Best Time to See Great White Sharks in California
June, July and October is the best time to see great white sharks in California. Based on 361 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great white sharks are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Great White Shark · Adam J. Searcy CC BY
Great White Shark · Jess Mullins CC BY
Great White Shark · Cricket Raspet CC BY
361 verified observations of great white sharks in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great white sharks are recorded in California
Peak month
June
75 records (20.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 2.5% |
| February | 18 | 5% |
| March | 15 | 4.2% |
| April | 18 | 5% |
| May | 36 | 10% |
| Junepeak | 75 | 20.8% |
| Julypeak | 48 | 13.3% |
| August | 37 | 10.2% |
| September | 29 | 8% |
| Octoberpeak | 42 | 11.6% |
| November | 22 | 6.1% |
| December | 12 | 3.3% |
Great White Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great White Shark | 361 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great white sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great white sharks sit around 46 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Julbest time | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Octbest time | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on great white sharks in California:
Sightings of great white sharks in California peak in June, when 75 of the year's 361 verified observations are logged — about 20.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and October.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when great white sharks are hardest to find — January sees just 9 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great white sharks you are most likely to encounter in California are Great White Shark — 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 great white sharks in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Go see them · California
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Staying over? Compare places to stay near Alcatraz Island
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great white sharks in California?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and October, based on 361 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great white sharks hardest to see in California?+
January is the quietest month for great white sharks in California, with only 9 verified records.
Are great white sharks active year-round in California?+
Great white sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see great white sharks
More wildlife in California