Hammerhead Sharks in South Carolina in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hammerhead sharks in South Carolina. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 26 of the 139 sightings logged across the year (18.7%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for hammerhead sharks in South Carolina
18.7%
of yearly sightings
26
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
139
verified records a year
April 3.6%, May 18.7%, June 25.2%. Busiest month is June at 25.2%.
139 verified observations of hammerhead sharks in South Carolina, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hammerhead sharks are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
June
35 records (25.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.7% |
| March | 5 | 3.6% |
| April | 5 | 3.6% |
| Maypeak | 26 | 18.7% |
| Junepeak | 35 | 25.2% |
| Julypeak | 25 | 18% |
| August | 21 | 15.1% |
| September | 10 | 7.2% |
| October | 7 | 5% |
| November | 3 | 2.2% |
| December | 1 | 0.7% |
Hammerhead Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bonnethead | 105 |
| Scalloped Hammerhead | 8 |
| Carolina Hammerhead | 1 |
In South Carolina, May carries 18.7% of the year's hammerhead sharks sightings, about 10.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (25.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hammerhead sharks most often recorded in South Carolina are Bonnethead, Scalloped Hammerhead and Carolina Hammerhead. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which hammerhead sharks you are most likely to see
- Bonnethead105 records
- Scalloped Hammerhead8 records
- Carolina Hammerhead1 records
Plan your hammerhead shark 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 hammerhead shark viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hammerhead shark viewing area in South Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a hammerhead shark 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 hammerhead sharks in South Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 26 of the 139 verified hammerhead sharks sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 18.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hammerhead sharks in South Carolina?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for hammerhead sharks in South Carolina?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 139 verified observations.
Which hammerhead sharks are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are Bonnethead, Scalloped Hammerhead and Carolina Hammerhead, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hammerhead sharks in South Carolina in other months
More wildlife in South Carolina