Bees in Hawaii in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Hawaii. It is the 8th busiest month of the year, with 312 of the 3,784 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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 bees in Hawaii
8.2%
of yearly sightings
312
records in May
#8
busiest month of 12
3,784
verified records a year
April 9.8%, May 8.2%, June 6.8%. Busiest month is November at 10%.
3,784 verified observations of bees in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
November
377 records (10% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 338 | 8.9% |
| February | 327 | 8.6% |
| Marchpeak | 368 | 9.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 372 | 9.8% |
| May | 312 | 8.2% |
| June | 256 | 6.8% |
| July | 236 | 6.2% |
| August | 327 | 8.6% |
| September | 230 | 6.1% |
| October | 311 | 8.2% |
| Novemberpeak | 377 | 10% |
| December | 330 | 8.7% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Honey Bee | 1,948 |
| Valley Carpenter Bee | 859 |
| Emerald Small Carpenter | 146 |
| Anthracite Masked Bee | 83 |
| Nimble Masked Bee | 70 |
| Shadow-winged Resin Bee | 65 |
| Megachile policaris | 51 |
| Tooth-legged Small Carpenter | 42 |
In Hawaii, May carries 8.2% of the year's bees sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 8th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (9.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.8%) after. The busiest month is November (10%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Hawaii are Western Honey Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee and Emerald Small Carpenter. 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 bees you are most likely to see
- Western Honey Bee1,948 records
- Valley Carpenter Bee859 records
- Emerald Small Carpenter146 records
- Anthracite Masked Bee83 records
- Nimble Masked Bee70 records
- Shadow-winged Resin Bee65 records
Plan your bee trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bee tour in Hawaii
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 bees in Hawaii in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 312 of the 3,784 verified bees sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Hawaii?+
May is the 8th busiest month. It is workable, though November and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Hawaii?+
November is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through November, April and March, based on 3,784 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Western Honey Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee and Emerald Small Carpenter, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii