Best Time to See Pelicans in Florida
March, January and December is the best time to see pelicans in Florida. Based on 26,078 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans 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.
Brown Pelican · Laura Gaudette CC BY
American White Pelican · Public domain CC0
Brown Pelican · Public domain CC0
26,078 verified observations of pelicans in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
3,954 records (15.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 3,871 | 14.8% |
| February | 3,502 | 13.4% |
| Marchpeak | 3,954 | 15.2% |
| April | 2,542 | 9.7% |
| May | 1,603 | 6.1% |
| June | 1,291 | 5% |
| July | 840 | 3.2% |
| August | 794 | 3% |
| September | 789 | 3% |
| October | 1,152 | 4.4% |
| November | 2,098 | 8% |
| Decemberpeak | 3,642 | 14% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 21,338 |
| American White Pelican | 4,692 |
| Great White Pelican | 6 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 52 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 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" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Decbest time | 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 pelicans in Florida peak in March, when 3,954 of the year's 26,078 verified observations are logged — about 15.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, January and December.
The quietest stretch is September, August and July, when pelicans are hardest to find — September sees just 789 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in Florida are Brown Pelican, American White Pelican and Great White Pelican — 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 pelicans 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 pelicans in Florida?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, January and December, based on 26,078 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Florida?+
September is the quietest month for pelicans in Florida, with only 789 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Florida?+
Pelicans 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 pelicans
More wildlife in Florida