Sharks in Alabama in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in Alabama. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 90 of the 710 sightings logged across the year (12.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for sharks in Alabama
12.7%
of yearly sightings
90
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
710
verified records a year
April 11.3%, May 12.7%, June 18.2%. Busiest month is June at 18.2%.
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 |
In Alabama, May carries 12.7% of the year's sharks sightings, about 4.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (11.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Alabama are Atlantic Stingray, Clearnose Skate and Common Blacktip Shark. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Atlantic Stingray129 records
- Clearnose Skate90 records
- Common Blacktip Shark70 records
- Atlantic Sharpnose Shark49 records
- Lessa's Butterfly Ray41 records
- Caribbean Electric Ray36 records
Plan your shark trip in Alabama
Start with live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main shark viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Alabama
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see sharks in Alabama in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 90 of the 710 verified sharks sightings logged in Alabama across the year, which is 12.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Alabama?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and September.
What month is best for sharks in Alabama?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and September, based on 710 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Alabama?+
The most-recorded species in Alabama are Atlantic Stingray, Clearnose Skate and Common Blacktip Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Alabama in other months
More wildlife in Alabama