Sea Turtles in South Carolina in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sea turtles in South Carolina. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 54 of the 396 sightings logged across the year (13.6%), 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.
Good month for sea turtles in South Carolina
13.6%
of yearly sightings
54
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
396
verified records a year
April 2%, May 13.6%, June 18.2%. Busiest month is July at 28%.
396 verified observations of sea turtles in South Carolina, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
July
111 records (28% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 1.3% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 0.8% |
| April | 8 | 2% |
| May | 54 | 13.6% |
| Junepeak | 72 | 18.2% |
| Julypeak | 111 | 28% |
| Augustpeak | 91 | 23% |
| September | 24 | 6.1% |
| October | 14 | 3.5% |
| November | 8 | 2% |
| December | 6 | 1.5% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 302 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 53 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 18 |
In South Carolina, May carries 13.6% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 5.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.2%) after. The busiest month is July (28%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sea turtles most often recorded in South Carolina are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle. 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 sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle302 records
- Green Sea Turtle53 records
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle18 records
Plan your sea turtle 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 sea turtle viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in South Carolina.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea turtle 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 sea turtles in South Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 54 of the 396 verified sea turtles sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 13.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sea turtles in South Carolina?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sea turtles in South Carolina?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 396 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in South Carolina in other months
More wildlife in South Carolina