Sharks in California in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,321 of the 14,921 sightings logged across the year (8.9%), 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 California
8.9%
of yearly sightings
1,321
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
14,921
verified records a year
April 8.1%, May 8.9%, June 11.7%. Busiest month is July at 14.2%.
14,921 verified observations of sharks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in California
Peak month
July
2,113 records (14.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 540 | 3.6% |
| February | 600 | 4% |
| March | 825 | 5.5% |
| April | 1,202 | 8.1% |
| May | 1,321 | 8.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,741 | 11.7% |
| Julypeak | 2,113 | 14.2% |
| Augustpeak | 2,040 | 13.7% |
| September | 1,634 | 11% |
| October | 1,313 | 8.8% |
| November | 980 | 6.6% |
| December | 612 | 4.1% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Haller's Round Ray | 2,826 |
| Leopard Shark | 2,720 |
| Bat Ray | 2,139 |
| Horn Shark | 1,378 |
| Thornback Guitarfish | 1,043 |
| Shovelnose Guitarfish | 1,003 |
| Swellshark | 547 |
| Great White Shark | 359 |
In California, May carries 8.9% of the year's sharks sightings, about 0.6 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (11.7%) after. The busiest month is July (14.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in California are Haller's Round Ray, Leopard Shark and Bat Ray. 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
- Haller's Round Ray2,826 records
- Leopard Shark2,720 records
- Bat Ray2,139 records
- Horn Shark1,378 records
- Thornback Guitarfish1,043 records
- Shovelnose Guitarfish1,003 records
Plan your 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main shark viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a 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 sharks in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,321 of the 14,921 verified sharks sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in California?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in California?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 14,921 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Haller's Round Ray, Leopard Shark and Bat Ray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in California in other months
More wildlife in California