It’s now the best time to spot dolphins in the Myrtle Beach, SC area. Here’s why & for how long

It’s the best time of year for dolphin lovers in the Grand Strand. While there are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the area year round, October and November are peak months in the area.

Some dolphins migrate south in the fall, so South Carolina’s Atlantic waters are filled with even more dolphins than usual. Autumn also brings a feast for dolphins in South Carolina. With the mullet run and schools of menhaden moving through the area, there’s a chance you might spy a dolphin close to shore getting a bite to eat.

If you’re hoping to spot a dolphin around the Myrtle Beach area, Myrtle Beach State Park ranger Ann Wilson has the inside scoop on where to look.

“I would say any fishing pier, because you’re always further out. You can get a different perspective,” Wilson said. “A lot of times you can see them from the beach, sometimes they can come close to shore.”

The jetty at Huntington State Park and the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park are both good places to try.

Another option is looking farther from shore on a boat. If you don’t have a boat of your own, there are lots of commercial jet ski and boat guided tours specifically for dolphin watching.

“They are probably swimming by every day … it’s all about that it’s got to be at the right time, and there is no right time,” Wilson said.

Although there aren’t actually more dolphins swimming by in the morning, the calmer tide can make them easier to spot, Wilson said. However, glare from the rising sun can also limit visibility in the morning.

Later in the day, the light might make spotting a dolphin easier, but in the afternoon the wind sometimes picks up and makes the tide rougher.

“You won’t see one if you don’t go out there, but don’t get frustrated if you don’t,” Wilson said. “Honestly, it’s just patience and persistence and never giving up.”

Known for their intelligence and playfulness, dolphin behavior can be unpredictable. If they’re hungry, you might see dolphins work as a team to circle their prey or slap the water to stun fish. Wilson has also seen the fun-loving animals leap and even surf the tide.

“I never lose that joy of seeing a dolphin, and I’ve seen them thousands of times,” Wilson said.