3 Types of Sea Turtles in South Carolina
South Carolina's coast hosts five sea turtle species. Most common is the loggerhead. Start at Cape Romain or Hunting Island during summer nesting season. Look for shell patterns and head shape to tell them apart. This guide covers where and when to find each species and how to identify them.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 6, 2026.
Verified species, source iNaturalist
3 types of sea turtles recorded in South Carolina
3 sea turtle species have a verified observation record in South Carolina, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
South Carolina's coast hosts five sea turtle species. Most common is the loggerhead. Start at Cape Romain or Hunting Island during summer nesting season. Look for shell patterns and head shape to tell them apart. This guide covers where and when to find each species and how to identify them.
1. What sea turtle species can you find in South Carolina?
Five species of sea turtles regularly visit South Carolina waters: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). Loggerheads are by far the most common nesters. The others are seen less frequently, usually offshore or as occasional nesters. For a full overview of sea turtles in the state, see ourSea Turtle page.
2. Where do people most often see sea turtles in the state?
The best odds for sea turtle sightings are along the undeveloped barrier islands and wildlife refuges. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is the largest nesting site for loggerheads in the state. Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach, and the beaches of Kiawah Island also see regular nesting activity. Boat trips around the Charleston harbor and offshore waters can turn up green and Kemp's ridley turtles. For a detailed guide, check out ourSouth Carolina wildlife hub.
3. When is the best time to spot sea turtles in South Carolina?
Sea turtle nesting season runs from May through August, with peak nesting in June and July. Hatchlings emerge from nests from July through October. For sightings in the water, you have the best luck from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are above 70°F. Winter months see very few turtles because they migrate to warmer waters. The most reliable way to see a sea turtle is to join a guided turtle walk on a protected beach during nesting season. For more timing tips, visit oursea turtle types page.
4. How do you identify a loggerhead sea turtle?
Loggerheads are the most frequently seen sea turtle in South Carolina. They have a large, blocky head with powerful jaws. The carapace (upper shell) is reddish-brown with a slightly heart-shaped outline. Adults weigh 200–350 pounds. Look for five pairs of costal scutes (the plates on the sides of the shell). The plastron (bottom shell) is yellowish. Loggerheads are often found near inlets and nearshore reefs. They are named for their large head, which is noticeably wider than the shell opening.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. How do you identify a green sea turtle?
Green sea turtles are the second most common in South Carolina. Their carapace is smooth and olive to dark brown, often with wavy patterns. The shell is more oval and less heart-shaped than a loggerhead. Greens have a small, blunt head with a serrated jaw. They weigh 250–400 pounds. A key clue: greens have only four pairs of costal scutes (loggerheads have five). The plastron is white to yellowish. Greens are herbivorous, so they are often found near seagrass beds.
6. How do you identify a Kemp's ridley sea turtle?
Kemp's ridley is the smallest sea turtle species, typically weighing 80–100 pounds. The carapace is almost circular and olive-gray in color. Look for five pairs of costal scutes. The head is triangular with a slightly hooked beak. Kemp's ridleys are critically endangered and are rarely seen except in the Gulf Stream or occasional nesting on Cape Romain. They sometimes wash up on beaches after storms. If you see a small, gray turtle with a very round shell, it is likely a Kemp's ridley.
7. How do you identify a leatherback sea turtle?
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles, reaching up to 1,500 pounds. They lack a hard shell; instead, their carapace is a leathery, ridged skin with seven longitudinal ridges. The color is dark blue-black with white spots. They have a pointed, beak-like mouth and large flippers with no claws. Leatherbacks are deep divers and are rarely seen from shore in South Carolina. Most sightings are from boats offshore. Their distinctive ridged back makes them unmistakable.
8. What gear can help you enjoy sea turtle watching responsibly?
If you plan to spend time on the beach during nesting season, a few items can make the experience better. A red-filtered flashlight allows you to see turtles without disturbing them. A reusable tote bag helps carry essentials without single-use plastics that can harm marine life. Check out our selection ofsea turtle tote bagsto keep your gear organized.
Alaska Wildlife Magnets
A small ceramic tile magnet with a sea turtle design. Supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Sea Turtle Embroidered Leather Baseball Cap
Embroidered trucker cap with a sea turtle patch. Portion of proceeds supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Cute Animals Compilation Pack ( Buy Large Or Medium In A Sticker) Turtle Sticker
Waterproof vinyl sticker perfect for water bottles or laptops. Portion supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Turtles in South Carolina
**Q: Are there sea turtles in the Charleston area?** A: Yes, the waters around Charleston and nearby beaches like Folly Beach and Isle of Palms see loggerhead nesting and juvenile green turtles offshore.
**Q: Can you swim with sea turtles in South Carolina?** A: Wild sea turtles are protected. Snorkeling near jetties or offshore reefs might give you a chance to see them, but you should never touch or chase a sea turtle.
**Q: What should I do if I find a sea turtle on the beach?** A: Keep your distance, do not shine lights on it, and call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources hotline at 1-800-922-5431.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Frequently asked questions
1. What sea turtle species can you find in South Carolina?+
Five species of sea turtles regularly visit South Carolina waters: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). Loggerheads are by far the most common nesters. The others are seen less frequently, usually offshore or as occasional nesters. For a full overview of sea turtles in the state, see ourSea Turtle page.
2. Where do people most often see sea turtles in the state?+
The best odds for sea turtle sightings are along the undeveloped barrier islands and wildlife refuges. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is the largest nesting site for loggerheads in the state. Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach, and the beaches of Kiawah Island also see regular nesting activity. Boat trips around the Charleston harbor and offshore waters can turn up green and Kemp's ridley turtles. For a detailed guide, check out ourSouth Carolina wildlife hub.
3. When is the best time to spot sea turtles in South Carolina?+
Sea turtle nesting season runs from May through August, with peak nesting in June and July. Hatchlings emerge from nests from July through October. For sightings in the water, you have the best luck from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are above 70°F. Winter months see very few turtles because they migrate to warmer waters. The most reliable way to see a sea turtle is to join a guided turtle walk on a protected beach during nesting season. For more timing tips, visit oursea turtle types page.
4. How do you identify a loggerhead sea turtle?+
Loggerheads are the most frequently seen sea turtle in South Carolina. They have a large, blocky head with powerful jaws. The carapace (upper shell) is reddish-brown with a slightly heart-shaped outline. Adults weigh 200–350 pounds. Look for five pairs of costal scutes (the plates on the sides of the shell). The plastron (bottom shell) is yellowish. Loggerheads are often found near inlets and nearshore reefs. They are named for their large head, which is noticeably wider than the shell opening. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. How do you identify a green sea turtle?+
Green sea turtles are the second most common in South Carolina. Their carapace is smooth and olive to dark brown, often with wavy patterns. The shell is more oval and less heart-shaped than a loggerhead. Greens have a small, blunt head with a serrated jaw. They weigh 250–400 pounds. A key clue: greens have only four pairs of costal scutes (loggerheads have five). The plastron is white to yellowish. Greens are herbivorous, so they are often found near seagrass beds.
6. How do you identify a Kemp's ridley sea turtle?+
Kemp's ridley is the smallest sea turtle species, typically weighing 80–100 pounds. The carapace is almost circular and olive-gray in color. Look for five pairs of costal scutes. The head is triangular with a slightly hooked beak. Kemp's ridleys are critically endangered and are rarely seen except in the Gulf Stream or occasional nesting on Cape Romain. They sometimes wash up on beaches after storms. If you see a small, gray turtle with a very round shell, it is likely a Kemp's ridley.
7. How do you identify a leatherback sea turtle?+
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles, reaching up to 1,500 pounds. They lack a hard shell; instead, their carapace is a leathery, ridged skin with seven longitudinal ridges. The color is dark blue-black with white spots. They have a pointed, beak-like mouth and large flippers with no claws. Leatherbacks are deep divers and are rarely seen from shore in South Carolina. Most sightings are from boats offshore. Their distinctive ridged back makes them unmistakable.
8. What gear can help you enjoy sea turtle watching responsibly?+
If you plan to spend time on the beach during nesting season, a few items can make the experience better. A red-filtered flashlight allows you to see turtles without disturbing them. A reusable tote bag helps carry essentials without single-use plastics that can harm marine life. Check out our selection ofsea turtle tote bagsto keep your gear organized. ### Alaska Wildlife Magnets A small ceramic tile magnet with a sea turtle design. Supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability ### Sea Turtle Embroidered Leather Baseball Cap Embroidered trucker cap with a sea turtle patch. Portion of proceeds supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability ### Cute Animals Compilation Pack ( Buy Large Or Medium In A Sticker) Turtle Sticker Waterproof vinyl sticker perfect for water bottles or laptops. Portion supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Keep exploring
More places to see sea turtle
More wildlife in South Carolina
Common questions about sea turtles