Great White Shark Tours
Great White Shark Tours
We are the closest marina to the shark grounds — about five minutes from our dock. Most Chatham shark tours spend twenty minutes or more just getting out there and back. That difference is the whole trip: our 2.5 hour tours put you on the grounds sooner and keep you there longer, with our spotter plane overhead the entire time.
Great White Shark Tours in Chatham, Cape Cod
Outermost Harbor sits at the elbow of the Cape, right at the Chatham Cut — the closest launch point to the water where the white sharks actually hunt. From our dock it is roughly a five-minute run to the grounds. Tours leaving from marinas further up the harbor spend twenty minutes or more each way, and that time comes out of the part you came for.
Our spotter plane is up for the entire 2.5 hours, not just the first hour. The pilot works ahead of the boat the whole trip, radioing fish down to the captain, so you keep moving from shark to shark instead of drifting and hoping. The result is simply more time on the grounds — and more looks — than any other shark tour running out of Chatham.
Guests learn about shark behavior, migration patterns, the shifting sands of Monomoy, and how the local seal colonies draw the sharks in. During peak season it is not uncommon to see multiple sharks outside the Cut. Sightings are never guaranteed — these are wild animals — but being closest to the grounds with a plane overhead the whole time gives you the best odds available here.
Why Choose Us
There are several shark tours in Chatham. Here is what makes ours different.
We sit right at the Chatham Cut — about five minutes from the grounds. Other tours run twenty minutes or more each way.
Starting closer and staying longer means more of your trip is spent actually watching sharks than on any other tour here.
Not a quick run offshore and back. You get a proper trip on the water.
Our pilot is overhead for all 2.5 hours, working ahead of the boat. Most tours put a plane up for about an hour.
We work with the AWSC, the research organization that studies and tags these sharks. Their charters run from our marina.
Our captains have run these waters for years. They know where the seals are, how the bars shift, and where the fish tend to be.
A family-run Chatham marina, not a booking outfit reselling someone else's boat. You deal with us start to finish.
Tour Highlights
A unique and immersive experience centered on marine wildlife and responsible shark observation.
A longer trip than most — and because we start closer, nearly all of it is spent on the grounds.
The seal colonies here are what draw the white sharks in. It is prime habitat, and it is right outside our inlet.
Up the entire trip, working ahead of the boat and radioing sharks down to the captain.
See the Experience
What to Expect
These tours focus on observation rather than interaction, offering a safe and memorable way to experience sharks in the wild.
- Experienced captains and pilots
- Educational commentary
- Safe shark observation
- Bucket-list wildlife experience
Safety & Conservation Focused
Every tour is conducted responsibly with strong emphasis on safety and marine conservation.
- Safety-first approach
- Wildlife-respectful practices
- Conservation-minded structure
- Professional local guidance
Common Questions
What are my chances of actually seeing a shark?
Good in season, but never guaranteed — these are wild animals and anyone who promises otherwise is selling you something. What we can promise is the best odds available in Chatham: we start closest to the grounds, and our spotter plane is overhead the entire trip finding fish for the captain. From roughly July through October, sightings are common.
When is the best time to go?
White sharks are here from about July into October, with the peak generally August through September as the water warms and the seals are thickest. Earlier and later in the season still produce fish, just less consistently. Calm mornings usually give the best visibility for spotting from the boat. Read our full guide to shark season in Chatham →
How long is the trip?
About 2.5 hours. Because we are only around five minutes from the grounds, almost all of that is spent actually looking for sharks rather than running to and from them.
How does the spotter plane work?
A pilot flies above the boat for the full trip, spotting sharks from the air — far easier than from the water — and radioing positions down to the captain. Most tours put a plane up for about an hour. Ours stays up the whole time, which is why we cover more fish per trip.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, and it is a trip kids tend to remember for life. It is a real ocean trip outside the inlet, so anyone prone to seasickness should take something beforehand. Children must be accompanied by an adult and we carry life jackets in kids' sizes.
What if the weather turns?
If conditions are unsafe we cancel and refund in full. We would rather do that than take you out in a bad chop and have nobody enjoy it. We keep a close eye on the forecast and will call you as early as we can.
What should I bring?
A layer more than you think — it runs cooler offshore. Sunglasses, sunscreen, sneakers or boat shoes, and a camera with some zoom. Binoculars help if you have them.
Where do you depart from?
Outermost Harbor Marine, 83 Seagull Road, Chatham, MA — right at the Chatham Cut. Parking is on site, so there is no shuttle or walk from an off-site lot.
How to Book a Great White Shark Tour
Tours are booked directly through Outermost Harbor Marine. Peak season is typically July through October.
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