Sharks in Delaware in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in Delaware. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 124 of the 624 sightings logged across the year (19.9%), 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.
Peak month for sharks in Delaware
19.9%
of yearly sightings
124
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
624
verified records a year
April 3.8%, May 19.9%, June 18.8%. Busiest month is May at 19.9%.
624 verified observations of sharks in Delaware, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Delaware
Peak month
May
124 records (19.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 2.9% |
| February | 22 | 3.5% |
| March | 12 | 1.9% |
| April | 24 | 3.8% |
| Maypeak | 124 | 19.9% |
| Junepeak | 117 | 18.8% |
| Julypeak | 95 | 15.2% |
| August | 81 | 13% |
| September | 26 | 4.2% |
| October | 38 | 6.1% |
| November | 32 | 5.1% |
| December | 35 | 5.6% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Clearnose Skate | 247 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 93 |
| Sandbar Shark | 30 |
| Little Skate | 26 |
| Cownose Ray | 18 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 15 |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 14 |
| Bullnose Eagle Ray | 14 |
In Delaware, May carries 19.9% of the year's sharks sightings, about 11.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.8%) 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 Delaware are Clearnose Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Sandbar 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
- Clearnose Skate247 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound93 records
- Sandbar Shark30 records
- Little Skate26 records
- Cownose Ray18 records
- Spiny Dogfish15 records
Plan your shark trip in Delaware
Start with live tours near Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
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 Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Delaware.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Delaware
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 Delaware in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 124 of the 624 verified sharks sightings logged in Delaware across the year, which is 19.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Delaware?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
What month is best for sharks in Delaware?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 624 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Delaware?+
The most-recorded species in Delaware are Clearnose Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Sandbar Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Delaware in other months
More wildlife in Delaware