Best Time to See Humpback Whales in South Carolina
November, January and March is the best time to see humpback whales in South Carolina. Based on 5 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales 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.
5 verified observations of humpback whales in South Carolina, recorded across 4 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
November
2 records (40% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1 | 20% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| Marchpeak | 1 | 20% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 0 | 0% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| Novemberpeak | 2 | 40% |
| December | 1 | 20% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 5 |
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 humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 41 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 41°F | 4.6" |
| Feb | 63°F | 44°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 69°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Apr | 76°F | 54°F | 4.5" |
| May | 83°F | 63°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 88°F | 69°F | 4.2" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Novbest time | 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 humpback whales in South Carolina:
Sightings of humpback whales in South Carolina peak in November, when 2 of the year's 5 verified observations are logged — about 40% of the annual total. Activity stays high through November, January and March.
The quietest stretch is February, April and May, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in South Carolina are Humpback Whale — 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 humpback whales 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 humpback whales in South Carolina?+
November is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through November, January and March, based on 5 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in South Carolina?+
February is the quietest month for humpback whales in South Carolina, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in South Carolina?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 4 of 12 months in South Carolina, concentrated around November and January.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in South Carolina