Florida Beaches Named America’s Shark Attack Hotspot, With New Smyrna Beach Recording 277 Incidents

The study shows that New Smyrna Beach, in Florida, has experienced 277 shark attacks, making it the most dangerous beach for shark encounters in America. This small coastal town on Florida’s central Atlantic coast has recorded more than four times the number of shark attacks as the second-ranked beach. 

Daytona Beach, another Florida location, ranks second with 67 recorded shark attacks. The popular tourist destination, known for its motorsports and extensive shoreline, has significantly fewer incidents than New Smyrna Beach but still represents a notable shark attack hotspot. 

Cocoa Beach, in Florida, takes the third position with 39 shark attacks. This beach town, located south of Cape Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast, is a popular surfing destination where shark encounters occur with concerning frequency. 

The first non-Florida location on the list is Myrtle Beach, in South Carolina, which ranks fourth with 36 shark attacks. This popular vacation destination along South Carolina’s Atlantic coast is the most dangerous beach for shark encounters outside of Florida. 

Returning to Florida, Palm Beach ranks fifth with 35 shark attacks. The wealthy enclave on Florida’s southeast coast has slightly fewer incidents than Myrtle Beach but remains a significant area for shark activity. 

Indialantic Boardwalk, in Florida, holds the sixth position with 30 shark attacks. Located on a barrier island between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean, this beach sees a substantial number of shark encounters despite its relatively small size. 

Fort Pierce Inlet, in Florida, ranks seventh with 24 shark attacks. The inlet, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon, creates conditions that appear to attract shark activity. 

Jupiter Beach Park, in Florida, takes the eighth spot with 23 shark attacks. This beach on the northern end of Palm Beach County is known for its natural beauty but also its shark presence. 

Riviera Beach, also in Florida, ranks ninth with 21 shark attacks. Located in Palm Beach County, this coastal community has recorded a significant number of shark encounters over the years. 

Rounding out the top ten are Cape Canaveral, in Florida, and Isle of Palms, in South Carolina, both tied with 19 shark attacks each. Cape Canaveral, famous for its space center, and Isle of Palms, a barrier island near Charleston, represent the final entries in the top ten most shark-prone beaches in America. 

The data reveals a clear geographic pattern, with Florida dominating the top 10 beaches for shark attacks and South Carolina being the only other state represented in the top ten, with two beaches making the list. 

Beyond the top ten, Hilton Head, also in South Carolina, ranks 11th with 18 shark attacks. Three beaches tie for 12th place with 17 shark attacks each: Miami Beach and St. Augustine Beach in Florida, along with Galveston in Texas, marking the first appearance of a Texas beach in the rankings. 

The study also found that California beaches appear lower in the rankings, with La Jolla Beaches being the highest-ranked California location at 17th place with 11 shark attacks. Hawaii beaches appear even lower on the list, with Hanalei and Olowalu tied at 20th place with 6 shark attacks each. 

Ryan Blundell, founder of Tideschart, commented on the findings, “The concentration of shark attacks along Florida’s coastline is striking, with New Smyrna Beach in particular standing out as a global hotspot for shark encounters. Many people are unaware that certain beaches pose significantly higher risks than others when it comes to shark activity. 

“These statistics shouldn’t prevent people from enjoying the ocean, but they do highlight the importance of staying informed about local marine conditions and following safety guidelines when swimming or surfing in these areas. Understanding shark patterns and behaviors can help beachgoers make safer choices about where and when to enter the water.” 

Methodology: 

A list of beaches was sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (EPA), while records of shark attacks were retrieved from the Shark Research Institute.  

From this, each entry for shark attacks data was checked against this list to assign the most appropriate beach location if possible.