Great White Sharks in California in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see great white sharks in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 42 of the 361 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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
11.6%
of yearly sightings
42
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
361
verified records a year
September 8%, October 11.6%, November 6.1%. 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, October carries 11.6% of the year's great white sharks sightings, about 3.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (8%) into October, and it heads toward November (6.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October 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 October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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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Frequently asked questions
Can you see great white sharks in California in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 42 of the 361 verified great white sharks sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see great white sharks in California?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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