Best Time to See Great White Sharks in New York
June, May and August is the best time to see great white sharks in New York. Based on 4 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great white sharks are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
4 verified observations of great white sharks in New York, recorded across 3 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great white sharks are recorded in New York
Peak month
June
2 records (50% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| Maypeak | 1 | 25% |
| Junepeak | 2 | 50% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| Augustpeak | 1 | 25% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Great White Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great White Shark | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great white sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great white sharks sit around 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on great white sharks in New York:
Sightings of great white sharks in New York peak in June, when 2 of the year's 4 verified observations are logged — about 50% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when great white sharks are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great white sharks you are most likely to encounter in New York are Great White Shark — 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 great white sharks in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great white sharks in New York?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and August, based on 4 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great white sharks hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for great white sharks in New York, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are great white sharks active year-round in New York?+
Great white sharks are recorded in 3 of 12 months in New York, concentrated around June and May.
More places to see great white sharks
More wildlife in New York