Sharks in Massachusetts in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see sharks in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 278 of the 1,926 sightings logged across the year (14.4%), 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 Massachusetts
14.4%
of yearly sightings
278
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
1,926
verified records a year
July 16.6%, August 14.4%, September 7.7%. Busiest month is June at 20.7%.
1,926 verified observations of sharks in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
June
399 records (20.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53 | 2.8% |
| February | 44 | 2.3% |
| March | 75 | 3.9% |
| April | 140 | 7.3% |
| May | 197 | 10.2% |
| Junepeak | 399 | 20.7% |
| Julypeak | 320 | 16.6% |
| Augustpeak | 278 | 14.4% |
| September | 148 | 7.7% |
| October | 99 | 5.1% |
| November | 88 | 4.6% |
| December | 85 | 4.4% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Little Skate | 601 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 282 |
| Winter Skate | 71 |
| Western Atlantic Torpedo | 62 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 55 |
| Clearnose Skate | 49 |
| Basking Shark | 44 |
| Great White Shark | 42 |
In Massachusetts, August carries 14.4% of the year's sharks sightings, about 6.1 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 (16.6%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.7%) 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 Massachusetts are Little Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Winter Skate. 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
- Little Skate601 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound282 records
- Winter Skate71 records
- Western Atlantic Torpedo62 records
- Spiny Dogfish55 records
- Clearnose Skate49 records
Plan your shark trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main shark viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 278 of the 1,926 verified sharks sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 14.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see sharks in Massachusetts?+
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 Massachusetts?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 1,926 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Little Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Winter Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts