Dolphins in Florida in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dolphins in Florida. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 363 of the 4,437 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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 dolphins in Florida
8.2%
of yearly sightings
363
records in May
#6
busiest month of 12
4,437
verified records a year
April 12.5%, May 8.2%, June 7.4%. Busiest month is March at 14.8%.
4,437 verified observations of dolphins in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
657 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 436 | 9.8% |
| February | 425 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 657 | 14.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 553 | 12.5% |
| May | 363 | 8.2% |
| June | 328 | 7.4% |
| July | 277 | 6.2% |
| August | 228 | 5.1% |
| September | 204 | 4.6% |
| October | 222 | 5% |
| November | 290 | 6.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 454 | 10.2% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 3,175 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 833 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 10 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 5 |
| Spinner Dolphin | 2 |
| Orca | 2 |
| False Killer Whale | 2 |
| Pygmy Killer Whale | 1 |
In Florida, May carries 8.2% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (12.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.4%) after. The busiest month is March (14.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dolphins most often recorded in Florida are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Atlantic Spotted Dolphin. 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 dolphins you are most likely to see
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin3,175 records
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin833 records
- Atlantic Spotted Dolphin10 records
- Short-finned Pilot Whale5 records
- Spinner Dolphin2 records
- Orca2 records
Plan your dolphin trip in Florida
Start with live tours near Big Cypress National Preserve, 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 Big Cypress National Preserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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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 dolphins in Florida in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 363 of the 4,437 verified dolphins sightings logged in Florida across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dolphins in Florida?+
May is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dolphins in Florida?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and December, based on 4,437 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in Florida?+
The most-recorded species in Florida are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in Florida in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Florida