Jellyfishes in Florida in December
Yes, December is a good month to see jellyfishes in Florida. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 646 of the 7,533 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), 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 jellyfishes in Florida
8.6%
of yearly sightings
646
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
7,533
verified records a year
November 8%, December 8.6%, January 8%. Busiest month is March at 15.4%.
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 |
In Florida, December carries 8.6% of the year's jellyfishes sightings, about 0.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (8%) after. The busiest month is March (15.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The jellyfishes most often recorded in Florida are Cannonball Jelly, Southern Moon Jelly and Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which jellyfishes you are most likely to see
- Cannonball Jelly1,745 records
- Southern Moon Jelly1,197 records
- Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly1,101 records
- Mushroom Jelly548 records
- Bay Nettle368 records
- Cassiopea xamachana303 records
Plan your jellyfish 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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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main jellyfish viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see jellyfishes in Florida in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 646 of the 7,533 verified jellyfishes sightings logged in Florida across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see jellyfishes in Florida?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though March and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for jellyfishes in Florida?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, February and October, based on 7,533 verified observations.
Which jellyfishes are you most likely to see in Florida?+
The most-recorded species in Florida are Cannonball Jelly, Southern Moon Jelly and Mangrove Upsidedown Jelly, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See jellyfishes in Florida in other months
More places to see jellyfishes
More wildlife in Florida