The towering 12-foot bronze statue of Neptune, which doubles as a larger-than-life sundial, serves as an iconic symbol of Shelter Cove Harbour at Palmetto Dunes.
Sculptor Wayne Edwards designed and installed the statue.
This much-loved landmark serves as a tribute to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The King Neptune statue, which depicts a bearded Neptune holding his signature trident. It serves as a popular centerpiece at Shelter Cove Harbour. The statue sits strategically atop a circular base with numbers around the edge.
When the trident’s shadow falls across the 26-foot-wide base, the numbers indicate the precise time. Hailed as the world’s largest figurative sundial, the statue’s originally casting took place at a foundry in Princeton, New Jersey. It was subsequently shipped by truck to Hilton Head Island in 1983. Engineers made meticulous measurements before installation of the one-ton statue. This ensured the precise location and the ideal angle to indicate the time.
They oriented the sculpture towards true south by aligning the constellation Ursa Major with the North Star.
On August 11, 1983, an official dedication for the statue took place at Shelter Cove Harbour. The event attracted residents and visitors alike. Today, the King Neptune statue delights generations of visitors to Shelter Cove Harbour, impressing adults and children of all ages. Stop by to see King Neptune in person and to experience a true Hilton Head Island icon.