Sharks in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sharks in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 48 of the 594 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), 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.
Good month for sharks in Washington
8.1%
of yearly sightings
48
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
594
verified records a year
April 6.7%, May 8.1%, June 14.1%. Busiest month is July at 16.8%.
594 verified observations of sharks in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
100 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 3.9% |
| February | 30 | 5.1% |
| March | 21 | 3.5% |
| April | 40 | 6.7% |
| May | 48 | 8.1% |
| Junepeak | 84 | 14.1% |
| Julypeak | 100 | 16.8% |
| Augustpeak | 93 | 15.7% |
| September | 65 | 10.9% |
| October | 39 | 6.6% |
| November | 28 | 4.7% |
| December | 23 | 3.9% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Skate | 235 |
| North Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 138 |
| Longnose Skate | 29 |
| Bluntnose Sixgill Shark | 22 |
| Salmon Shark | 12 |
| Thresher Shark | 6 |
| School Shark | 5 |
| Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark | 4 |
In Washington, May carries 8.1% of the year's sharks sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (6.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.1%) after. The busiest month is July (16.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in Washington are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate. 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
- Big Skate235 records
- North Pacific Spiny Dogfish138 records
- Longnose Skate29 records
- Bluntnose Sixgill Shark22 records
- Salmon Shark12 records
- Thresher Shark6 records
Plan your shark trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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 Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Washington
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 Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 48 of the 594 verified sharks sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Washington?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 594 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington