Bees in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 408 of the 4,821 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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.
Good month for bees in Alaska
8.5%
of yearly sightings
408
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
4,821
verified records a year
April 1.7%, May 8.5%, June 26.2%. Busiest month is July at 40.3%.
4,821 verified observations of bees in Alaska, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
1,941 records (40.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 10 | 0.2% |
| April | 82 | 1.7% |
| May | 408 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 1,261 | 26.2% |
| Julypeak | 1,941 | 40.3% |
| Augustpeak | 965 | 20% |
| September | 144 | 3% |
| October | 6 | 0.1% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 2 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Black-tailed Bumble Bee | 659 |
| Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee | 565 |
| Western Honey Bee | 376 |
| Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee | 329 |
| McKay's Western Bumble Bee | 299 |
| Cryptic Bumble Bee | 217 |
| Forest Bumble Bee | 176 |
| Sitka Bumble Bee | 164 |
In Alaska, May carries 8.5% of the year's bees sightings, about 0.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (1.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (26.2%) after. The busiest month is July (40.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Alaska are Black-tailed Bumble Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee. 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 bees you are most likely to see
- Black-tailed Bumble Bee659 records
- Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee565 records
- Western Honey Bee376 records
- Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee329 records
- McKay's Western Bumble Bee299 records
- Cryptic Bumble Bee217 records
Plan your bee trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alagnak Wild River
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alagnak Wild River
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Alaska.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Alaska
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 bees in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 408 of the 4,821 verified bees sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Alaska?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 4,821 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Black-tailed Bumble Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska