Sharks in Oregon in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see sharks in Oregon. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 63 of the 501 sightings logged across the year (12.6%), 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 28, 2026.
Peak month for sharks in Oregon
12.6%
of yearly sightings
63
records in October
#2
busiest month of 12
501
verified records a year
September 14.8%, October 12.6%, November 11%. Busiest month is September at 14.8%.
501 verified observations of sharks in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
September
74 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32 | 6.4% |
| February | 25 | 5% |
| March | 30 | 6% |
| April | 30 | 6% |
| May | 25 | 5% |
| June | 25 | 5% |
| July | 54 | 10.8% |
| Augustpeak | 55 | 11% |
| Septemberpeak | 74 | 14.8% |
| Octoberpeak | 63 | 12.6% |
| November | 55 | 11% |
| December | 33 | 6.6% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Skate | 330 |
| Salmon Shark | 34 |
| Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark | 14 |
| Longnose Skate | 11 |
| Blue Shark | 8 |
| California Skate | 4 |
| School Shark | 3 |
| Pacific Sleeper Shark | 3 |
In Oregon, October carries 12.6% of the year's sharks sightings, about 4.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (14.8%) into October, and it heads toward November (11%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Oregon are Big Skate, Salmon Shark and Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which sharks you are most likely to see
- Big Skate330 records
- Salmon Shark34 records
- Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark14 records
- Longnose Skate11 records
- Blue Shark8 records
- California Skate4 records
Plan your shark trip in Oregon
Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main shark viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Oregon.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Oregon
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 Oregon in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 63 of the 501 verified sharks sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 12.6% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see sharks in Oregon?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, October and August.
What month is best for sharks in Oregon?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, October and August, based on 501 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Big Skate, Salmon Shark and Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Oregon in other months
More wildlife in Oregon