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These are the Florida beaches where sharks are attacking: check the full list
Recent shark attacks have seen fear spread among holidaymakers and residents of Florida’s coastal regions.
A recent surge in shark attacks have put both Florida natives and tourists on alert, with three people victims of bites in less than 90 minutes just four miles apart along the coastline in Walton County.
Watersound Way and Coopersmith Lane was the location of the first attack while the Sandy Shores Court area of Seacrest Beach was where the second took place.
South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said in a joint news conference Friday that two people were in a critical condition and a third was stable. “Double red flags are now flying on the beaches in the surrounding area. The Gulf is now closed to the public in Walton County in the localized area of the incident,” the sheriff’s office added in a post on social media. “We are encouraging beachgoers to be cognizant that lifeguards and beach deputies may be trying keep people out of the water in the immediate area.”
Crawford added that one woman suffered significant trauma to the midsection and pelvic area and her left lower arm was amputated after she was flown to hospital.
Which beaches are the most dangerous for shark attacks?
The Florida museum calls Volusia County Florida ‘The Shark bite Capital of the World’, citing 94 attacks in 10 years. However, a grand total of 0 proved to be fatal.
The amazing database at the museum has documented all recorded shark attacks in Florida since 1926:
Shark attack locations | number of attacks since 1926:
- Volusia | 351
- Brevard | 158
- Palm Beach | 83
- St. Johns | 45
- Duval | 46
- Martin | 41
- St. Lucie | 39
- Indian River | 22
- Monroe | 21
- Miami-Dade | 20
- Broward | 16
- Pinellas | 15
- Bay | 9
- Collier | 8
- Lee | 8
- Sarasota | 7
- Flagler | 6
- Escambia | 7
- Nassau | 8
- Okaloosa | 4
- Manatee | 5
- Gulf | 2
- Franklin | 2
- Walton | 1
- Charlotte | 1
- Santa Rosa | 1
What species of shark attack people at Florida beaches?
While it can be tough for beach-goers to identify the species of shark in the moments following at attack, the Florida Museum says that 36% of attacks are from requiem sharks, which can include anything from an oceanic whitetip to a lemon shark.
The most common species that is regularly identified is the bull shark, with 16% of attacks attributed to the animal that can grow to 2.4 m (8 ft) long and weigh 130 kg (290 lb). Bull sharks are fascinating creatures: they are diadromous, which means they can alternate easily between both freshwater and saltwater and have even been found in the Mississippi and Amazon Rivers.
Mako, blue and tiger sharks are the least likely to attack, with the latter, an animal with a reputation for being aggressive, confirmed for just 2% of all incidents.
In 2023, Florida had 16 shark bite incidents reported, which makes up a huge 44% of the United States total and 23% worldwide. Despite this, there were no fatalities; sharks are not aggressive animals if left alone and given the respect they deserve.
And while shark attacks may make the news and fear may be spread throughout the public domain, it must be remembered that humans kill 100 million sharks every year, and their numbers are decreasing worldwide. It should not go unsaid that once in the water, we are in their territory: the necessary precautions and a huge amount of respect must always be the priorities for anyone stepping into the world where the animals live.