Shark Week 2021: Your guide to all 32 specials

Finally, it's safe to leave the house again again. But don't wander out too far past the break this summer, because danger lurks. Brace for the return of Discovery's summer tradition, 33 years running: a giant wave of programming focused on the fierce apex hunter of the sea. This year's festivities boast a record number of hours of programming (45) and specials (32) — and it all begins unusually early, with a trio of specials debuting July 1 on Discovery+. (Forget normal-size predators of Oz, these are Mega Predators of Oz.) Then, from July 11 to July 18, Shark Week 2021 welcomes Tiffany Haddish, William Shatner, the Jackass crew, Brad Paisley, Sharknado's Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, and other celebs who are trying to get up close but not too personal with the sharks. The Air Jaws team is back, you'll get new insights into how tiger sharks give birth, cow carcasses will be fought over near Norfolk Island, and shark-themed episodes of Josh Gates Tonight air July 11 to July 15 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery. In addition, Discovery+ debuts the Eric Bana-narrated doc Envoy: Shark Cull on July 1, the competitive docuseries Shark Academy on July 11, and the Eli Roth-directed documentary Fin on July 13. Plug your nose, sublimate your fears, and consider EW your very own bite attendant as we exclusively reveal the Shark Week 2021 schedule.

Airs: Thursday, July 1, on Discovery+
Official description: "In South Australia, a fisherman found a half-eaten mako, and shark experts say only one species is responsible. Using underwater ultrasound imagery, tissue sampling, and collecting DNA, they will prove that the great white is the ultimate mega predator."
Why you should watch, in their words: "We got up close with some of the biggest sharks in the world and uncovered a new great white feeding behavior we didn't even know existed," says executive producer Michael Sorensen.

Airs: Thursday, July 1, on Discovery+
Official description: "Dr. Riley Elliott returns to Norfolk Island with underwater cinematographer Kina Scollay to see what happens when the island's tiger sharks go head-to-head with migrating great whites over an unusual food source: cow carcasses."
Why you should watch, in their words: "There's even more tigers, the biggest ever seen, but what's most exciting, this time there's also great whites taking on the Norfolk tiger tornado at the cow canteen," says shark scientist Elliott.

Airs: Thursday, July 1 (Discovery+), then Saturday, July 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "As the Shark Vortex retreats in the fall, sharks battle it out for dominance in New England's icy waters. Experts Dr. Greg Skomal and Joe and Lauren Romeiro brave rough oceans and fierce predators to capture new footage and insight of the phantom shark and reveal which shark reigns supreme."
Why you should watch, in their words: "My team and I returned to New England, diving deeper into the mystery of the phantom shark and its warm-blooded cousins," says underwater cinematographer Joe Romeiro.

Airs: Sunday, July 11, on Discovery+
Official description: "Internet sensation David Dobrik and his friends are on the craziest adventure yet… Diving with sharks! When faced with bad weather and sharks larger than they expected, these twentysomethings quickly find themselves asking, 'Why did we go on Shark Week?'"

Airs: Sunday, July 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Robert Irwin comes face to face with a great white Shark for the first time ever with shark conservationists Paul de Gelder and Madison Stewart. Following his father's footsteps, he will get as close as possible to these incredible creatures to determine which apex predator reigns supreme — crocs or great whites?"
Why you should watch, in their words: "Having the opportunity to follow in my dad's footsteps and experience the ultimate apex predator first hand was awe-inspiring," says Irwin. 

Airs: Sunday, July 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Tiffany Haddish hosts Shark Week! While her fantasy was to uncover the secrets of shark sex, sailing on the fanciest yachts surrounded by friendly sea creatures and pampered by a handsome merman, she's joined by Dr. Toby Daly-Engel, Dr. Craig O'Connell, and Alannah Vellacott for a very sharky wake-up call."
Why you should watch, in their words: "I learned a lot while swimming with sharks," says Haddish. "One of those things is female sharks don't have it easy out there, but they stick together."

Airs: Sunday, July 11, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Johnny Knoxville sends Steve-O, Chris Pontius, and new Jackass cast members on a Shark Week mission for the ages. They'll dial up a series of shark stunts that test their bravery and threshold of pain as they put common shark myths to the test with the help of Dr. Craig O'Connell."
Why you should watch, in their words: "We went all out for our Jackass Shark Week special, and there were consequences," says Steve-O. "Safe to say it's going to be a hit!"

Airs: Monday, July 12, on Discovery+
Official description: "Mark Rober and Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things are teaming up for the ultimate Shark Week adventure… exploring abandoned undersea ruins and man-made artificial reefs searching for the strangest sharks in the ocean."
Why you should watch, in their words: "It was fun and terrifying, and I want you to live through that crazy experience with me!" says Schnapp.

Airs: Monday, July 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Narrated by Chris Rose, the Air Jaws team, Alison Towner, Dickie Chivell, Chris Fallows, and Enrico Gennari return to Seal Rock to capture the highest breach ever recorded. Rocket Shark holds the record at 15 feet. Will he return to jump even higher, or will a new shark take the World's Highest Flying Great White Shark title?"
Why you should watch, in their words: "In the first ever Shark Olympics, great whites compete for medals in the categories of highest breach, attack speed, and most hang time," says executive producer and director Jeff Kurr.

Airs: Monday, July 12, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Rumor has it that two of the largest sharks in existence have been recently roaming New Zealand waters, but nobody knows which one is the largest. Brandon McMillan and Dickie Chivell are heading out to see which one takes the cake — Phred or Slash?"
Why you should watch, in their words: "Jaws Awakens takes viewers into the feeding grounds of the largest white sharks in the world," says executive producer Michael Sorensen. "It's non-stop action."

Airs: Monday, July 12, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Josh Gates links up with his childhood hero, William Shatner, to boldly go where Shark Week has never gone before. The mission: Enter shark-infested waters to understand the nature of fear and come face-to-face with an apex predator. This is Shark Trek."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Sharks are frightening," says Shatner. "They have very large mouths and large teeth. I was frightened most of the time — but apparently that was unfounded since I was in the right hands. They were pussycats… just a matter of finding the right hands."

Airs: Tuesday, July 13, on Discovery+
Official description: "In 2017 one of the strangest ocean mysteries occurred in South Africa when an entire great white population disappeared overnight. Alison Towner and her team, Enrico Gennari and Andy Casagrande, head out on an epic investigation to find the missing great whites of Seal Island."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Great White Comeback is an epic shark adventure mystery digging deep into what happened to the greatest white sharks on earth," says cinematographer Casagrande.

Airs: Tuesday, July 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "It's a great mystery where tiger sharks give birth. One team of scientists and shark experts including Dr. James Sulikowski, Dr. Toby Daly-Engel, Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, and Jamin Martinelli deploy an arsenal of new technology to find out, but they need to meet some of Bahamas' biggest tiger shark mothers face-to-face for it to work."
Why you should watch, in their words: "If you thought pregnancy was hard, imagine having 50 babies at a time, with rows and rows of razor-sharp teeth!" says marine biologist Daly-Engel. "These mamas are not kidding around."

Airs: Tuesday, July 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Country star Brad Paisley and comedian JB Smoove meet in the Bahamas to attract new fans, sharks! With Dr. Austin Gallagher's help, they put Brad's musical talents to the test in shark-infested waters to see how sound can attract or repel sharks.
Why you should watch, in their words: "Me and Brad Paisley attempt to see if sharks have a taste for country or comedy… so don't miss what happens," says Smoove.

Airs: Tuesday, July 13, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "In 2012, Michelle Jewell documented one of the largest great white mating scars ever recorded. Recently similar marks have appeared, leading her to believe this is a possible mating ground and that mega-shark El Diablo has returned to South Africa."
Why you should watch, in their words: "We take on the oldest white shark mystery with a new tool — a white shark decoy," says Jewell. 

Airs: Wednesday, July 14, on Discovery+
Official description: "The shark population in Turks and Caicos has a sizable concentration of female tiger sharks, leaving scientists wondering where all the males are hiding. Shark enthusiast Kinga Philipps joins Dr. Austin Gallagher to help solve this puzzling mystery."
Why you should watch, in their words: "A fascinating expedition to Turks and Caicos, face-to-face with a mysterious population of massive tiger sharks," says Philipps.

Airs: Wednesday, July 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Researchers Kina Scollay, Mark Erdmann, and Al Baxter build a submersible mechanical shark to track down New Zealand's monster great whites and pilot it deep into what they believe could be a mating ground — the holy grail of shark science."
Why you should watch, in their words: "This year our great white encounters are truly mind-blowing!" says underwater cinematographer Scollay. "I drive an insane new cage, and we see incredible new behavior."

Airs: Wednesday July 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "We have all seen the movies, sharks jumping into boats, circling in tornados, and risking their lives to attack humans. Could these shark feasts happen? Ian Ziering and Tara Reid pick up their chainsaws once again to see if a Real Sharknado could happen."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Since turnabout is fair play, I decided to go underwater to see if the sharks are anywhere as lethal as they are in a tornado," says Ziering. "I hope they don't hold a grudge for me clowning them — chainsaws don't work underwater."

Airs: Wednesday, July 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Dr. Craig O'Connell and Marc Payne return to where they unexpectedly filmed a juvenile great white during a past mission. Believing there's a nursery nearby, they follow the trail to a discovery that could change everything we know about great whites."
Why you should watch, in their words: "There are many secrets pertaining to Western Australia's white sharks, and this year, the team makes a groundbreaking discovery," says shark biologist O'Connell. Make sure you tune in because this discovery will blow... your... mind!"

Airs: Thursday, July 15, on Discovery+
Official description: "Bull sharks are one of Australia's 'big 3' deadly shark species, and recently, there's been a shift in their behavior concerning the human population. Paul De Gelder joins Johan Gustafson to uncover why these sharks are becoming more aggressive hunters."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Raging Bulls features footage that I don't believe has ever been captured before and it's better than you could imagine!" says shark conservationist De Gelder.

Airs: Thursday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Dr. Sandra Lee has entertained millions with her extreme pimple-popping videos. Now she heads to Turks and Caicos with Dr. Austin Gallagher to explore the world of shark skin and how she can apply the science they gather to help human skin issues."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Do sharks get pimples?!" asks Dr. Lee. "Watch me find out, when I pop into the ocean and swim with sharks on Shark Week!"

Airs: Thursday, July 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Sharkadelic is back to find out if this summer will be the sharkiest on record. Snoop Dogg breaks down the craziest encounters, the wildest and most unpredictable reactions to discover if America is once again ground zero for the shark superstorm."
Why you should watch, in their words: "There is nothing better than viral shark encounters unless those encounters are narrated by none other than Snoop Dogg," says executive producer Michael Sorensen.

Airs: Thursday, July 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "South African great whites are on the brink of extinction, but experts believe there is at least one breeder shark left in the water surrounding Bird Island. Alison Towner, Chris Fallows, Dickie Chivell, and Enrico Gennari will search and tag the last female great white mature enough to carry on the species."
Why you should watch, in their words: "After a four-year battle between orcas and great whites, shark experts search for a surviving 'breeder' shark — the mysterious Mother of Bird Island," says executive producer and director Jeff Kurr. 

Airs: Friday, July 16, on Discovery+
Official description: "International wildlife biologist Forrest Galante and Jessica Evans travel the world in search of rare and elusive wildlife, including those lost to science, and mysterious cold-water sharks."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Witnessing these incredible and rare arctic predators interacting with humans is frankly mind-blowing!" Galante says. "Alaska really does have its own Jaws!"

Airs: Friday, July 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT  (Discovery)
Official description: "In the icy waters of Alaska, off populated beaches of New York, and lurking in ghostly shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina, scientists and shark experts Dr. Craig O'Connell, Joe and Lauren Romeiro, Avery Paxton, Madeline Marens, and Hap Fatzinger have discovered three sharks that have developed unique and deadly ninja skills."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Ninja sharks are equipped with specialized adaptations and behaviors making them some of the most fearsome predators on the planet," Romeiro says.

Airs: Friday, July 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT  (Discovery)
Official description: "Shark researchers Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Annie Guttridge, Alannah Vellacott, and Khrys Carroll travel to Andros Island to determine if it's a new great hammerhead hotspot, and they're using reports of a half-octopus, half-shark creature known as the Lusca to help them locate massive sharks for their study. "
Why you should watch, in their words: "Join our research team on a journey of a lifetime with iconic sharks, untouched and unexplored habitats including mysterious, eerie ocean blue holes!" says Guttridge.

Airs: Friday, July 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "In Mexico, legends swirl around El Demonio Negro, a 50-foot shark that has terrorized fisherman and tourists alike for generations. Is this an undiscovered predator? Forrest Galante hunts for answers in the most rugged and remote parts of the Baja Peninsula."
Why you should watch, in their words: "This wild adventure to track down an ancient legend is packed with 14 shark species, ATV crashes, deserts, and a pristine marine ecosystem," Galante says.

Airs: Friday, July 16, at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Two adventure seekers recount their horrifying shark attack experiences."
Why you should watch, in their words: "The raw stories of survival show that truth can be more incredible than fiction," says co-executive producer Matt Koed.

Airs: Saturday, July 17, on Discovery+
Official description: "A monster lurks in the crystal blue waters off the coast of Costa Rica named Lagertha. In this epic adventure, Dr. Craig O'Connell, Vicky Vasquez, and Andy Casagrande team up to discover why the tiger sharks in this area are unexpectedly more aggressive."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Filmed hundreds of miles from civilization, our show takes viewers to Cocos Islands, a secret hot spot for sharks," says shark biologist Vásquez.

Airs: Saturday, July 17, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "Discover everything that has happened in the world of sharks this year, including unbelievable viral videos, big news stories, and the latest in cutting-edge shark science."
Why you should watch, in their words: "We are awarding the bronze, silver, and gold for the greatest moments in Shark Week history," says executive producer Jimmy Fox. "I'm sure everyone on Twitter will unanimously agree with our decisions."

Airs: Saturday, July 17, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Discovery)
Official description: "I Was Prey: Shark Week recounts two horrific shark attacks told solely by the survivors who overcame life and death circumstances to tell their stories."
Why you should watch, in their words: "The real-life tales of survival are raw and horrifying, but ultimately inspirational," says co-executive producer Matt Koed.

Airs: Sunday, July 18, on Discovery+
Official description: "Dr. Tristan Guttridge and James Glancy travel to Andros Island to investigate reports of an exclusive population of giant hammerheads. To get answers, they attempt one of the longest shark dives ever — upward of 10 hours — using an underwater habitat."
Why you should watch, in their words: "Have you ever wanted to spend the night underwater with sharks?" Guttridge asks. "Tune into our epic 10-hour dive with great hammerhead sharks, deep drop-offs, and a cup of tea at 20 feet!"