Jellyfishes in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see jellyfishes in New York. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 134 of the 712 sightings logged across the year (18.8%), 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.
Peak month for jellyfishes in New York
18.8%
of yearly sightings
134
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
712
verified records a year
April 22.3%, May 18.8%, June 6.9%. Busiest month is April at 22.3%.
712 verified observations of jellyfishes in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in New York
Peak month
April
159 records (22.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.1% |
| February | 3 | 0.4% |
| March | 38 | 5.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 159 | 22.3% |
| Maypeak | 134 | 18.8% |
| June | 49 | 6.9% |
| Julypeak | 128 | 18% |
| August | 93 | 13.1% |
| September | 41 | 5.8% |
| October | 33 | 4.6% |
| November | 27 | 3.8% |
| December | 6 | 0.8% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly | 200 |
| Bay Nettle | 66 |
| Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly | 66 |
| Common Moon Jelly | 46 |
| Mushroom Jelly | 39 |
| Cannonball Jelly | 22 |
| Mauve Stinger | 7 |
| Atlantic Sea Nettle | 6 |
In New York, May carries 18.8% of the year's jellyfishes sightings, about 10.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (22.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The jellyfishes most often recorded in New York are Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly, Bay Nettle and Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly. 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 jellyfishes you are most likely to see
- Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly200 records
- Bay Nettle66 records
- Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly66 records
- Common Moon Jelly46 records
- Mushroom Jelly39 records
- Cannonball Jelly22 records
Plan your jellyfish trip in New York
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main jellyfish viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best jellyfish viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a jellyfish tour in New York
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 jellyfishes in New York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 134 of the 712 verified jellyfishes sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 18.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see jellyfishes in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and July.
What month is best for jellyfishes in New York?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and July, based on 712 verified observations.
Which jellyfishes are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly, Bay Nettle and Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See jellyfishes in New York in other months
More places to see jellyfishes