Monarch Butterflies in Florida in May
Yes, May is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Florida. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,641 of the 17,616 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), 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 monarch butterflies in Florida
9.3%
of yearly sightings
1,641
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
17,616
verified records a year
April 16.9%, May 9.3%, June 6.3%. Busiest month is April at 16.9%.
17,616 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Florida
Peak month
April
2,984 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,252 | 7.1% |
| February | 1,175 | 6.7% |
| Marchpeak | 1,868 | 10.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,984 | 16.9% |
| May | 1,641 | 9.3% |
| June | 1,113 | 6.3% |
| July | 822 | 4.7% |
| August | 1,048 | 5.9% |
| September | 1,073 | 6.1% |
| Octoberpeak | 1,667 | 9.5% |
| November | 1,620 | 9.2% |
| December | 1,353 | 7.7% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 17,616 |
In Florida, May carries 9.3% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 1 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 is easing off from April (16.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.3%) after. The busiest month is April (16.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Florida are Monarch. 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 monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch17,616 records
Plan your monarch butterfly 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.
GetYourGuide
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 monarch butterfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Cypress National Preserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best monarch butterfly viewing area in Florida.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly tour in Florida
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 monarch butterflies in Florida in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,641 of the 17,616 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Florida across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see monarch butterflies in Florida?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Florida?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and October, based on 17,616 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Florida?+
The most-recorded species in Florida are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Florida in other months
More wildlife in Florida