Great White Sharks in California in May
Yes, May is a good month to see great white sharks in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 36 of the 361 sightings logged across the year (10%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for great white sharks in California
10%
of yearly sightings
36
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
361
verified records a year
April 5%, May 10%, June 20.8%. Busiest month is June at 20.8%.
361 verified observations of great white sharks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great white sharks are recorded in California
Peak month
June
75 records (20.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 2.5% |
| February | 18 | 5% |
| March | 15 | 4.2% |
| April | 18 | 5% |
| May | 36 | 10% |
| Junepeak | 75 | 20.8% |
| Julypeak | 48 | 13.3% |
| August | 37 | 10.2% |
| September | 29 | 8% |
| Octoberpeak | 42 | 11.6% |
| November | 22 | 6.1% |
| December | 12 | 3.3% |
Great White Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great White Shark | 361 |
In California, May carries 10% of the year's great white sharks sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.8%) after. The busiest month is June (20.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The great white sharks most often recorded in California are Great White 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 great white sharks you are most likely to see
- Great White Shark361 records
Plan your great white shark trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main great white shark viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a great white shark tour in California
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 great white sharks in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 36 of the 361 verified great white sharks sightings logged in California across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see great white sharks in California?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for great white sharks in California?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and October, based on 361 verified observations.
Which great white sharks are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Great White Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See great white sharks in California in other months
More wildlife in California