Sharks in Virginia in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see sharks in Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 126 of the 971 sightings logged across the year (13%), 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 July 2, 2026.

Sandbar Shark photographed in VirginiaSpiny Dogfish photographed in VirginiaDusky Smooth-hound photographed in Virginia
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for sharks in Virginia

13%

of yearly sightings

126

records in June

#1

busiest month of 12

971

verified records a year

May 12.5%, June 13%, July 10.8%. Busiest month is June at 13%.

Best months: June, May, January

971 verified observations of sharks in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When sharks are recorded in Virginia

Peak month

June

126 records (13% of the year)

Quietest month

February

19 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak11611.9%
February192%
March484.9%
April9910.2%
Maypeak12112.5%
Junepeak12613%
July10510.8%
August707.2%
September9910.2%
October535.5%
November495%
December666.8%

Sharks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Clearnose Skate364
Cownose Ray70
Atlantic Stingray60
Sandbar Shark52
Little Skate48
Dusky Smooth-hound29
Bluntnose Stingray26
Spiny Dogfish14

In Virginia, June carries 13% of the year's sharks sightings, about 4.7 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 holds steady between May and June, and it heads toward July (10.8%) 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 Virginia are Clearnose Skate, Cownose Ray and Atlantic Stingray. 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

  • Clearnose Skate364 records
  • Cownose Ray70 records
  • Atlantic Stingray60 records
  • Sandbar Shark52 records
  • Little Skate48 records
  • Dusky Smooth-hound29 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your shark trip in Virginia

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 Virginia in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 126 of the 971 verified sharks sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 13% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see sharks in Virginia?+

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

What month is best for sharks in Virginia?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and January, based on 971 verified observations.

Which sharks are you most likely to see in Virginia?+

The most-recorded species in Virginia are Clearnose Skate, Cownose Ray and Atlantic Stingray, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.