Shark Week 2025: Schedule, How to Watch, and Must-See Shows
Shark Week 2025 is almost here, and Discovery is ready to dive deep into its 37th year with brand-new shows, jaw-dropping documentaries, and some seriously entertaining specials. Running from Sunday, July 20 to Saturday, July 26, Shark Week remains the ultimate celebration of these fascinating ocean predators.
Unlike recent years that featured celebrity hosts like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa, Discovery is keeping things streamlined in 2025 — focusing more on the sharks themselves, with a good balance of education and fun.
When Does Shark Week 2025 Start?
- Start Date: Sunday, July 20
- End Date: Saturday, July 26
- Kick-Off Special: Dancing With Sharks at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery
Shark Week will broadcast exclusively in the U.S. on the Discovery Channel, with streaming options available on HBO Max and Discovery+.
How to Watch Shark Week 2025
On Cable
- Discovery Channel (check your local listings).
Without Cable
Stream Shark Week live on platforms that carry Discovery:
- Sling TV (Blue package, $45/month; first month half price)
- Hulu + Live TV
- DirecTV Stream
- YouTube TV
On Demand
- HBO Max – $9.99/month (episodes available after they air)
- Discovery+ – expected to stream the full lineup after the event
Watching Abroad?
If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll need a VPN to access Shark Week 2025 streams. Services like NordVPN let you connect to a U.S. server so you can enjoy Shark Week anywhere in the world.
Shark Week 2025 Standout Shows
Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:
Dancing With Sharks
📅 Sunday, July 20 | 8 p.m. ET/PT
Hosted by Emmy winner Tom Bergeron, this brand-new special features an unprecedented underwater dance competition between divers and sharks.
Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus
📅 Sunday, July 20 | 9 p.m. ET/PT
Researchers search for Colossus, a legendary great white shark that’s been missing for years.
Great White Sex Battle
📅 Monday, July 21 | 8 p.m. ET/PT
For the first time, male and female great whites compete to see which sex is the superior predator in the waters off New Zealand.
Jaws vs. Mega Croc
📅 Monday, July 21 | 9 p.m. ET/PT
A CGI showdown between two apex predators: the great white shark and the Nile crocodile.
Why Shark Week Matters
Since its debut in 1988, Shark Week has aimed to shift the narrative about sharks — showing them as vital, awe-inspiring animals rather than monsters to fear. While the programming sometimes leans into the spectacle, Discovery has increasingly focused on conservation, education, and scientific exploration.
Final Thoughts
With over 20 hours of brand-new programming, Shark Week 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling yet. Whether you’re tuning in live on Discovery, streaming on HBO Max, or catching up later on Discovery+, this year’s specials promise equal parts fun and fascination.