Everyone loves spending leisure time on beaches. From water activities like surfing, swimming, etc., to rejuvenating experiences like resting on soft and clean sand, there’s much to explore on beaches. However, the rising incidences of shark attacks have raised the alarm among beachgoers, especially families with kids. While the instances of unprovoked shark attacks are rare, they aren’t zero.
So, let’s explore the most shark-infested beaches in the U.S. so you can make the safest holiday choices.
Kīhei Beach, Maui
While Kihei Beach is a tropical paradise, it is also one of the most dangerous beaches because of its shark-infested waters. Approximately 65 people have been victims of shark attacks in this region since June 1995 to June 2024. Since Maui reports the most shark incidents in Hawaii, visitors are advised to exercise caution while going near the seawater.
Melbourne Beach, Florida
Melbourne Beach, located in Brevard County, has reported 158 confirmed shark attacks since 1882. While most attacks resulted in minor to mild injuries, only one case resulted in death in 1934. Since this beach has a history of unprovoked shark incidents, visitors are advised to follow safety precautions while participating in water activities or getting too close to the water.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is infamously known as the ‘shark bite capital of the world.’ Four cases of shark attacks have been reported in Volusia this year, while other risky beaches in Brevard have reported none. Since 1882, Volusia County has witnessed 351 cases of unprovoked shark attacks, which is higher than most other places.
Surfside Beach, Texas
Texas is home to some of the most pristine beaches, like the Surfside Beach, but it is also famous for its shark-infested waters. There have been several instances where people reported seeing sharks like blacktip or bull sharks in the Surfside Beach water, along with numerous other sharks. While the chances of unprovoked shark attacks are rare in Surfside Beach, they aren’t zero. There were less than 50 shark attacks in the last century in Texas, so anyone visiting beaches in this region must remain vigilant for safety reasons.
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Shark sightings aren’t rare for people living near Jacksonville Beach, thanks to its shark-infested waters. A fisherman recently reeled in a 12-foot tiger shark at Jacksonville Beach and later released it. These sharks don’t attack people unless provoked. Since the shark population is growing rapidly in Florida, visitors are advised to never swim alone and always look for a lifeguard before getting into the water. It is best to always check in with a lifeguard to determine the safest time for swimming and other water activities.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The waters surrounding Myrtle Beach do have numerous sharks, but they rarely come near the beach. In the past, there have been fewer instances of shark attacks in this beach that left victims with severe scars. One of the most recent cases occurred in 2022, when two swimmers were bitten by sharks at Myrtle Beach. While the injuries were not life-threatening, they resulted in hundreds of stitches.
Miramar Beach, Florida
Miramar Beach is a stunning tropical destination in Walton County that welcomes several tourists every month. While this beach is renowned for its clean beaches, water activities, beach resorts, etc., beachgoers are expressing concerns over the rising cases of shark attacks in this region. By July 2024, two reported shark attacks occurred between Miramar Beach and Panama City Beach. In both incidents, the victims experienced severe injuries in the upper and lower extremity.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Beaches in Florida are infamous for reporting the most shark attacks on beachgoers, and Cocoa Beach is no exception. There have been multiple shark incidents on this beach, but the attack on a teenager garnered the most attention. A shark approached the teenager aggressively on Cocoa Beach, biting her three times in a row. It left the victim with severe pain and nearly 50 stitches. Florida reported 41 unprovoked shark bites in 2022, with 16 in Florida alone.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
The New Smyrna Beach in Florida is infamously called the ‘shark bite capital of the world.’ There were approximately 16 cases of reported shark bites in 2023, of which 16 were from Florida. It is the highest number of shark attacks reported in any American state. Five of the 16 shark attack reports took place in New Smyrna Beach, making it the most dangerous in the shark-infested beach category. Until July 2024, there were two reported shark attacks in New Smyrna Beach, so beachgoers are advised to exercise caution.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach has a notable presence of sharks in its seawater, especially bull sharks. Since the region is a natural habitat for numerous sharks, the beach is recognized among the most dangerous, shark-infested beaches in the U.S. Authorities overlooking beaches in Bay County had to close beaches in this region because of the rising shark attacks. Recently, there were two reported cases of shark attacks in the nearby Walton County, west of Panama Beach, where victims were severely injured by shark bites.
Ponce Inlet, Florida
The Ponce Inlet, located in Volusia County, Florida, isn’t immune to shark attacks. A 2023 report revealed how Volusia County reported eight shark bite incidents, which accounts for almost 50% of the state’s total. The state made headlines in 2024 when four shark attacks were reported within a week. One of these attacks took place in the Ponce Inlet beach where a teenager participating in a lifeguard training camp got bitten by a shark and received 14 stitches.
Indialantic Beach, Florida
Many beaches in Florida have high instances of shark attacks compared to other American states. The Indialantic Beach, for instance, has reported a significant number of shark attacks over the years. Approximately eight people were attacked by sharks in the Indialantic Beach, raising concerns about safety of beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers.
