Best Time to See Great White Sharks in Florida
February, March and December is the best time to see great white sharks in Florida. Based on 3 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great white sharks are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
3 verified observations of great white sharks in Florida, recorded across 3 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great white sharks are recorded in Florida
Peak month
February
1 records (33.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| Februarypeak | 1 | 33.3% |
| Marchpeak | 1 | 33.3% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 0 | 0% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| Decemberpeak | 1 | 33.3% |
Great White Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great White Shark | 3 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
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 56 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Febbest time | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Apr | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Aug | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Decbest time | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on great white sharks in Florida:
Sightings of great white sharks in Florida peak in February, when 1 of the year's 3 verified observations are logged — about 33.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, March and December.
The quietest stretch is January, April and May, when great white sharks are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. 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 Florida 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 Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great white sharks in Florida?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, March and December, based on 3 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great white sharks hardest to see in Florida?+
January is the quietest month for great white sharks in Florida, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are great white sharks active year-round in Florida?+
Great white sharks are recorded in 3 of 12 months in Florida, concentrated around February and March.
More places to see great white sharks
More wildlife in Florida