The present invention discloses an actuating shock device and method for neritic region seismic exploration. The actuating shock device and method for the neritic region seismic exploration is connected with a hull on the sea. The position of the earthquake source in the sea is related to the hull dragging position to some extent. The actuating shock device and method for the neritic region seismic exploration mainly comprise an earthquake source state detection system, a space position control system, an air gun array actuating shock control system and an actuating shock device operation method. The actuating shock device can realize the space position setting of the actuating shock device in the seawater, and can realize the automation control at six directions such as up and down, left and right and front and back so as to obtain an accurate actuating shock point position; and moreover, through adoption of a rotary air gun array, the actuating shock device and method for the neritic region seismic exploration can realize the distance control of an air gun, match the energy of different air guns and realize the actuating shock effects of different modes in a certain range. Through the integration interpretation of the multi-space positions and the earthquake recording, the accurate detection of the geologic bodies under the sea can be realized.