2 Breathtaking Stargazing Experiences for Lowcountry Space Enthusiasts

Pack a telescope and spend a night under the stars at these two coastal spots that are perfect for taking in the Lowcountry’s beautiful skies.

Story by Lance Hanlin
Photography by Zach Grether

The beaches of Hilton Head and Hunting Island rank among the Southeast’s most popular daytime destinations, but after sunset they reveal a completely different kind of beauty. Under a blanket of stars, the familiar shorelines transform into places of calm and quiet wonder. Nightscape and fine-art landscape photographer Zach Grether has spent years capturing that serene drama. He shares two of his favorite local spots for breathtaking views of the night sky and a bit of inspiration for anyone ready to try their hand at nightscape photography. The Lowcountry sky always rewards those who take the time to look up.

Hunting Island State Park

Hunting Island is one of the darkest public places along the South Carolina coast, making it a stargazer’s dream. The trick, Grether says, is access. “It helps to get a campsite, since the park is closed at night. That way, you’re already inside the boundaries when the stars come out.”

Once you’re there, keep your lights to a minimum. “Don’t use a flashlight unless you absolutely have to,” he says. “If you do, switch to the red-light option so your eyes can adjust to the darkness. Usually, the moonlight and ambient light are enough.”

Grether’s haunting photograph Toppled captures the park’s driftwood-strewn shoreline beneath a blazing Milky Way. Another favorite, Follow Me, reveals a dreamlike view along the boardwalk leading to the lagoon observation area. 

“Most of my images end up vibrant,” he says. “But this one feels quieter. I find it easy to just stare and get lost in thought.”

For the best results, plan around the moon’s schedule. Avoid full-moon nights unless you want the moonlight to illuminate your foreground. “You’ll get your clearest skies when the moon is below the horizon,” Grether says. “There are plenty of apps that can help you track moonrise and moonset times.”

Burkes Beach, Hilton Head Island

Closer to home, Burkes Beach provides a more accessible yet equally captivating experience. “I just park along Burkes Beach Road, and walk up the public access path,” Grether says. “There are side paths near the marsh that can give you great landscape perspectives.”

The challenge here is light pollution. Hilton Head’s glow and the nearby lights of Savannah limit visibility, but the results can still be spectacular with the right timing. “Always shoot away from direct lights and opposite the nearest city’s light dome,” Grether advises. “Light pollution is the number one killer of night-sky photos.”

Grether’s image Out To Sea captures the Milky Way rising to the east, above the folly between Burkes and Singleton beaches. 

“I knew the folly would give me strong leading lines if I could time it right,” he says. “What I love most is the air glow along the horizon. Some people think it ruins the shot, but I love how it makes the sky feel alive.”

Tips from the photographer

If you’re ready to try night photography, Grether recommends learning the “500 Rule.” Divide 500 by your lens’s focal length to find the longest exposure you can use without turning stars into trails. A 14mm lens allows for roughly 35 seconds.

“Shoot wide open, around f/2.8 or f/4.0, and adjust ISO between 3200 and 6400,” he says. “Turn off auto focus, and use distant lights, like shrimp boats or ships, to focus manually. Once you find your focus, don’t touch it.”

And most of all, enjoy it. “There’s no rush,” Grether says. “The stars move slowly. Take your time. You’ll see meteors, satellites, even Starlink constellations. The sky is alive and beautiful to behold.”