Sharks in New York in August
Yes, August is a good month to see sharks in New York. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 200 of the 1,534 sightings logged across the year (13%), 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 30, 2026.
Good month for sharks in New York
13%
of yearly sightings
200
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
1,534
verified records a year
July 16.5%, August 13%, September 7.1%. Busiest month is June at 24.1%.
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 |
In New York, August carries 13% of the year's sharks sightings, about 4.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (16.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.1%) after. The busiest month is June (24.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sharks most often recorded in New York are Dusky Smooth-hound, Clearnose Skate and Little 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
- Dusky Smooth-hound566 records
- Clearnose Skate243 records
- Little Skate196 records
- Spiny Dogfish57 records
- Cownose Ray45 records
- Rosette Skate29 records
Plan your shark trip in New York
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 York.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in New York
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 York in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 200 of the 1,534 verified sharks sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 13% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see sharks in New York?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sharks in New York?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 1,534 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Dusky Smooth-hound, Clearnose Skate and Little Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.