Sharks in Rhode Island in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see sharks in Rhode Island. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 61 of the 393 sightings logged across the year (15.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for sharks in Rhode Island
15.5%
of yearly sightings
61
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
393
verified records a year
July 17%, August 15.5%, September 8.7%. Busiest month is June at 19.3%.
393 verified observations of sharks in Rhode Island, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Rhode Island
Peak month
June
76 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 3.1% |
| February | 16 | 4.1% |
| March | 13 | 3.3% |
| April | 31 | 7.9% |
| May | 36 | 9.2% |
| Junepeak | 76 | 19.3% |
| Julypeak | 67 | 17% |
| Augustpeak | 61 | 15.5% |
| September | 34 | 8.7% |
| October | 21 | 5.3% |
| November | 18 | 4.6% |
| December | 8 | 2% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Little Skate | 105 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 85 |
| Clearnose Skate | 46 |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 9 |
| Rosette Skate | 9 |
| Winter Skate | 6 |
| Western Atlantic Torpedo | 4 |
| Basking Shark | 3 |
In Rhode Island, August carries 15.5% of the year's sharks sightings, about 7.2 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 easing off from July (17%) into August, and it heads toward September (8.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Rhode Island are Little Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Clearnose 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
- Little Skate105 records
- Dusky Smooth-hound85 records
- Clearnose Skate46 records
- Sand Tiger Shark9 records
- Rosette Skate9 records
- Winter Skate6 records
Plan your shark trip in Rhode Island
Start with live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical 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 Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Rhode Island.
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Broader backupBook a shark tour in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 61 of the 393 verified sharks sightings logged in Rhode Island across the year, which is 15.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see sharks in Rhode Island?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for sharks in Rhode Island?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 393 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Rhode Island?+
The most-recorded species in Rhode Island are Little Skate, Dusky Smooth-hound and Clearnose Skate, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Rhode Island in other months
More wildlife in Rhode Island