach


Contributor Shannon Rose O’Shea, whose numerous photos graces this page, shares this funny story about her adventures on Coligny: “Coligny Beach is my absolute favorite place to take sunrise/sunset pictures. I take most of them in the winter when they’re aren’t a lot of beach-goers around. I’ve had people say that they saw my photos of Coligny Beach and wished they were there swimming and working on their tans. If they only knew that it was FREEZING and I was covered from head to toe. All you could see were my eyes and my ‘trigger’ finger!”

Coligny Hilton Head

Shannon O’Shea of Harrisburg, 2012 PA © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Coligny Beach

Where is Coligny Beach located?
Address: 1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
GPS Coordinates: 32.141823,-80.747553
What else should I see?
Leamington Lighthouse 2.6 miles
Harbour Town Lighthouse 6.1 miles
Stoney-Baynard Plantation 6.4 miles
Zion Chapel of Ease 8.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Beaches
  • Hilton Head Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Parks
    Coligny Beach Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $3,110 of $12,500 raised
    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Hunting Island Park SCHunting Island State Park Folly Field BeachFolly Field Beach Stoney Baynard Hilton HeadStoney-Baynard Plantation Harbour Town MarinaHarbour Town Lighthouse Skull CreekSkull Creek

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat Redmond says

      November 14, 2016 at 12:27 PM

      Is there any way to purchase any of the photos that have been submitted? Thank you!

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        November 15, 2016 at 7:43 AM

        Hi, Pat. The photos are owned by the photographers, and many are happy to sell prints of their images. If you click on a photographer’s name you should be able to access the photographer’s website. Good luck!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $3,110 of $12,500 raised
    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved