Sharks in Maryland in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in Maryland. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 63 of the 466 sightings logged across the year (13.5%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for sharks in Maryland
13.5%
of yearly sightings
63
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
466
verified records a year
April 3%, May 13.5%, June 23%. Busiest month is June at 23%.
466 verified observations of sharks in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
107 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.4% |
| February | 8 | 1.7% |
| March | 9 | 1.9% |
| April | 14 | 3% |
| May | 63 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 107 | 23% |
| Julypeak | 86 | 18.5% |
| Augustpeak | 74 | 15.9% |
| September | 35 | 7.5% |
| October | 37 | 7.9% |
| November | 18 | 3.9% |
| December | 13 | 2.8% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Cownose Ray | 99 |
| Clearnose Skate | 63 |
| Atlantic Stingray | 54 |
| Little Skate | 39 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 27 |
| Sandbar Shark | 22 |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 21 |
| Bullnose Eagle Ray | 9 |
In Maryland, May carries 13.5% of the year's sharks sightings, about 5.2 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 is rising from April (3%) into May, and it heads toward June (23%) after. The busiest month is June (23%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in Maryland are Cownose Ray, Clearnose Skate and Atlantic Stingray. 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
- Cownose Ray99 records
- Clearnose Skate63 records
- Atlantic Stingray54 records
- Little Skate39 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound27 records
- Sandbar Shark22 records
Plan your shark trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
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 Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 63 of the 466 verified sharks sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 13.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Maryland?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in Maryland?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 466 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are Cownose Ray, Clearnose Skate and Atlantic Stingray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Maryland in other months
More wildlife in Maryland