Best Time to See Whales in South Carolina
March, December and July is the best time to see whales in South Carolina. Based on 1,010 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Charlotte Kirchner CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · sudomir CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Peter Burka CC BY-SA
1,010 verified observations of whales in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
March
122 records (12.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 7.8% |
| February | 45 | 4.5% |
| Marchpeak | 122 | 12.1% |
| April | 81 | 8% |
| May | 83 | 8.2% |
| June | 102 | 10.1% |
| Julypeak | 108 | 10.7% |
| August | 72 | 7.1% |
| September | 51 | 5% |
| October | 61 | 6% |
| November | 94 | 9.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 112 | 11.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 811 |
| Sperm Whale | 6 |
| Humpback Whale | 5 |
| Striped Dolphin | 2 |
| Cuvier's Beaked Whale | 1 |
| Pygmy Sperm Whale | 1 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 1 |
| Common Dolphins | 1 |
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 whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales sit around 43 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 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" |
| Julbest time | 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" |
| Nov | 66°F | 47°F | 2.7" |
| Decbest time | 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.
Sightings of whales in South Carolina peak in March, when 122 of the year's 1,010 verified observations are logged — about 12.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, December and July.
The quietest stretch is February, September and October, when whales are hardest to find — February sees just 45 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in South Carolina are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Sperm Whale and 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 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 whales in South Carolina?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, December and July, based on 1,010 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in South Carolina?+
February is the quietest month for whales in South Carolina, with only 45 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in South Carolina?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in South Carolina