Sharks in Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 121 of the 971 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for sharks in Virginia
12.5%
of yearly sightings
121
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
971
verified records a year
April 10.2%, May 12.5%, June 13%. Busiest month is June at 13%.
971 verified observations of sharks in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
June
126 records (13% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 116 | 11.9% |
| February | 19 | 2% |
| March | 48 | 4.9% |
| April | 99 | 10.2% |
| Maypeak | 121 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 126 | 13% |
| July | 105 | 10.8% |
| August | 70 | 7.2% |
| September | 99 | 10.2% |
| October | 53 | 5.5% |
| November | 49 | 5% |
| December | 66 | 6.8% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Clearnose Skate | 364 |
| Cownose Ray | 70 |
| Atlantic Stingray | 60 |
| Sandbar Shark | 52 |
| Little Skate | 48 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 29 |
| Bluntnose Stingray | 26 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 14 |
In Virginia, May carries 12.5% of the year's sharks sightings, about 4.2 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 rising from April (10.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (13%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Virginia are Clearnose Skate, Cownose Ray 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
- Clearnose Skate364 records
- Cownose Ray70 records
- Atlantic Stingray60 records
- Sandbar Shark52 records
- Little Skate48 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound29 records
Plan your shark trip in Virginia
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 shark viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 121 of the 971 verified sharks sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and January.
What month is best for sharks in Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and January, based on 971 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Clearnose Skate, Cownose Ray and Atlantic Stingray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Virginia in other months
More wildlife in Virginia