Sharks in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 23 of the 218 sightings logged across the year (10.6%), 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 sharks in Alaska
10.6%
of yearly sightings
23
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
218
verified records a year
April 7.8%, May 10.6%, June 14.2%. Busiest month is August at 28.4%.
218 verified observations of sharks in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
August
62 records (28.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.9% |
| February | 5 | 2.3% |
| March | 13 | 6% |
| April | 17 | 7.8% |
| May | 23 | 10.6% |
| Junepeak | 31 | 14.2% |
| Julypeak | 40 | 18.3% |
| Augustpeak | 62 | 28.4% |
| September | 14 | 6.4% |
| October | 8 | 3.7% |
| November | 2 | 0.9% |
| December | 1 | 0.5% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Skate | 50 |
| North Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 42 |
| Longnose Skate | 35 |
| Salmon Shark | 13 |
| Pacific Sleeper Shark | 6 |
| Blue Shark | 4 |
| Alaska Skate | 3 |
| Aleutian Skate | 2 |
In Alaska, May carries 10.6% of the year's sharks sightings, about 2.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.2%) after. The busiest month is August (28.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in Alaska are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate. 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
- Big Skate50 records
- North Pacific Spiny Dogfish42 records
- Longnose Skate35 records
- Salmon Shark13 records
- Pacific Sleeper Shark6 records
- Blue Shark4 records
Plan your shark 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.
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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 shark viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a shark 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 sharks in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 23 of the 218 verified sharks sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 10.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in Alaska?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 218 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska