Best Time to See Sharks in New York
June, July and May is the best time to see sharks in New York. Based on 1,534 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 30, 2026.
1,534 verified observations of sharks in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in New York
Peak month
June
370 records (24.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 39 | 2.5% |
| February | 39 | 2.5% |
| March | 41 | 2.7% |
| April | 57 | 3.7% |
| Maypeak | 226 | 14.7% |
| Junepeak | 370 | 24.1% |
| Julypeak | 253 | 16.5% |
| August | 200 | 13% |
| September | 109 | 7.1% |
| October | 73 | 4.8% |
| November | 66 | 4.3% |
| December | 61 | 4% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 566 |
| Clearnose Skate | 243 |
| Little Skate | 196 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 57 |
| Cownose Ray | 45 |
| Rosette Skate | 29 |
| Winter Skate | 25 |
| Sandbar Shark | 23 |
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 sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 45 to 77 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" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 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.
Sightings of sharks in New York peak in June, when 370 of the year's 1,534 verified observations are logged — about 24.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when sharks are hardest to find — January sees just 39 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 York are Dusky Smooth-hound, Clearnose Skate and Little 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 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 sharks in New York?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and May, based on 1,534 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for sharks in New York, with only 39 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in New York?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in New York