Manatees spotted at Murrells Inlet, SC docks. See one in this video
Gentle giant manatees were seen in South Carolina, popping their heads up at a marina in Murrells Inlet.
Charlie Werner, a local shrimp fisher, posted a video of a manatee in Murrells Inlet on Sunday. In the comments, he said he has seen manatees four times in the past week. The Marlin Quay Marina also shared photos on its Facebook page.
Marina manager Lisa Parker and Werner said it’s not uncommon to see manatees in the Marlin Quay Marina. There are usually a few sightings each summer, although Parker thinks the number of manatees has increased in recent years.
Last year, a mom and baby visited. Parker believes they returned, as she saw a pair of manatees, one large and one small, last week.
Werner said the manatees move in and hang out by the docks during high tide and find other deep channels during low tide. The manatees enjoy eating vegetative growth off the docks. For the most part, the manatees he sees have not been marred by boats.
While Parker is not entirely sure why manatees make their way to the Marlin Quay Marina, she believes it could have something to do with freshwater. Boat owners will spray their boats with freshwater, which she thinks may attract the marine mammals.
Manatees will sometimes make their way up north during the late spring and into the fall, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. They enjoy spending time in waters that are at least 68 degrees. The SCDNR encourages people to report their manatee sightings, which can be done at this website.
Kelly Lambert, the SCDNR manatee response coordinator, said manatees are migratory animals. Since they have a small layer of blubber, they need to stay in warm water, which is why they head north as waters warm.
Manatees can live in salt and fresh water, so they can move into many bodies of water in the Myrtle Beach area. Because ocean waters are murky in South Carolina, they can be difficult to notice. In general, Lambert said there has been an increase in manatee spottings this year.
Remember not to feed or give water to manatees, especially at docks, as that can encourage them to return to spots with heavy boat traffic. It is illegal to pursue, play or harass a manatee.
For tourists and locals, manatees are a rare delight to see. Parker said she’s seen manatees early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so it can be tough to know when to spot one.
“You gotta be here at the right time to see them,” Parker said.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
