Best Time to See Sharks in Mississippi
September, June and July is the best time to see sharks in Mississippi. Based on 266 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Atlantic Stingray · Tia Offner CC BY
Atlantic Stingray · Magdalena Porycki CC BY-SA
Cownose Ray · Abby Darrah CC BY
266 verified observations of sharks in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
September
35 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 3.4% |
| February | 4 | 1.5% |
| March | 16 | 6% |
| April | 33 | 12.4% |
| May | 24 | 9% |
| Junepeak | 34 | 12.8% |
| Julypeak | 34 | 12.8% |
| August | 25 | 9.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 35 | 13.2% |
| October | 31 | 11.7% |
| November | 13 | 4.9% |
| December | 8 | 3% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Stingray | 93 |
| Cownose Ray | 45 |
| Bull Shark | 17 |
| Common Blacktip Shark | 10 |
| Lemon Shark | 10 |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | 10 |
| Bluntnose Stingray | 9 |
| Finetooth Shark | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 69 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Apr | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Junbest time | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Julbest time | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sepbest time | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sharks in Mississippi peak in September, when 35 of the year's 266 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, June and July.
The quietest stretch is February, when sharks are hardest to find — February sees just 4 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 Mississippi are Atlantic Stingray, Cownose Ray and Bull 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 Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sharks in Mississippi?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, June and July, based on 266 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Mississippi?+
February is the quietest month for sharks in Mississippi, with only 4 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Mississippi?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Mississippi