Sharks in New York in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see sharks in New York. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 370 of the 1,534 sightings logged across the year (24.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.

Dusky Smooth-hound photographed in New YorkGreat Hammerhead photographed in New YorkBull Shark photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for sharks in New York

24.1%

of yearly sightings

370

records in June

#1

busiest month of 12

1,534

verified records a year

May 14.7%, June 24.1%, July 16.5%. Busiest month is June at 24.1%.

Best months: June, July, MayPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

39 records

MonthObservationsShare
January392.5%
February392.5%
March412.7%
April573.7%
Maypeak22614.7%
Junepeak37024.1%
Julypeak25316.5%
August20013%
September1097.1%
October734.8%
November664.3%
December614%

Sharks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Dusky Smooth-hound566
Clearnose Skate243
Little Skate196
Spiny Dogfish57
Cownose Ray45
Rosette Skate29
Winter Skate25
Sandbar Shark23

In New York, June carries 24.1% of the year's sharks sightings, about 15.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from May (14.7%) into June, and it heads toward July (16.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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 June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June 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 tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see sharks in New York in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 370 of the 1,534 verified sharks sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 24.1% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see sharks in New York?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.

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.