Beach alert: 5 California spots with the highest shark attack rates
Last week’s fatal mauling in Sydney took the total number of global shark attacks to 48 in 2025.
Shark attacks on humans are increasing. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), there are an average of 80 shark attacks annually. Last year, there were 88 recorded: 47 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 24 provoked bites - 28 of those cases were in the United States.
Shark attacks on humans fall into three categories: unprovoked attacks, provoked attacks and boat attacks. Fortunately, the odds of dying from injuries sustained by a shark attack are very low - around 1 in 4.5 million.
Shark claims victim in Sydney
Yet around five to six people lose their lives every year as a result of confrontations with one of the ocean’s most feared predators. Only last week, a large shark claimed the life of 57-year-old surfer Mercury Psillakis who was out in the waters off Dee Why Beach in Sydney, Australia.
The numbers for 2025 stand at 48 verified attacks - eight of them provoked and nine fatalities.
With its 840 miles of coastline, California attracts thousands of surfers every year, from Malibu to Ocean Beach, to ride the Golden State’s iconic waves.
The kinds of sharks you might encounter off the California coast
A wide variety of shark species inhabit California’s waters. Most of them are fairly docile and are highly unlikely to attacks humans but two or three species are extremely aggressive and have no fear of humans: the great white, shortfin mako and angel sharks are dangerous predators known to launch violent attacks.
Common sharks in California
- Great White Shark
- Shortfin Mako Shark
- Angel Shark
- Horn Shark
- Blue Shark
- Common Thresher Shark
- Great Hammerhead Shark
- Nurse Shark
- Lemon Shark
- Pelagic Thresher Shark
- Broadnose Sevengill Shark
- Smooth Hammerhead Shark
- Swell Shark
- Megamouth Shark
- Ragged-tooth Shark
- Bigeye Thresher Shark
- Dusky Shark
- Prickly Shark
- Pygmy Shark
- Cookiecutter Shark
- Basking Shark
- Goblin Shark
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark
- Whale Shark
The great white shark has been spotted in Tomales Point, Ano Nuevo Island, and Bird Rock. The vast majority of the 209 shark attacks in the region have been carried out by great whites - with 15 fatalities since 1950.
Five Californian beaches have witnessed more shark attacks than the state average. Let’s take a look at them:
La Jolla (San Diego County)
In June 2024, a 46-year-old swimmer was left with "serious but not life-threatening" lacerations to his left hand, his left arm and his torso after being attacked by a shark. La Jolla has recorded 12 incidents involving sharks. One of the most notorious incidents happened in June 1959 when Robert Pamperin was swallowed whole by a huge shark while skin diving for abalone off La Jolla Cove. He was never seen again, although one of his swim fins, pocked with teeth marks, washed ashore a few days after his disappearance.
San Onofre State Beach (San Diego County)
San Onofre State Beach is one of California’s most popular surfing destinations which has seen a number of shark incidents. In 2017, Leeanne Ericson lost part of her leg after being savaged by a shark while wading at Church beach. Eight encounters with sharks have been recorded since 1971 - the most recent in October 2022.
Humboldt Bay (Humboldt County)
A plucky surfer was left with deep wounds to his right leg after being knocked off his board by a a great white shark off Centerville Beach in October 2022. Humboldt County has reported 16 shark attacks since 1960, with half of that figure in the bay itself.
Salmon Creek Beach (Sonoma County)
Salmon Creek Beach has recorded numerous shark incidents in recenty years, and is considered one California’s danger spots for shark‑human encounters. There were two serious incidents in 2021 - both victims survived. In October 2005, Megan Halavais was dragged underwater and suffered multiple bites after a 14-foot shark attacked her while she was surfing off Salmon Creek Beach.
Huntington Beach (Orange County)
Every year, HB draws millions of visitors who flock to savor it's unique surf culture. The beach regularly gets closed "as a precaution" for 24 hours whenever shark activity is reported. Seven shark attacks have been reported in the region - above the average, but thankfully no serious cases or fatalities.
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