Sharks in Louisiana in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in Louisiana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 21 of the 187 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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 sharks in Louisiana
11.2%
of yearly sightings
21
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
187
verified records a year
April 10.2%, May 11.2%, June 12.3%. Busiest month is August at 20.9%.
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 |
In Louisiana, May carries 11.2% of the year's sharks sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (12.3%) 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 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 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main shark viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Louisiana.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Louisiana
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 sharks in Louisiana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 21 of the 187 verified sharks sightings logged in Louisiana across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Louisiana?+
May is the 4th 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.
See sharks in Louisiana in other months
More wildlife in Louisiana