Best Time to See Jellyfishes in Florida
March, February and October is the best time to see jellyfishes in Florida. Based on 7,533 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when jellyfishes are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Atlantic Sea Nettle · Pauline Walsh Jacobson CC BY
Cannonball Jelly · zaneotic CC BY
Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly · Public domain CC0
7,533 verified observations of jellyfishes in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
1,159 records (15.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 604 | 8% |
| Februarypeak | 834 | 11.1% |
| Marchpeak | 1,159 | 15.4% |
| April | 486 | 6.5% |
| May | 560 | 7.4% |
| June | 335 | 4.4% |
| July | 367 | 4.9% |
| August | 540 | 7.2% |
| September | 637 | 8.5% |
| Octoberpeak | 763 | 10.1% |
| November | 602 | 8% |
| December | 646 | 8.6% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Cannonball Jelly | 1,745 |
| Southern Moon Jelly | 1,197 |
| Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly | 1,101 |
| Mushroom Jelly | 548 |
| Bay Nettle | 368 |
| Cassiopea xamachana | 303 |
| Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly | 273 |
| Pink Meanie | 174 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when jellyfishes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for jellyfishes sit around 57 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Febbest time | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Apr | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Aug | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Octbest time | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Dec | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of jellyfishes in Florida peak in March, when 1,159 of the year's 7,533 verified observations are logged — about 15.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, February and October.
The quietest stretch is June, July and April, when jellyfishes are hardest to find — June sees just 335 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The jellyfishes you are most likely to encounter in Florida are Cannonball Jelly, Southern Moon Jelly and Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see jellyfishes in Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see jellyfishes in Florida?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, February and October, based on 7,533 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are jellyfishes hardest to see in Florida?+
June is the quietest month for jellyfishes in Florida, with only 335 verified records.
Are jellyfishes active year-round in Florida?+
Jellyfishes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see jellyfishes
More wildlife in Florida