Sharks in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 263 of the 1,648 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 New Jersey
16%
of yearly sightings
263
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,648
verified records a year
April 3.6%, May 16%, June 17.4%. Busiest month is June at 17.4%.
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 |
In New Jersey, May carries 16% of the year's sharks sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in New Jersey are Dusky Smooth-hound, Little Skate and Clearnose Skate. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Dusky Smooth-hound405 records
- Little Skate275 records
- Clearnose Skate253 records
- Cownose Ray86 records
- Spiny Dogfish71 records
- Rosette Skate61 records
Plan your shark trip in New Jersey
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in New Jersey.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 263 of the 1,648 verified sharks sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in New Jersey?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for sharks in New Jersey?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 1,648 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Dusky Smooth-hound, Little Skate and Clearnose Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in New Jersey in other months
More wildlife in New Jersey