Sharks in Maryland in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see sharks in Maryland. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 74 of the 466 sightings logged across the year (15.9%), 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.
Peak month for sharks in Maryland
15.9%
of yearly sightings
74
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
466
verified records a year
July 18.5%, August 15.9%, September 7.5%. Busiest month is June at 23%.
466 verified observations of sharks in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
107 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.4% |
| February | 8 | 1.7% |
| March | 9 | 1.9% |
| April | 14 | 3% |
| May | 63 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 107 | 23% |
| Julypeak | 86 | 18.5% |
| Augustpeak | 74 | 15.9% |
| September | 35 | 7.5% |
| October | 37 | 7.9% |
| November | 18 | 3.9% |
| December | 13 | 2.8% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Cownose Ray | 99 |
| Clearnose Skate | 63 |
| Atlantic Stingray | 54 |
| Little Skate | 39 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 27 |
| Sandbar Shark | 22 |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 21 |
| Bullnose Eagle Ray | 9 |
In Maryland, August carries 15.9% of the year's sharks sightings, about 7.6 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 easing off from July (18.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Maryland are Cownose Ray, Clearnose Skate and Atlantic Stingray. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Cownose Ray99 records
- Clearnose Skate63 records
- Atlantic Stingray54 records
- Little Skate39 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound27 records
- Sandbar Shark22 records
Plan your shark trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
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 Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 74 of the 466 verified sharks sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 15.9% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see sharks in Maryland?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for sharks in Maryland?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 466 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are Cownose Ray, Clearnose Skate and Atlantic Stingray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Maryland in other months
More wildlife in Maryland