Best Time to See Sharks in Alaska
August, July and June is the best time to see sharks in Alaska. Based on 218 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Salmon Shark · Public domain CC0
North Pacific Spiny Dogfish · Cole Wolf CC BY
Longnose Skate · Matt Muir CC BY
218 verified observations of sharks in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
August
62 records (28.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.9% |
| February | 5 | 2.3% |
| March | 13 | 6% |
| April | 17 | 7.8% |
| May | 23 | 10.6% |
| Junepeak | 31 | 14.2% |
| Julypeak | 40 | 18.3% |
| Augustpeak | 62 | 28.4% |
| September | 14 | 6.4% |
| October | 8 | 3.7% |
| November | 2 | 0.9% |
| December | 1 | 0.5% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Skate | 50 |
| North Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 42 |
| Longnose Skate | 35 |
| Salmon Shark | 13 |
| Pacific Sleeper Shark | 6 |
| Blue Shark | 4 |
| Alaska Skate | 3 |
| Aleutian Skate | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 50 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sharks in Alaska peak in August, when 62 of the year's 218 verified observations are logged — about 28.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and June.
The quietest stretch is December, when sharks are hardest to find — December sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see sharks in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sharks in Alaska?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and June, based on 218 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for sharks in Alaska, with only 1 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Alaska?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Alaska