More than 12,000 lightning strikes were recorded over the south and west coastal areas of South Australia on Sunday night and the early hours of Monday morning.
A spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology said most of the strikes were over the sea to the west and south of Kangaroo Island.
The spectacular light show started at the west end of the island about 9pm and continued most of the night, passing over Kingscote and American River about 2am on Monday morning as the storm continued until about 6am.
No damage or fires were reported to police.
Islander photographer Sean McGowan took this shot from the beach at the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club.