Hammerhead Sharks in Florida in May

Yes, May is a good month to see hammerhead sharks in Florida. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 87 of the 941 sightings logged across the year (9.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 hammerhead sharks in Florida

9.2%

of yearly sightings

87

records in May

#5

busiest month of 12

941

verified records a year

April 5.6%, May 9.2%, June 9.8%. Busiest month is March at 11.4%.

Best months: March, February, October

941 verified observations of hammerhead sharks in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When hammerhead sharks are recorded in Florida

Peak month

March

107 records (11.4% of the year)

Quietest month

August

50 records

MonthObservationsShare
January737.8%
Februarypeak9510.1%
Marchpeak10711.4%
April535.6%
May879.2%
June929.8%
July677.1%
August505.3%
September606.4%
Octoberpeak939.9%
November818.6%
December838.8%

Hammerhead Sharks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bonnethead805
Great Hammerhead55
Scalloped Hammerhead48

In Florida, May carries 9.2% of the year's hammerhead sharks sightings, about 0.9 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 (5.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.8%) after. The busiest month is March (11.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The hammerhead sharks most often recorded in Florida are Bonnethead, Great Hammerhead and Scalloped Hammerhead. 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 hammerhead sharks you are most likely to see

  • Bonnethead805 records
  • Great Hammerhead55 records
  • Scalloped Hammerhead48 records
Plan your tripBig Cypress National Preserve

Plan your hammerhead shark 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see hammerhead sharks in Florida in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 87 of the 941 verified hammerhead sharks sightings logged in Florida across the year, which is 9.2% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see hammerhead sharks in Florida?+

May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though March and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for hammerhead sharks in Florida?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, February and October, based on 941 verified observations.

Which hammerhead sharks are you most likely to see in Florida?+

The most-recorded species in Florida are Bonnethead, Great Hammerhead and Scalloped Hammerhead, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.