14 Most Shark Infested Beaches in the US
Jaws (1975) terrified a generation of children, some to the point where they wouldn’t even use a pool. Nothing strikes the chords of fear more than imagining a deadly predator coming from the depths — even if falling out of bed kills more people annually.
This summer, beaches across America will be on guard as millions of tourists hit the water, so understanding the small risk is worthwhile. There are certain regions where shark attacks are more common. With summer winding down, families will look to get one last vacation in before the end of the season.
We have researched the most dangerous swimming beaches for shark attacks across the United States. This information may be helpful if one is partial to swimming or kayak fishing. Spoiler alert: if you hate sharks, don’t go to Florida.
1. Volusia County Beaches, Florida
Florida has seen over 240 attacks in a decade. The state hosts the majority of America’s top-10 shark-infested beaches — Volusia County on Florida’s East Coast is top. Most beaches in this area have seen a shark attack — 343 since records began.
In July 2024, a 21-year-old Ohio visitor was bitten on his foot while playing a game of beach football. He was standing in “knee-deep water,” according to Click Orlando. Thankfully, not one Volusia County attack has ever proved fatal.
2. Brevard County Beaches, Florida
Next on the list is Brevard County, Volusia County’s southern neighbor, where shark attack numbers are lower: 158 in total. While no recent attacks have happened, the county sits in close proximity to mullet, sardine, anchovy, and herring migrations that attract feeding sharks.
Curiously, blacktip migration numbers in this region have fallen in the past decade, thanks to warmer coastal waters forcing them elsewhere. Nonetheless, beachgoers should demonstrate extreme caution.
3. Palm Beach, Florida
Sitting third on the most dangerous list is Palm Beach, Florida, with 82 reported attacks over the years. Although recent activity isn’t too concerning, the last recorded attack involved an adolescent boy who was in shallow water.
This attack followed another unprovoked attack on a man in his fifties, which took place at a beach not far away. “This has been a typical year, said the director of aquatics for Palm Beach County, James Davis, in the Palm Beach Post. “Nothing unusual.”
4. Maui County Beaches, Hawaii
Hawaii’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean means great white sharks are a problem in deeper water. As recently as 2024, a suspected great white shark killed a snorkeling enthusiast, adding to four previous deaths since 2013.
In a haunting scene, a resident saw the gruesome event. A HawaiiNewsNow report details the witness seeing the shark “in the middle of a red cloud in the water.”
5. Duval County Beaches, Florida
Duval County in Florida’s Northern Panhandle has seen its fair share of finned friends getting too close for comfort. Staten Island Yachts puts Duval County beaches in the fifth spot after 46 attacks over time.
While Duval County hasn’t seen anything bad of late, Jacksonville.com reports a 2024 attack off Fernandina Beach in nearby Nassau County where a 40-something local sustained critical injuries.
6. St. Johns County Beaches
South of Duval County is St. John’s County, the lowest part of the Northern Panhandle, and it has a similar shark attack record. St. Johns County offers residents annual “Beach Driving” passes, allowing them to hit the sands with their SUVS and camper vans. Maybe they would be advised to stay in their vehicles.
A 2020 attack took place off St. Augustine Beach when a teenage surfer received nasty bites to his foot after only ten minutes in the water. In 2014, a monstrous 14 feet great white shark was pinged near the same beach.
7. Oahu County Beaches, Hawaii
Tragic news struck the movie world in 2024 when actor and surf enthusiast Tamayo Perry died after a shark attack off Oahu’s North Shore. The surf mecca is not renowned for regular shark attacks of late; Perry’s death marked only the ninth Hawaii shark-related death in three decades.
Oahu has a long history of shark attacks: the island’s famous North Shore sees tiger sharks migrate there during fall. It was likely the species that attacked the poor surfer.
8. Martin County, Florida
Martin County has several beautiful beaches, such as Stuart Beach and Jensen Beach, popular with swimmers and snorkelers.
Moreover, it’s home to Jupiter Island, where many professional golfers live. Such impressive surroundings come with a risk. With 41 attacks, Martin County beaches have statistically the eight most shark-frequented shores in America.
9. Horry County Beaches, South Carolina
Statistically, South Carolina has seen the third-most shark attacks in the United States, and most occurred before 2013. There haven’t been any deaths in the past decade, though attacks are regular.
In 2022, two people experienced shark bites on the same day at Myrtle Beach. One victim was in waist-deep water when bitten.
10. Charleston County Beaches, South Carolina
The Palmetto State is famous for many things, though sharks would not be high on most visitors’ lists. Nonetheless, Charleston itself has evidence of shark activity after a 2024 incident involving a spearfisher being targeted.
While I can sympathize with this poor soul, and I can understand the appeal of spearfishing, one must question the sport’s safety. I am not so sure swimming along with harpooned, bleeding fish attached to one’s belt is a good idea in any open water.
11. Kauai County Beaches, Hawaii
Hawaii is second to Florida, though one must question whether surfing is a factor. The archipelago attracts thousands of wave riders every year, making the chances of contact higher.
With 33 recorded attacks, Kauai County beaches are the third-most dangerous place to swim in Hawaiian waters. The latest stats show an attack in 2024 as the last recorded shark event.
12. San Diego County Beaches, California
In general, the Golden State has a record littered with shark encounters. California has experienced hundreds of attacks up and down its lengthy coastal territory. However, it’s further south where most attacks — some fatal — occur.
The most recent was in the City of Del Mar, San Diego County. One unfortunate member of a swimming group suffered great white shark bites. Thankfully, he was only 100 yards from the Beach Safety Center, says NBC San Diego.
13. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Naturally, any neighbor to South Carolina might see shark attacks, and North Carolina has seen 41 since records began. North Topsail Beach experienced an attack in 2024, with a 14-year-old boy bitten on the leg.
Topsail Beach is second to Emerald Isle for total attacks, contributing 10 to North Carolina’s 117 total shark attacks. Thankfully, the teenager survived the attack when passers-by came to his rescue in the surf.
14. Galveston County Beaches, Texas
Texas is a remarkable place with several climates, including a subtropical southern coast on the Gulf of Mexico. Beaches off Galveston Island are top of the Texan list of unprovoked shark attacks.
Nevertheless, South Padre Island, Cameron County, deserves a mention and is in many people’s imaginations of late. While the shark species is yet decided, four people were mauled in 2024 during the July 4 celebrations. One woman lost her leg following the attack.
