Best Time to See Sharks in Louisiana
August, June and July is the best time to see sharks in Louisiana. Based on 187 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks are most active across the year in Louisiana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bull Shark · Michael J. Gras CC BY
Bull Shark · Jody Shugart CC BY
Atlantic Stingray · Public domain CC0
187 verified observations of sharks in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
August
39 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 2.1% |
| February | 1 | 0.5% |
| March | 15 | 8% |
| April | 19 | 10.2% |
| May | 21 | 11.2% |
| Junepeak | 23 | 12.3% |
| Julypeak | 22 | 11.8% |
| Augustpeak | 39 | 20.9% |
| September | 12 | 6.4% |
| October | 13 | 7% |
| November | 16 | 8.6% |
| December | 2 | 1.1% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Stingray | 55 |
| Bull Shark | 28 |
| Lemon Shark | 22 |
| Common Blacktip Shark | 21 |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | 10 |
| Cownose Ray | 4 |
| Finetooth Shark | 4 |
| Spotted Eagle Ray | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Louisiana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 73 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 64°F | 46°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 72°F | 54°F | 5.8" |
| Apr | 76°F | 58°F | 7.8" |
| May | 85°F | 67°F | 6" |
| Junbest time | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Julbest time | 91°F | 75°F | 8.2" |
| Augbest time | 93°F | 76°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 80°F | 62°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 69°F | 50°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sharks in Louisiana peak in August, when 39 of the year's 187 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, June and July.
The quietest stretch is February, when sharks are hardest to find — February sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in Louisiana are Atlantic Stingray, Bull Shark and Lemon Shark — 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 sharks in Louisiana
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — National Historical Park and Preserve
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument — National Monument
- Vicksburg National Military Park — National Military Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sharks in Louisiana?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, June and July, based on 187 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Louisiana?+
February is the quietest month for sharks in Louisiana, with only 1 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Louisiana?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Louisiana