Dolphins in South Carolina in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see dolphins in South Carolina. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 109 of the 973 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for dolphins in South Carolina
11.2%
of yearly sightings
109
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
973
verified records a year
November 9.5%, December 11.2%, January 7.8%. Busiest month is March at 11.9%.
973 verified observations of dolphins in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
March
116 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 76 | 7.8% |
| February | 44 | 4.5% |
| Marchpeak | 116 | 11.9% |
| April | 78 | 8% |
| May | 76 | 7.8% |
| June | 100 | 10.3% |
| Julypeak | 102 | 10.5% |
| August | 71 | 7.3% |
| September | 50 | 5.1% |
| October | 59 | 6.1% |
| November | 92 | 9.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 109 | 11.2% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 804 |
| Striped Dolphin | 2 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 1 |
| Common Dolphins | 1 |
| Pilot Whales | 1 |
| Rough-toothed Dolphin | 1 |
In South Carolina, December carries 11.2% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (9.5%) into December, and it heads toward January (7.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in South Carolina are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Striped Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which dolphins you are most likely to see
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin804 records
- Striped Dolphin2 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin1 records
- Common Dolphins1 records
- Pilot Whales1 records
- Rough-toothed Dolphin1 records
Plan your dolphin trip in South Carolina
Start with live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in South Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in South Carolina
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dolphins in South Carolina in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 109 of the 973 verified dolphins sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see dolphins in South Carolina?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, December and July.
What month is best for dolphins in South Carolina?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, December and July, based on 973 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Striped Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in South Carolina in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in South Carolina