Best Time to See Sharks in New Jersey
June, May and July is the best time to see sharks in New Jersey. Based on 1,648 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks are most active across the year in New Jersey.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Clearnose Skate · gwt2102 CC BY
Cownose Ray · Samuel Paul Galick CC BY
Little Skate · Zakqary Roy CC BY
1,648 verified observations of sharks in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
June
287 records (17.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 47 | 2.9% |
| February | 44 | 2.7% |
| March | 56 | 3.4% |
| April | 60 | 3.6% |
| Maypeak | 263 | 16% |
| Junepeak | 287 | 17.4% |
| Julypeak | 242 | 14.7% |
| August | 229 | 13.9% |
| September | 128 | 7.8% |
| October | 144 | 8.7% |
| November | 93 | 5.6% |
| December | 55 | 3.3% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 405 |
| Little Skate | 275 |
| Clearnose Skate | 253 |
| Cownose Ray | 86 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 71 |
| Rosette Skate | 61 |
| Sandbar Shark | 40 |
| Bullnose Eagle Ray | 23 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 53 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Apr | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| Maybest time | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Julbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sharks in New Jersey peak in June, when 287 of the year's 1,648 verified observations are logged — about 17.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is February, January and December, when sharks are hardest to find — February sees just 44 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in New Jersey are Dusky Smooth-hound, Little Skate and Clearnose Skate — 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 sharks in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sharks in New Jersey?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 1,648 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in New Jersey?+
February is the quietest month for sharks in New Jersey, with only 44 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in New Jersey?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in New Jersey