Summer Wildlife Calendar: What You Can Spot in Murrells Inlet This Season

Summer is one of the best times to experience the incredible wildlife that makes Murrells Inlet one of the Grand Strand’s most treasured natural destinations. Beyond the beautiful waterfront restaurants and scenic MarshWalk lies a thriving saltwater estuary filled with dolphins, shorebirds, fish, crabs, sea turtles, and countless other fascinating creatures.

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or simply looking for unique things to do near Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet offers unforgettable wildlife encounters all summer long. Here’s your seasonal wildlife calendar and where you can experience it firsthand.

June Through August Wildlife Calendar

🐬 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins

Best Time: All Summer

Dolphins are the stars of Murrells Inlet during the summer months. Pods frequently travel through the inlet and just offshore as they hunt schools of baitfish. Early mornings and evenings often provide especially memorable sightings, although dolphins can appear throughout the day. Murrells Inlet’s protected waters and abundant food supply make it one of the area’s best places to observe these intelligent marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Best Experience: The Dolphin & Sealife Cruise offers guests an incredible opportunity to watch dolphins swimming, playing, and feeding while learning fun facts about the local marine ecosystem from knowledgeable guides.

🦅 Herons, Egrets & Ospreys

Best Time: All Summer

The salt marsh becomes a birdwatcher’s paradise throughout the summer. Great Blue Herons stand patiently along creek edges, Snowy Egrets gracefully search for small fish, Brown Pelicans dive dramatically into the water, and Ospreys soar overhead carrying their latest catch.

Because Murrells Inlet sits within one of South Carolina’s richest estuarine ecosystems, native and migratory birds can be spotted almost every day.

Best Experience: Visit Murrells Inlet’s Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour is led by a knowledgeable naturalist who helps guests identify birds and explains how each species plays an important role in the marsh ecosystem.

🦀 Fiddler Crabs & Blue Crabs

Best Time: Low Tide Throughout Summer

When the tide recedes, thousands of tiny fiddler crabs emerge from the marsh mud, waving their oversized claws while searching for food. Juvenile blue crabs also use the marsh as an important nursery before moving into larger waterways.

These small creatures may seem insignificant, but they form the foundation of the entire food web that supports Murrells Inlet’s thriving wildlife.

🐟 Marsh Fish & Oyster Beds

Best Time: All Summer

Summer is an active season beneath the surface. Schools of mullet, red drum, flounder, shrimp, and countless baitfish utilize the winding creeks and oyster reefs throughout the estuary.

You’ll often notice birds diving into the water where baitfish gather—a sure sign that predators are feeding below.

The Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour gives guests a closer look at these productive habitats while explaining why salt marshes are often called the “nurseries of the sea.”

🐢 Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Best Time: Nesting Season During Summer

Summer also marks sea turtle nesting season along South Carolina’s coast. While sightings in the inlet itself are less common, Loggerhead Sea Turtles regularly inhabit nearby coastal waters and nest on local beaches.

Protecting nesting habitats and practicing responsible boating helps ensure these incredible animals continue returning to the Grand Strand year after year.

🌿 Marsh Plants & Hidden Wildlife

Best Time: Peak Summer Growth

The iconic green spartina grass reaches its full beauty during the summer, creating the perfect backdrop for wildlife photography. Look closely and you may spot marsh snails, oysters, juvenile fish, and countless other small creatures thriving within this unique ecosystem.

The ever-changing tides reveal a completely different landscape every few hours, meaning no two eco tours are ever exactly alike.

Experience Murrells Inlet from the Water

While wildlife can occasionally be spotted from the MarshWalk or public piers, nothing compares to exploring the estuary by boat.

Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour

Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, families, and curious explorers, this guided eco-tour ventures into peaceful creeks where guests discover native birds, marine life, oyster beds, and the fascinating ecology that makes Murrells Inlet so unique. Led by a knowledgeable naturalist, every tour is both relaxing and educational.

Dolphin & Sealife Cruise

If seeing dolphins tops your vacation bucket list, this cruise is a must. The experienced captain navigates local waters where dolphins are frequently spotted, while guests enjoy beautiful coastal scenery and opportunities to observe other marine life along the way. Every trip offers a unique wildlife adventure.

Make Wildlife Watching Part of Your Summer Vacation

Murrells Inlet offers something few destinations can—a chance to experience one of South Carolina’s most vibrant coastal ecosystems up close. Whether you’re watching dolphins surface beside the boat, spotting an osprey diving for fish, or learning about the hidden life of the salt marsh, every outing offers a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the Grand Strand.

This summer, trade crowded attractions for unforgettable encounters with nature. Bring your camera, your curiosity, and your sense of adventure, then discover why Murrells Inlet is one of the best wildlife destinations on the South Carolina coast.