Sharks in Mississippi in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in Mississippi. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 24 of the 266 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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 Mississippi
9%
of yearly sightings
24
records in May
#7
busiest month of 12
266
verified records a year
April 12.4%, May 9%, June 12.8%. Busiest month is September at 13.2%.
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 |
In Mississippi, May carries 9% of the year's sharks sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (12.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.8%) after. The busiest month is September (13.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in Mississippi are Atlantic Stingray, Cownose Ray and Bull 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 Stingray93 records
- Cownose Ray45 records
- Bull Shark17 records
- Common Blacktip Shark10 records
- Lemon Shark10 records
- Atlantic Sharpnose Shark10 records
Plan your shark trip in Mississippi
Start with live tours near Gulf Islands National Seashore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Gulf Islands National Seashore
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 Gulf Islands National Seashore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Mississippi.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Mississippi
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 Mississippi in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 24 of the 266 verified sharks sightings logged in Mississippi across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Mississippi?+
May is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though September and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in Mississippi?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, June and July, based on 266 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Mississippi?+
The most-recorded species in Mississippi are Atlantic Stingray, Cownose Ray and Bull Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Mississippi in other months
More wildlife in Mississippi