Great White Sharks in California in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see great white sharks in California. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 48 of the 361 sightings logged across the year (13.3%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for great white sharks in California
13.3%
of yearly sightings
48
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
361
verified records a year
June 20.8%, July 13.3%, August 10.2%. Busiest month is June at 20.8%.
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 |
In California, July carries 13.3% of the year's great white sharks sightings, about 5 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 easing off from June (20.8%) into July, and it heads toward August (10.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The great white sharks most often recorded in California are Great White Shark. 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 great white sharks you are most likely to see
- Great White Shark361 records
Plan your great white shark trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main great white shark viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see great white sharks in California in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 48 of the 361 verified great white sharks sightings logged in California across the year, which is 13.3% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see great white sharks in California?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and October.
What month is best for great white sharks in California?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and October, based on 361 verified observations.
Which great white sharks are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Great White Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See great white sharks in California in other months
More wildlife in California