Best Time to See Jellyfishes in Alabama
August, September and October is the best time to see jellyfishes in Alabama. Based on 900 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when jellyfishes are most active across the year in Alabama.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Bay Nettle · Leigha S CC BY
Mushroom Jelly · lejones417 CC BY-SA
Mushroom Jelly · Alex Forsythe CC BY
900 verified observations of jellyfishes in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
August
135 records (15% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 66 | 7.3% |
| February | 89 | 9.9% |
| March | 106 | 11.8% |
| April | 23 | 2.6% |
| May | 38 | 4.2% |
| June | 64 | 7.1% |
| July | 102 | 11.3% |
| Augustpeak | 135 | 15% |
| Septemberpeak | 125 | 13.9% |
| Octoberpeak | 113 | 12.6% |
| November | 20 | 2.2% |
| December | 19 | 2.1% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bay Nettle | 218 |
| Mushroom Jelly | 192 |
| Southern Moon Jelly | 126 |
| Cannonball Jelly | 27 |
| Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly | 27 |
| Pink Meanie | 25 |
| Atlantic Sea Nettle | 19 |
| Common Moon Jelly | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when jellyfishes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for jellyfishes sit around 58 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 5.4" |
| Feb | 63°F | 45°F | 6.3" |
| Mar | 69°F | 50°F | 6" |
| Apr | 75°F | 54°F | 4.9" |
| May | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Jul | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Augbest time | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sepbest time | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Octbest time | 76°F | 58°F | 3.9" |
| Nov | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 60°F | 44°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alabama. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of jellyfishes in Alabama peak in August, when 135 of the year's 900 verified observations are logged — about 15% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and October.
The quietest stretch is December, November and April, when jellyfishes are hardest to find — December sees just 19 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The jellyfishes you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Bay Nettle, Mushroom Jelly and Southern Moon Jelly — 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 jellyfishes in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — National Military Park
- Little River Canyon National Preserve — National Preserve
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Russell Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument — National Monument
- Freedom Riders National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see jellyfishes in Alabama?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and October, based on 900 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are jellyfishes hardest to see in Alabama?+
December is the quietest month for jellyfishes in Alabama, with only 19 verified records.
Are jellyfishes active year-round in Alabama?+
Jellyfishes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see jellyfishes
More wildlife in Alabama