Best Time to See Sharks in Washington
July, August and June is the best time to see sharks in Washington. Based on 594 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
School Shark · Charles Swift CC BY
North Pacific Spiny Dogfish · amy pavelchek CC BY
Big Skate · elik03 CC BY
594 verified observations of sharks in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
100 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 3.9% |
| February | 30 | 5.1% |
| March | 21 | 3.5% |
| April | 40 | 6.7% |
| May | 48 | 8.1% |
| Junepeak | 84 | 14.1% |
| Julypeak | 100 | 16.8% |
| Augustpeak | 93 | 15.7% |
| September | 65 | 10.9% |
| October | 39 | 6.6% |
| November | 28 | 4.7% |
| December | 23 | 3.9% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Skate | 235 |
| North Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 138 |
| Longnose Skate | 29 |
| Bluntnose Sixgill Shark | 22 |
| Salmon Shark | 12 |
| Thresher Shark | 6 |
| School Shark | 5 |
| Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 51 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sharks in Washington peak in July, when 100 of the year's 594 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is March, January and December, when sharks are hardest to find — March sees just 21 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Big Skate, North Pacific Spiny Dogfish and Longnose Skate — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see sharks in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sharks in Washington?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 594 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Washington?+
March is the quietest month for sharks in Washington, with only 21 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Washington?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Washington