Sharks in Hawaii in April
Yes, April is a good month to see sharks in Hawaii. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 162 of the 1,987 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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.
Good month for sharks in Hawaii
8.2%
of yearly sightings
162
records in April
#7
busiest month of 12
1,987
verified records a year
March 7.8%, April 8.2%, May 8.9%. Busiest month is December at 10.5%.
1,987 verified observations of sharks in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
December
208 records (10.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 158 | 8% |
| February | 126 | 6.3% |
| March | 155 | 7.8% |
| April | 162 | 8.2% |
| May | 176 | 8.9% |
| Junepeak | 182 | 9.2% |
| July | 172 | 8.7% |
| August | 174 | 8.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 179 | 9% |
| October | 139 | 7% |
| November | 156 | 7.9% |
| Decemberpeak | 208 | 10.5% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Reef Manta Ray | 592 |
| Whitetip Reef Shark | 470 |
| White-spotted Eagle Ray | 415 |
| Galápagos Shark | 116 |
| Sandbar Shark | 70 |
| Scalloped Hammerhead | 59 |
| Tiger Shark | 49 |
| Black Stingray | 35 |
In Hawaii, April carries 8.2% of the year's sharks sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between March and April, and it heads toward May (8.9%) after. The busiest month is December (10.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in Hawaii are Reef Manta Ray, Whitetip Reef Shark and White-spotted Eagle Ray. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Reef Manta Ray592 records
- Whitetip Reef Shark470 records
- White-spotted Eagle Ray415 records
- Galápagos Shark116 records
- Sandbar Shark70 records
- Scalloped Hammerhead59 records
Plan your shark trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
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 Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Hawaii
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 Hawaii in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 162 of the 1,987 verified sharks sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see sharks in Hawaii?+
April is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though December and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in Hawaii?+
December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, June and September, based on 1,987 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Reef Manta Ray, Whitetip Reef Shark and White-spotted Eagle Ray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii