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Maptlantis

Seasons by month

Marine life you can see in May

53 pairs in season16 animals4 sourced27 not tied to the month

About this list

This page reads the season tables on the animal pages from the month's side: where to go in May and what you can see there. 53 animal and place pairs are in season in May: 16 animals in 22 places. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks and sperm whales, among others, are in season this month. 4 of them are seasons stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator; the rest are months where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap. Hammerhead sharks in Ecuador, manta rays in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand and manta rays in the Maldives, among others, single out May. 27 pairs that do not depend on the month are listed separately below: resident populations, or operators that list year-round operation. The months are what the source says, not a sighting guarantee. Even within the same month it depends on the sea and migration routes, so ask the operator about recent conditions before you book.

Animals in season in May 53 pairs

Animals and places whose season includes this month. "Source" marks a season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator; "operators" marks a month where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap. Select a place to see its operators, or an animal to see its season table by country.

Hammerhead sharks4 places

Manta rays6 places

Dolphins11 places

Whale sharks4 places

Sperm whales4 places

Humpback whales3 places

Sea turtles4 places

Southern right whales1 place

Sharks3 places

Sea lions3 places

Minke whales1 place

Orcas3 places

Penguins1 place

Thresher sharks1 place

Fin whales2 places

Blue whales2 places

Animals that do not depend on the month 27 pairs

Resident populations, or places where operators list year-round operation. You can meet them this month too, but nothing about this month makes them special, so they come last.

Dugongs2 places

Sea turtles6 places

Sharks3 places

Manta rays4 places

Dolphins5 places

Seals1 place

Sea lions1 place

Sardine runs1 place

Penguins1 place

Sperm whales1 place

Thresher sharks2 places

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Frequently asked questions

What marine life can you see in May?

53 pairs are in season in May, including hammerhead sharks in Ecuador (Dec–May), manta rays in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand (Oct–May), dolphins in Izu Islands, Japan (Apr–Nov), manta rays in Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Nov–May), manta rays in the Maldives (May–Nov) and whale sharks in the Philippines (Nov–May). Select an animal to see its season table by country, or a place to see its operators.

Who decides these months?

Two kinds of evidence. 4 pairs use a season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator, with a source link and check date on each page. The rest are months where the program seasons of two or more operators overlap, marked as based on operator listings.

Why are animals that do not depend on the month listed separately?

Resident populations such as dugongs, sea turtles, sharks and manta rays can be seen in May too, but nothing about this month makes them special, so they come after the animals in season.

If I go in May, will I definitely see them?

That is not guaranteed. A season is the period its source states, and actual sightings vary each year with the sea, water temperature and migration. Ask the operator about recent sightings before you book.