Imagine swimming in the ocean and suddenly spotting a shark fin heading straight toward you. Sharks are known as fierce predators, but how likely are you to encounter one at the beach?
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) by the Florida Museum of Natural History, there are about 63 unprovoked shark attacks globally each year. While this number seems small compared to the number of ocean swimmers, some beaches are more prone to shark activity. Certain shark species also thrive in shallow waters, increasing the chance of encounters.
Here are the world’s most shark-infested beaches. We highlight spots with frequent shark attacks and places where you can swim with sharks safely. Always stay alert and remember that while sharks are magnificent, they can be unpredictable.
12. Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
Not all sharks are dangerous. Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia is home to gentle whale sharks, the largest shark species, growing up to 60 feet. These filter-feeders have unique patterns and feed on plankton. Visitors can swim with whale sharks on liveaboard cruises, departing from places like Manokwari, Nabire, or Biak. The bay also hosts whitetips, blacktips, scalloped hammerheads, tropical fish, and corals.
11. Surf Beach, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, U.S.
Surf Beach at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is a top spot for surfers, but shark attacks have occurred since 2008. Some attacks were fatal, and officials estimated one shark weighed around 4,000 pounds. In 2014, two kayakers were attacked within an hour but survived. The Marine Conservation Science Institute tracks great whites, including a 12-foot male named Tough Guy seen near the beach. The MSCI’s Expedition Great White App can help monitor nearby sharks.
10. Boa Viagem Beach, Recife, Brazil
Boa Viagem Beach in Recife, Brazil, is beautiful but risky due to shark attacks. From 1992 to 2004, 47 attacks were reported, 16 of them fatal. Bull and tiger sharks are the main culprits. Researchers link increased shark activity to the construction of Porto Suape, which may have disrupted migratory patterns and drawn sharks closer to shore. Pollution might also play a role.
9. Emerald Isle Beach, North Carolina, U.S.
Emerald Isle Beach in North Carolina sees various sharks, including hammerheads, tigers, spinners, and blacktips. In 2020, a surfer was bitten by a shark, suffering minor injuries. While attacks are rare, caution is advised, especially at sunset when sharks feed. North Carolina Sea Grant’s shark safety brochure recommends not swimming alone or wearing bright clothing that could attract sharks.
8. Mount Maunganui Beach, New Zealand
Mount Maunganui Beach in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty is popular, but shark sightings are frequent. Bronze whaler sharks are common, and great whites have been tagged and tracked here. In 2022, a 9-foot great white named Daisy was seen near the beach. The Sustainable Oceans Society’s Great White App tracks these sharks, though it may not always be reliable.
7. Robberg Marine Protected Area, Plettenberg, South Africa
The Robberg Marine Protected Area in Plettenberg, South Africa, features sandy beaches, cliffs, and rock pools. Named after the fur seals it attracts, it also draws great white sharks. The area spans over 16 square miles, with trails offering views of sharks, seals, and whales. While great whites are present year-round, they are most active in winter. Kayaking around the peninsula provides a closer look at the marine life.
6. Tiger Beach, The Bahamas
Tiger Beach, a small sand bank near Grand Bahama, attracts divers who swim with tiger sharks, hammerheads, lemon, and reef sharks. Named by Jim Abernathy in 2001, it offers cage-free diving experiences with these majestic predators. However, there is a risk, as shown by a fatal attack on a diver in 2008.
5. Playa Bancón, Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Playa Bancón on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua might seem inviting, but it’s home to aggressive bull sharks. These sharks reached the lake via the San Juan River from the Caribbean Sea. There have been three confirmed fatal shark attacks in the lake.
Despite its dangers, Lake Nicaragua is beautiful. Ometepe Island boasts volcanic peaks, jungles, and black sand beaches. Playa Bancón is part of the Charco Verde nature reserve, offering scenic views and accommodations for exploring the island.
4. Sea Pines Beach, South Carolina, U.S.
Sea Pines Beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is beautiful but filled with sharks like blacknose, tiger, and bull sharks. In 2023, a man was bitten in the foot by a shark while in waist-deep water, and a lifeguard was attacked two years earlier.
Though attacks are rare, the waters are breeding grounds for many shark species. Anglers must follow South Carolina’s strict fishing regulations, requiring permits and release of most shark species.
3. Gansbaai, South Africa
Gansbaai is notorious for its dangerous waters, wild waves, strong currents, and great white sharks. Known as the “great white capital of the world,” these sharks hunt Cape fur seals on nearby Geyser Rock and Dyer Island. Between 2009 and 2019, researchers sighted 423 white sharks in Gansbaai.
In 2017, great white sightings dropped due to killer whales attacking the sharks, but they have since returned. Shark cage diving tours offer a close-up view of these giants, especially from June to September when shark activity peaks.
2. Saint-Leu, Réunion Island, France
Saint-Leu on Réunion Island is famous for surfing but also for numerous shark attacks. The island sits in the Indian Ocean, a hotspot for bull and tiger sharks. Since 2011, shark attacks have surged, leading to government-imposed bans on swimming and surfing.
Between 2011 and 2017, Réunion Island had 24 shark attacks, nine of which were fatal. Thanks to shark nets and patrols, attacks have decreased, with the last recorded incident in 2019.
1. New Smyrna Beach, Florida, U.S.
Surfers love New Smyrna Beach for its waves, but danger lurks beneath. This beach in Florida has the highest number of shark attacks in the U.S. Between 2012 and 2021, Volusia County, where New Smyrna is located, recorded 94 shark attacks. In 2023, Florida accounted for 23% of the world’s unprovoked shark attacks, with Volusia County responsible for half of those in Florida.
Gavin Naylor, Director of The Florida Program of Shark Research, explains that the Ponce de Leon inlet north of the beach attracts bait fish, which in turn attract sharks like blacktips, lemons, tigers, and bull sharks. Additionally, the high number of surfers and poor visibility increase the risk of shark encounters.
Becky is a fervent wildlife enthusiast and pet care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. Her love for animals stretches beyond the domestic, embracing the wild tapestry of global fauna. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to OutlandishOwl through insightful articles, captivating wildlife information, and invaluable guidance on pet nutrition. Her work embodies a deep commitment to understanding the intricate lives of animals and a passion for educating others on sustaining natural habitats. Becky's hands-on conservation efforts and her knack for translating complex dietary science into practical pet feeding tips make her an indispensable voice for creatures great and small.
