Best Time to See Green Sea Turtles in South Carolina
July, September and April is the best time to see green sea turtles in South Carolina. Based on 54 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when green sea turtles are most active across the year in South Carolina.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Green Sea Turtle · Rebecca Turner CC BY
Green Sea Turtle · Public domain CC0
Green Sea Turtle · Dalton Watt CC BY
54 verified observations of green sea turtles in South Carolina, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When green sea turtles are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
July
16 records (29.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| Aprilpeak | 7 | 13% |
| May | 4 | 7.4% |
| June | 7 | 13% |
| Julypeak | 16 | 29.6% |
| August | 3 | 5.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 8 | 14.8% |
| October | 1 | 1.9% |
| November | 5 | 9.3% |
| December | 3 | 5.6% |
Green Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 54 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South Carolina
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when green sea turtles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for green sea turtles sit around 54 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 41°F | 4.6" |
| Feb | 63°F | 44°F | 4" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 54°F | 4.5" |
| May | 83°F | 63°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 88°F | 69°F | 4.2" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 74°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Sepbest time | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 47°F | 2.7" |
| Dec | 60°F | 43°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on green sea turtles in South Carolina:
Sightings of green sea turtles in South Carolina peak in July, when 16 of the year's 54 verified observations are logged — about 29.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, September and April.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when green sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The green sea turtles you are most likely to encounter in South Carolina are Green Sea Turtle — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see green sea turtles in South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ninety Six National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Congaree National Park — National Park
- Cowpens National Battlefield — National Battlefield
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see green sea turtles in South Carolina?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, September and April, based on 54 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are green sea turtles hardest to see in South Carolina?+
January is the quietest month for green sea turtles in South Carolina, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are green sea turtles active year-round in South Carolina?+
Green sea turtles are recorded in 9 of 12 months in South Carolina, concentrated around July and September.
More places to see green sea turtles
More wildlife in South Carolina