New Jersey’s coastal waters might surprise you with their diversity. While many beachgoers assume sharks stay far offshore, at least a dozen species regularly patrol the waters from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
Some arrive seasonally following warm currents, while others call these waters home year-round. Understanding which sharks swim in New Jersey helps you appreciate the complexity of local marine ecosystems and stay informed during your beach visits.
You’ll find everything from docile bottom-dwellers to apex predators in these waters. This guide covers the shark species most commonly encountered along New Jersey’s 130-mile coastline, including identification features, seasonal patterns, and what their presence means for swimmers and anglers.
Whether you’re planning a beach day or simply curious about marine life, knowing these species transforms how you view the Atlantic.
1. Sand Tiger Shark
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) ranks among the most frequently spotted large sharks along the Jersey Shore, particularly during summer months.
Despite their intimidating appearance with protruding, ragged teeth visible even when their mouths are closed, these sharks pose minimal threat to humans and have never been involved in a fatal attack in New Jersey waters.
Key Insight: Sand tiger sharks can gulp air at the surface to achieve neutral buoyancy, allowing them to hover motionlessly in the water column—a unique ability among sharks that helps them ambush prey efficiently.
You can identify sand tigers by their stocky, brown-gray bodies covered with reddish or brownish spots, reaching lengths of 6.5 to 10.5 feet.
They prefer coastal areas, shipwrecks, and rocky reefs where they hunt for fish, rays, and crustaceans. New Jersey serves as critical habitat for this species, with several documented aggregation sites between May and October when water temperatures climb above 60°F.
The Delaware Bay and waters off Atlantic City function as nursery grounds where juvenile sand tigers spend their first few years. Conservation efforts have helped stabilize populations after decades of decline, though they remain protected under various fishing regulations. Their slow reproduction rate—females produce just two pups every other year—makes population recovery challenging.
2. Sandbar Shark
Sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) dominate New Jersey’s nearshore waters during warmer months, often swimming within 100 yards of popular beaches.
These medium-sized sharks typically measure 5 to 8 feet long with distinctive tall, triangular dorsal fins that occasionally break the surface and cause alarm among beachgoers.
Their brown-gray coloring provides excellent camouflage over sandy bottoms where they hunt for bottom-dwelling fish, crabs, and squid.
Sandbar sharks favor water temperatures between 70-80°F and migrate northward from the Carolinas as ocean temperatures rise in late spring, typically arriving in New Jersey waters by June.
Pro Tip: If you spot a shark fin in shallow water at New Jersey beaches, it’s most likely a sandbar shark. They commonly hunt in the surf zone during dawn and dusk, feeding on the abundant fish populations that thrive in these transitional areas.
New Jersey’s bays and estuaries serve as essential nursery habitat for juvenile sandbar sharks. Great Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Little Egg Harbor provide protected environments where young sharks spend their first several years before venturing into open ocean.
These nursery grounds support one of the most robust sandbar shark populations along the Atlantic coast, with tagging studies revealing that some individuals return to New Jersey waters annually for decades.
Sandbar sharks face strict harvest prohibitions in recreational and commercial fisheries due to their vulnerable status. Their late maturity—males don’t reproduce until age 13, females not until age 16—and low reproductive rate make population management critical. Scientists monitor these populations closely through acoustic telemetry and tagging programs that track movement patterns.
3. Blue Shark
Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are pelagic wanderers that occasionally venture close to New Jersey’s continental shelf, particularly during summer when they follow warm Gulf Stream eddies northward.
Their brilliant indigo-blue backs fading to white bellies make them among the most visually striking sharks in Atlantic waters. These slender, graceful sharks grow 6 to 10 feet long with distinctively long pectoral fins that resemble airplane wings.
Blue sharks primarily inhabit offshore waters beyond the 100-fathom line, but warm-water intrusions can bring them within recreational fishing range. They feed predominantly on squid and small schooling fish, often diving to depths exceeding 1,000 feet during foraging expeditions.
Anglers prize blue sharks for their acrobatic fights and accessibility during offshore fishing trips. Charter boats departing from Barnegat Light, Belmar, and Cape May regularly encounter blues during summer months, with some trips specifically targeting this species using chum slicks and fresh bait.
Important Note: Blue sharks rank among the most abundant shark species globally, but population studies suggest Atlantic stocks face pressure from commercial bycatch. While they’re not protected in New Jersey recreational fisheries, catch-and-release practices help maintain healthy populations.
Their remarkable migratory behavior takes them across entire ocean basins. Tagging studies reveal blue sharks travel thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds, with some individuals tagged off New Jersey later recovered near Europe and Africa. These migrations make them vulnerable to international fishing pressure.
4. Shortfin Mako Shark
The shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) earns recognition as the fastest shark species, capable of burst speeds exceeding 45 mph and spectacular leaps up to 20 feet above the water surface.
These athletic predators occasionally visit New Jersey’s offshore waters during summer, thrilling sport fishermen seeking one of the ocean’s most challenging game fish.
Makos display metallic blue backs, white undersides, and pointed snouts that distinguish them from similar species. They typically measure 6 to 10 feet long, though individuals exceeding 12 feet occasionally appear in local waters.
Their torpedo-shaped bodies and powerful tails generate incredible acceleration, allowing them to capture fast-moving prey like tuna, swordfish, and other sharks.
New Jersey represents the northern extent of the shortfin mako’s regular summer range along the Atlantic coast. They follow warm-water masses and prey concentrations, typically arriving in offshore waters by June and departing by October. The Hudson Canyon and continental shelf edge provide prime hunting grounds where makos ambush prey ascending from deep water.
Common Mistake: Confusing makos with porbeagles occurs frequently since both species inhabit similar offshore habitats. Makos have longer, more pointed snouts and lack the distinctive white patch on the porbeagle’s dorsal fin trailing edge.
Sport fishing for makos has declined significantly due to strict recreational fishing regulations implemented in recent years. Current federal rules prohibit retention of shortfin makos, requiring immediate release of all captured individuals. These protections respond to population assessments indicating the Atlantic mako stock has been overfished for decades.
5. Thresher Shark
Thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus) are unmistakable due to their extraordinarily long upper tail lobes that can equal the length of their entire body. These unique predators use their tail like a whip, stunning schools of fish with powerful strikes before consuming the disoriented prey. Three thresher species exist globally, but the common thresher predominates in New Jersey offshore waters.
Adult threshers reach impressive sizes of 10 to 18 feet total length, with nearly half that measurement comprising the distinctive tail. They inhabit offshore waters along the continental shelf during summer months, following schools of bluefish, menhaden, and mackerel that constitute their primary diet.
You’ll rarely encounter threshers near shore, as they prefer deeper waters beyond the 20-fathom line. Charter fishing boats occasionally hook these sharks while targeting other pelagic species, though their populations have declined significantly due to commercial fishing pressure. Threshers command high prices in international markets, making them targets for longline fisheries operating in Atlantic waters.
Their meat quality and valuable fins made threshers commercially important historically, but current fishing pressure has triggered conservation concerns.
Studies indicate Atlantic thresher populations have experienced substantial decline over recent decades. New Jersey commercial and recreational fishermen face strict regulations regarding thresher retention and reporting.
Pro Tip: Thresher sharks sometimes breach completely out of the water while hunting, creating spectacular displays visible from boats. If you spot a shark leaping with an exceptionally long tail, you’re witnessing one of nature’s most unique hunting strategies in action.
6. Tiger Shark
Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) represent rare but noteworthy visitors to New Jersey waters, typically appearing during exceptionally warm summers when Gulf Stream currents push close to shore. These large, stocky sharks earn their name from the dark vertical bars visible on younger individuals, though these markings fade with age.
Adult tiger sharks range from 10 to 14 feet long, with some exceptional individuals exceeding 16 feet. They’re distinguished by their blunt, broad snouts, large heads, and serrated teeth designed to cut through tough prey including sea turtles, marine mammals, and other sharks.
Their reputation as aggressive feeders stems from their willingness to investigate and consume almost anything, including non-food items. While tiger sharks rank among the species most frequently involved in shark attacks globally, encounters in New Jersey remain extremely rare.
Documented sightings occur sporadically, usually during August and September when ocean temperatures peak. Most sightings happen in offshore waters, though occasional nearshore appearances generate significant media attention.
Important Note: The infamous 1916 shark attacks in New Jersey—which inspired the novel and film “Jaws”—included four fatal attacks over 12 days. While a great white was blamed initially, some researchers now believe a rogue bull shark or tiger shark may have been responsible for some attacks.
Tiger sharks play crucial roles in marine ecosystems as apex predators that regulate prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Their wide-ranging diet includes species other predators avoid, helping control populations of sick or injured animals. Recent tracking studies reveal these sharks undertake vast migrations across ocean basins.
7. Great White Shark
Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) capture public imagination like no other species, and their presence in New Jersey waters has increased in recent years.
These apex predators visit the Garden State seasonally, with documented sightings rising substantially since 2010 as seal populations rebound along the mid-Atlantic coast.
Adult great whites range from 11 to 16 feet long, though exceptional individuals may exceed 20 feet. They’re identified by their conical snouts, black eyes, prominent dorsal fins, and distinctive countershading—gray backs and white bellies that provide camouflage when viewed from above or below.
Their powerful, torpedo-shaped bodies and massive jaws filled with serrated, triangular teeth make them formidable predators. New Jersey waters serve as migration corridors for great whites traveling between northern feeding grounds and southern breeding areas.
They typically pass through between late spring and fall, with peak sightings occurring during May-June and September-October. Most encounters happen offshore, though occasional nearshore sightings prompt beach closures.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Prey in NJ Waters | Seals, large fish, rays, smaller sharks |
| Typical Depth Range | Surface to 4,000+ feet (capable of deep dives) |
| Peak Activity Period | Dawn and dusk (crepuscular hunters) |
| Average Time in NJ Waters | 2-8 weeks during migration periods |
| Closest Approach to Shore | Occasionally within 100 yards of beaches |
Great whites show particular interest in areas with seal populations, including waters around Barnegat Inlet and along the Raritan Bay where harbor seals winter. Recent tagging efforts track individual white sharks, revealing that some return to New Jersey waters annually following predictable migration patterns.
Despite their fearsome reputation, great whites rarely interact with humans in New Jersey. When encounters occur, they typically involve investigatory behavior rather than predation. The species is protected under various regulations, prohibiting harvest in recreational and commercial fisheries.
8. Smooth Dogfish
Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) are small, abundant sharks that thrive in New Jersey’s coastal waters from spring through fall. These unassuming sharks rarely exceed 5 feet in length and pose zero threat to humans, instead focusing their feeding efforts on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
Their slender, gray-brown bodies lack the prominent dorsal spines found on spiny dogfish, making them easily distinguishable. Smooth dogfish have flattened teeth arranged in a pavement-like pattern, perfectly adapted for crushing the hard-shelled invertebrates that dominate their diet. You’ll find them in bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters over sandy or muddy bottoms.
Shore-based and boat anglers frequently catch smooth dogfish, which provide excellent sport on light tackle despite their modest size. They’re commonly caught from fishing piers, jetties, and surf fishing locations throughout the state.
Their mild-flavored flesh makes them suitable for consumption, and they’re sometimes marketed as “Cape shark” in fish markets.
Pro Tip: Smooth dogfish make excellent shark species for novice anglers to target. They fight vigorously, are abundant in accessible waters, and their small size makes them manageable without specialized equipment. Use bottom rigs with clam, squid, or fish baits.
New Jersey’s bays function as critical nursery areas for smooth dogfish, with females giving birth to live young in shallow, protected waters during late spring and summer.
Litters range from 4 to 20 pups, each measuring about 12 inches at birth. These nursery areas support dense populations of juvenile sharks that grow rapidly on the abundant prey available in estuarine environments.
9. Spiny Dogfish
Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) rank among the most abundant shark species in the Northwest Atlantic, forming large schools that migrate seasonally along the coast.
These small sharks rarely exceed 4 feet in length and feature two prominent spines—one in front of each dorsal fin—that can deliver mildly venomous puncture wounds when handled carelessly.
Their gray coloring, slender bodies, and white-spotted flanks distinguish them from smooth dogfish. Spiny dogfish lack anal fins, another key identifying feature.
They inhabit cooler waters than most shark species, preferring temperatures between 45-59°F, which brings them into New Jersey waters during spring and fall as they migrate between Canadian and southern U.S. waters.
Commercial fisheries historically targeted spiny dogfish heavily, and they remain important in some markets, particularly in Europe where they’re sold as “rock salmon” for fish and chips. However, decades of intense fishing pressure depleted populations significantly, leading to strict management measures implemented in recent years.
These sharks exhibit remarkable longevity, with females living up to 80 years and males reaching 40 years or more. Their extremely long gestation period—18 to 24 months, among the longest of any vertebrate—makes populations vulnerable to overfishing. Females don’t reach maturity until 12-15 years old, producing 2-15 pups per litter.
Common Mistake: Grabbing spiny dogfish behind the head like other fish results in painful spine punctures. Always handle these sharks carefully, gripping them firmly around the belly while avoiding the dorsal spines.
10. Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead sharks occasionally visit New Jersey waters during peak summer months, with the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) and smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) representing the most likely species encountered.
These distinctive sharks with laterally expanded heads resemble underwater mallets swimming through the ocean. The bizarre head shape serves multiple purposes, including enhanced sensory perception and improved maneuverability.
Ampullae of Lorenzini—electroreceptors that detect electrical fields generated by prey—cover the hammer’s broad surface, providing hammerheads with exceptional prey-detection abilities. They use their heads like metal detectors, sweeping over sandy bottoms to locate buried rays and flatfish.
New Jersey sightings remain relatively rare compared to southern states, but warm-water years bring small numbers of hammerheads into local waters.
Most encounters occur offshore in waters deeper than 60 feet, though occasional nearshore sightings generate excitement among beachgoers and anglers. Scalloped hammerheads typically measure 5 to 8 feet, while smooth hammerheads can reach 10 to 13 feet.
Both species feed primarily on stingrays, their favorite prey, along with other fish, squid, and crustaceans. The scalloped hammerhead has been documented forming large schools numbering in the hundreds, though this behavior typically occurs in tropical waters rather than temperate areas like New Jersey.
Conservation concerns surround both species due to population declines driven by overfishing, particularly targeting their valuable fins. Hammerheads face protected status under various regulations, with scalloped hammerheads listed as endangered in certain regions.
11. Bull Shark
Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) rank among the most dangerous shark species globally due to their aggressive nature, substantial size, and ability to tolerate freshwater—allowing them to penetrate rivers and estuaries where human encounters increase. While more common in southern waters, bull sharks occasionally appear in New Jersey during exceptionally warm years.
These stocky, gray sharks typically measure 7 to 11 feet long with blunt, rounded snouts and small eyes. Their unique physiology allows them to regulate salt concentrations in their blood, enabling extended stays in freshwater and brackish environments. Bull sharks can swim far upstream in major river systems, including documented appearances in the Delaware River.
Important Note: Some experts believe bull sharks may have been responsible for the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks that killed four people, including two in Matawan Creek—a tidal creek 15 miles inland from the ocean. Bull sharks’ freshwater tolerance makes them the only shark species capable of being responsible for those inland attacks.
Their presence in New Jersey waters remains sporadic and unpredictable, typically associated with unusually warm summers when Gulf Stream currents push close to shore. Most documented encounters occur in southern New Jersey waters, particularly around Cape May and in Delaware Bay where salinity levels vary.
Bull sharks feed opportunistically on virtually any available prey including fish, rays, dolphins, turtles, birds, and other sharks. Their reputation for aggression stems from documented attacks in shallow waters and their tendency to bump potential prey before attacking. Despite this, confirmed bull shark encounters in New Jersey remain extremely rare.
12. Porbeagle Shark
Porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) are cold-water specialists that inhabit New Jersey’s offshore waters primarily during cooler months, representing the only shark species that becomes more common locally during fall and winter.
These robust, stocky sharks closely resemble their relatives, the mako and great white sharks, sharing similar body shapes and predatory lifestyles.
Adult porbeagles typically measure 5 to 8 feet long with blue-gray backs, white bellies, and distinctive white patches on the trailing edges of their dorsal fins—a key identifying feature.
Their conical snouts, large black eyes, and powerful, crescent-shaped tails mark them as members of the mackerel shark family, which includes some of the ocean’s most formidable predators.
These sharks prefer water temperatures between 35-60°F, making them well-adapted to the North Atlantic’s frigid conditions. They hunt actively for fish and squid, showing particular fondness for schools of herring, mackerel, and lancetfish.
Porbeagles can maintain body temperatures several degrees above ambient water temperature through specialized circulatory adaptations, enhancing their hunting efficiency in cold water.
| Characteristic | Porbeagle | Shortfin Mako (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Dorsal Fin Marking | White patch on trailing edge | No white patch |
| Snout Shape | Shorter, more rounded | Longer, more pointed |
| Preferred Water Temp | 35-60°F | 60-75°F |
| Seasonal Presence in NJ | Fall-Winter peak | Summer only |
Sport fishermen occasionally encounter porbeagles during offshore fishing trips, particularly when targeting cod and other groundfish during cooler months.
They provide excellent sport on rod and reel, fighting powerfully despite their smaller size compared to makos. Current regulations protect porbeagles from retention, requiring immediate release of all captured individuals.
Population assessments indicate Atlantic porbeagle stocks have declined substantially due to commercial fishing pressure, particularly from international longline fleets.
Their slow reproductive rate—females produce just four to six pups per litter every year—makes recovery challenging. Conservation measures implemented in recent years aim to rebuild depleted populations.
Conclusion
New Jersey’s dozen shark species demonstrate the remarkable diversity of Atlantic coastal ecosystems. From the sleek, high-speed makos hunting offshore to the abundant dogfish patrolling nearshore waters, each species fills a specific ecological role.
These sharks help maintain healthy fish populations, control disease by removing sick individuals, and serve as indicators of ocean health.
Your chances of encountering potentially dangerous species remain extremely low. Of the 12 sharks covered here, only great whites, bull sharks, and tiger sharks pose realistic threats—and even these species rarely interact with humans in New Jersey waters.
The state averages less than one shark incident per decade, making shark encounters far less dangerous than many common beach hazards.
Continued monitoring of shark populations through tagging studies, acoustic telemetry, and population surveys provides crucial data for management decisions.
As apex and mesopredators, sharks play essential roles in maintaining balanced marine ecosystems. Understanding these species helps you appreciate their importance while making informed decisions during your time at the Shore.
