Jellyfishes in South Carolina in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see jellyfishes in South Carolina. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 685 of the 4,123 sightings logged across the year (16.6%), 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 jellyfishes in South Carolina
16.6%
of yearly sightings
685
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
4,123
verified records a year
April 31.8%, May 16.6%, June 9.2%. Busiest month is April at 31.8%.
4,123 verified observations of jellyfishes in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
April
1,311 records (31.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 148 | 3.6% |
| February | 169 | 4.1% |
| Marchpeak | 781 | 18.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,311 | 31.8% |
| Maypeak | 685 | 16.6% |
| June | 379 | 9.2% |
| July | 103 | 2.5% |
| August | 136 | 3.3% |
| September | 94 | 2.3% |
| October | 101 | 2.4% |
| November | 99 | 2.4% |
| December | 117 | 2.8% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Cannonball Jelly | 2,968 |
| Mushroom Jelly | 434 |
| Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly | 201 |
| Southern Moon Jelly | 121 |
| Bay Nettle | 22 |
| Atlantic Sea Nettle | 12 |
| Pink Meanie | 5 |
| Australian Spotted Jelly | 4 |
In South Carolina, May carries 16.6% of the year's jellyfishes sightings, about 8.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (31.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The jellyfishes most often recorded in South Carolina are Cannonball Jelly, Mushroom Jelly and Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly. 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 jellyfishes you are most likely to see
- Cannonball Jelly2,968 records
- Mushroom Jelly434 records
- Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly201 records
- Southern Moon Jelly121 records
- Bay Nettle22 records
- Atlantic Sea Nettle12 records
Plan your jellyfish 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 jellyfish viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best jellyfish viewing area in South Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a jellyfish 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 jellyfishes in South Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 685 of the 4,123 verified jellyfishes sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 16.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see jellyfishes in South Carolina?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, March and May.
What month is best for jellyfishes in South Carolina?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 4,123 verified observations.
Which jellyfishes are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are Cannonball Jelly, Mushroom Jelly and Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See jellyfishes in South Carolina in other months
More places to see jellyfishes
More wildlife in South Carolina