Sharks in Alaska in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see sharks in Alaska. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 40 of the 218 sightings logged across the year (18.3%), 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 sharks in Alaska
18.3%
of yearly sightings
40
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
218
verified records a year
June 14.2%, July 18.3%, August 28.4%. Busiest month is August at 28.4%.
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 |
In Alaska, July carries 18.3% of the year's sharks sightings, about 10 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 June (14.2%) into July, and it heads toward August (28.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Alaska are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Big Skate50 records
- North Pacific Spiny Dogfish42 records
- Longnose Skate35 records
- Salmon Shark13 records
- Pacific Sleeper Shark6 records
- Blue Shark4 records
Plan your shark trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alagnak Wild River
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 Alagnak Wild River
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Alaska.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Alaska
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 Alaska in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 40 of the 218 verified sharks sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 18.3% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see sharks in Alaska?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and June.
What month is best for sharks in Alaska?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 218 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska