Sharks in Louisiana in April

Yes, April is a good month to see sharks in Louisiana. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 19 of the 187 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 photographed in LouisianaAtlantic Pygmy Devil Ray photographed in LouisianaBull Shark photographed in Louisiana
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for sharks in Louisiana

10.2%

of yearly sightings

19

records in April

#5

busiest month of 12

187

verified records a year

March 8%, April 10.2%, May 11.2%. Busiest month is August at 20.9%.

Best months: August, June, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

1 records

MonthObservationsShare
January42.1%
February10.5%
March158%
April1910.2%
May2111.2%
Junepeak2312.3%
Julypeak2211.8%
Augustpeak3920.9%
September126.4%
October137%
November168.6%
December21.1%

Sharks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Atlantic Stingray55
Bull Shark28
Lemon Shark22
Common Blacktip Shark21
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark10
Cownose Ray4
Finetooth Shark4
Spotted Eagle Ray2

In Louisiana, April carries 10.2% of the year's sharks sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (8%) into April, and it heads toward May (11.2%) after. The busiest month is August (20.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The sharks most often recorded in Louisiana are Atlantic Stingray, Bull Shark and Lemon Shark. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which sharks you are most likely to see

  • Atlantic Stingray55 records
  • Bull Shark28 records
  • Lemon Shark22 records
  • Common Blacktip Shark21 records
  • Atlantic Sharpnose Shark10 records
  • Cownose Ray4 records
Plan your tripJean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Plan your shark trip in Louisiana

Start with live tours near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see sharks in Louisiana in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 19 of the 187 verified sharks sightings logged in Louisiana across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see sharks in Louisiana?+

April is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for sharks in Louisiana?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and July, based on 187 verified observations.

Which sharks are you most likely to see in Louisiana?+

The most-recorded species in Louisiana are Atlantic Stingray, Bull Shark and Lemon Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.