Sharks in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 226 of the 1,534 sightings logged across the year (14.7%), 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.
Peak month for sharks in New York
14.7%
of yearly sightings
226
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
1,534
verified records a year
April 3.7%, May 14.7%, June 24.1%. 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, May carries 14.7% of the year's sharks sightings, about 6.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.1%) 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 York are Dusky Smooth-hound, Clearnose Skate and Little 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-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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in New York.
Viator
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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 226 of the 1,534 verified sharks sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 14.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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.