For those of us who live in the northeast, the next three or four months are beach season. I spent seven years as a child living in Guam and Hawaii, where “beach season” was a year-round occasion. I was also a horror movie buff (even at a young age), which means any time I entered the ocean, my mind raced with images of a giant great white shark stalking me, ready to chomp off one of my skinny legs and use it as a toothpick.
In honor of man-eating shark movies, I’ve decided to carve a watermelon shark. Oddly enough, I found the experience of carving a shark to be somewhat therapeutic. Of course, it helped that I was chopping off parts and eating it as I carved it.
MATERIALS NEEDED
1 oblong, seedless watermelon
Dry erase marker
Large knife
Smaller utility knife
Large spoon
Paring knife (you can use the tip of a vegetable peeler)
2 blueberries (or another object for the eyeballs)
Toothpicks or wooden skewers
Swedish fish candies for garnish (optional)
Thoroughly wash and dry the watermelon. I shouldn’t have to include this step, but it’s important and often overlooked, so get used to seeing it on every monthly carving. If you like the watermelon knife and cutting board in the photo, check back on Monday. I’ll be giving away both items as our June prize to one commenter chosen at random.
Cut off the bottom third of the shark at a slight angle, so that the shark leans forward. It took me a little while to figure out which direction to cut the angle. Here’s a tip: lay the watermelon shark flat on its belly and, cutting from the top, slice down and toward the front. Again, only slightly.
Draw and cut the mouth. Use your spoon to carve out the flesh inside, leaving about two inches of flesh in the bottom. Finally, take your paring knife and cut a line about half an inch back from the edge of the mouth hole. The cut should be shallow – just under the surface of the green rind. Then use the paring knife to carve off the green rind around the edge of mouth, back to the line you just cut. This part will take a little while (about 15 minutes).
Use the paring knife to create a nice set of a pointy shark teeth. Also carve out an eye hole – about 1/4 inch deep – and place your blueberry inside (held in place with a toothpick, which doubles as the center of the eyeball). If you don’t have blueberries, feel free to use a rounded piece of red watermelon flesh.
Using a piece of rind removed from the mouth area, carve a dorsal fin (you might have to make the bottom slighted rounded inward so it fits nicely on the back of the watermelon). Affix the fin to the back using two toothpicks.
Fill your non-threatening watermelon shark with chunks of watermelon. Feel free to also include Swedish fish candies or any small toy action figures you may have lying around the house.
Good job! This looks amazing!
That is one super duper shark. I also like the platter it’s on. I saw watermelon in my local store. Yummy, yummy can’t wait to taste some.
Two of my favorite things in the world: watermelon and swedish fish. YUM!
Fantastic! I must do this for the next family picnic. Thanks for the tips on how to re-create this!
I was at a party yesterday and the watermelon was served in a watermelon shark just like this one. Everyone was exclaiming over how cute and fun it was. It’s a terrific way to add a little laughter to a summer get together and it’s a wonderful conversation piece as well. Thank you for the “how to” instructions. I’ll be trying this myself this summer with the grandkids 🙂
Thanks for the compliments! I’m still trying to figure out what I’ll carve next month, but whatever it is, I know it’ll be fun!
This shark is so clever! I am going to get three watermelons tomorrow and give this a try. You ask, “Why so many?” Well, I’ve never done anything like this before so I’m fairly certain my 1st attempt won’t be as cute as yours. But never fear! Any watermelon chunks left over will be used for sorbet and summer drinks. I am so jazzed to do this for my family … so thank you for the great way you explained the steps in the creation of your scary shark. 🙂
Going to a pot luck party tomorrow – will be trying this out! Thanks for the great instructions!
Happy Aloha Friday!!
I love this. With your instructions I’m going to try it. I’m a Guam and The Trust Territory baby myself. I wonder if we ever crossed paths swimming in that beautiful ocean?
I love this idea. I am going to a potluck on Saturday and will try carving a watermelon shark. I want to use olives for eyes. No matter what it should make my new friends smile!
This is amazing! Our family devours watermelons each summer without fail, and this would a nice change up from the usual watermelon bowl!
I love this ,I will be making this for my Grandson`s 4 Birthday Party Tomorrow !!!I am going to fill with watermelon, blueberries ,strawberries. Can`t wait for him to see it, he will be very excited!
Several more items might be required – a CD playing “Mack the Knife” and a pitcher of Margaritas…
So excited to make this for my soon to be 8 year old grandson’s pool party, the end of June.. The Swedish fish are a great idea!
This will be great for the end of the school year staff party at school next week. Thanks for the idea.
My kids swim for the Waterview Sharks swim team. I’m making this for the banquet.
This is wonderful; I HAVE to do one!!!!
That idea is absolutely fabulous,I’m sure it should be a good conversation piece at any party,kids,grandchildren,and adults.Add a little vodka for adults and enjoy!
Will send this too my granddaughter,I’m sure she will really enjoy this recipe,she’s very crafty,lives in Winnipeg Manitoba. CANADA.
I made this for our VBS refreshment table. Noah and Jonah were in the stories. I used tinted blue coconut around the bottom of the carving to make it look like the shark was coming up out of water. We had gummy sharks on the coconut. Kids thought it was great-so did the adults.
AWESOME IDEA!!!!!!! Even looks a little scary!!!!!
Thanks for the instructions for this delightful treat! THIS will be our PERFECT centerpiece for my daughter’s baby shower. Her theme is nautical — pirates !!! Love the knife and watermelon tray.
Just came from a grad party where an awesome watermelon shark with gummy fish was served. The best part was that they played the theme music from “Jaws” as the shark platter was brought to the table.
I’m going to attempt this for the 4th of July… Never carved a watermelon before but it looks so fun. I’m going to make men from cutting watermelon slices with a cookie cutterand fill it with them! And othwr fruit pieces.
Over cool.very fun. Easy. Thank you :-/!
This is awesome!! I’m planning a very large luau party next month and this will be perfect! How far in advance do you think I could prepare it and still have it be lovely like the pic?
I saw a kid get eaten by a watermelon shark once in Australia. There was juice everywhere. Put me off melons for a good number of years. Of course, that’s not going to stop me from making this next weekend.
P.S. Why is its mouth full of itself?
What an awesome centerpiece, the kids would love this. I’m going to try my best and make it for my boy’ birthday I think this would bring the wow factor.
I am so going to attempt this for my husband’s 60th birthday party this Sunday.
Thank you!
I will definitely be using this for my Sharknado party at the end of the summer!
Thank you for the great instructions. Mine turned out awesome! My watermelon was a little round, so he looks more like a whale with large teeth, but there were no oblong ones to be found. I am using it at a tween beach party and filling it with swedish fish. I also am arranging it on a blue platter, so he looks like he is coming out of the ocean. I am even using the inside pulp to make watermelon margaritas for the adults.
Darn. Wrong year!! lol!
Going to try making this today!
Thanks so much for this. My boys are have a birthday party at our local shark aquarium in Auckland New Zealand this weekend. It’s the end of our summer so our watermelon size selections aren’t great but I’m keen to give this a go. Would you know if I could make this a few days before I need it? I was planning on keeping it refrigerated. Thanks for your help.
Hi Lizzie,
Typically, a cut watermelon only keeps for 3 to 4 days. I wouldn’t let it refrigerate for much longer than that. I hope your boys enjoy the watermelon shark!
What about a crawfish watermelon? Our grandson (6) wants crawfish boil for birthday. If not, he loves your shark! Me, too.
Hi Suzann, I’m so glad you and your grandson like the shark! A crawfish would be a great creation, and I’m up for the challenge!
I’ve got to do something related to texas. Boot or Texas shape. Do u have anything? Or other ideas? Thsnks!
My oldest niece requested a Watermelon Shark for her high school graduation party (2015) – I told her I would need some practice & that we would have plenty of other things to make up and might not have time. She was ok with that but I felt bad for not making cause I try to do what they (I have 3 nieces) ask of me. We don’t see each other that often – I live in Lincoln, NE; they live in Kearney, NE. SO, I thought about it and told my niece – who will be “How about we have a ‘going away’ party and I will make it for you at that time” – she LOVED the idea. She leaves for the University of South Dakota August 21 – sometime earlier in August we will be shipping her off to college – so I have to get my practicing in.
lol its a shark -_-
Thanks for this! great shark, I am attending a Hawaiian party this weekend, im going to give this a try – much better than a cake! 🙂
Good call, Pep! Watermelon wins over cake everytime. 🙂 Send us a photo of your creation, we would love to see it!