We knew it and now Instagram does, too: Hilton Head is top spot for photos in SC

From the serene Blue Ridge mountains in the Upstate to the bewitching beaches of the Lowcountry, South Carolina’s landscape is an Instagrammer’s paradise.

Anyone with a phone and a filter can snap an awe-inspiring photo, and many are doing just that right here.

For the second year in a row, Hilton Head Island Beach was the most photographed spot in South Carolina in 2016, according to USA Today, which used geotagged pictures posted on Instagram from its 500 million users.

Yes, we do know that there is no such actual beach called Hilton Head Island Beach, but the tag includes posts from beaches across the island.

Other top spots in the state include the University of South Carolina, Broadway at the Beach, Charleston’s Historic District, and Williams- Brice Stadium.

Add the good news to the list of bragging rights claimed in 2016 (minus Hurricane Matthew) for the 12-mile-long Lowcountry island. Hilton Head Island was also named the best island in the continental United States by Travel and Leisure Magazine and also made it to the No. 8 spot on the Best Islands in the World listing.

Earlier this year, TripAdvisor ranked Hilton Head Island No. 6 on the list of best U.S. islands.

Not to brag or anything - well maybe just a little.

Oddly, USA Today used this photo showing beach renourishment to represent Hilton Head in their article:

Here is a sampling of some of the most marvelous photos taken on Hilton Head Island beaches this year.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 10:19 AM with the headline "We knew it and now Instagram does, too: Hilton Head is top spot for photos in SC."