Best Time to See Sharks in Alabama
June, May and September is the best time to see sharks in Alabama. Based on 710 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks 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 June 28, 2026.
Atlantic Stingray · Public domain CC0
Common Blacktip Shark · Tia Offner CC BY
Southern Stingray · Tia Offner CC BY
710 verified observations of sharks in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
June
129 records (18.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 2.7% |
| February | 13 | 1.8% |
| March | 48 | 6.8% |
| April | 80 | 11.3% |
| Maypeak | 90 | 12.7% |
| Junepeak | 129 | 18.2% |
| July | 70 | 9.9% |
| August | 66 | 9.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 89 | 12.5% |
| October | 55 | 7.7% |
| November | 37 | 5.2% |
| December | 14 | 2% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Stingray | 129 |
| Clearnose Skate | 90 |
| Common Blacktip Shark | 70 |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | 49 |
| Lessa's Butterfly Ray | 41 |
| Caribbean Electric Ray | 36 |
| Bluntnose Stingray | 35 |
| Bull Shark | 27 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 62 to 88 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" |
| Maybest time | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Jul | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Aug | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sepbest time | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Oct | 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 sharks in Alabama peak in June, when 129 of the year's 710 verified observations are logged — about 18.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and September.
The quietest stretch is February, December and January, when sharks are hardest to find — February sees just 13 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Atlantic Stingray, Clearnose Skate and Common Blacktip Shark — 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 sharks 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 sharks in Alabama?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and September, based on 710 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Alabama?+
February is the quietest month for sharks in Alabama, with only 13 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Alabama?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Alabama