Hammerhead Sharks in Hawaii in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 7 of the 61 sightings logged across the year (11.5%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for hammerhead sharks in Hawaii
11.5%
of yearly sightings
7
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
61
verified records a year
April 11.5%, May 11.5%, June 11.5%. Busiest month is March at 14.8%.
61 verified observations of hammerhead sharks in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hammerhead sharks are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
9 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 4.9% |
| February | 1 | 1.6% |
| Marchpeak | 9 | 14.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 7 | 11.5% |
| Maypeak | 7 | 11.5% |
| June | 7 | 11.5% |
| July | 7 | 11.5% |
| August | 4 | 6.6% |
| September | 4 | 6.6% |
| October | 3 | 4.9% |
| November | 4 | 6.6% |
| December | 5 | 8.2% |
Hammerhead Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Scalloped Hammerhead | 59 |
In Hawaii, May carries 11.5% of the year's hammerhead sharks sightings, about 3.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (11.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hammerhead sharks most often recorded in Hawaii are Scalloped Hammerhead. 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 hammerhead sharks you are most likely to see
- Scalloped Hammerhead59 records
Plan your hammerhead shark 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.
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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 hammerhead shark viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 7 of the 61 verified hammerhead sharks sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 11.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hammerhead sharks in Hawaii?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, April and May.
What month is best for hammerhead sharks in Hawaii?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and May, based on 61 verified observations.
Which hammerhead sharks are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Scalloped Hammerhead, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hammerhead sharks in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii