The Top 5 Florida Beaches for Shark Attacks

Located directly between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico is the State of Florida. As a result, hundreds of miles of beaches are found there. Shark attacks are common on Florida’s beaches, but not because of how often they happen.

The state reports an average of 25 shark attacks each year, according to the International Shark Attack File. Nonetheless, this figure is relatively high when compared to other states and nations worldwide, solidifying Florida’s reputation as the global center for shark bite incidents. This page examines the beaches and counties in Florida where shark attacks occur most frequently.

How Many Americans Were Bitten by Sharks in the Past Year?

Of the 73 confirmed shark attacks that occurred globally last year, 47 occurred in the United States. Florida (28), Hawaii (6), South Carolina (4), North Carolina (3), California (3), Georgia (2), and Maryland (1) were the states where they happened.

Florida’s Top 5 Shark Attack-Pronecounting Counties

Shark attacks are more common in some Florida counties than others. These are the state’s shark attack-highest counties.

Volusia County

Since 1882, Volusia County has documented 337 bites in total; no other county has as many bite records as Volusia County. The coastal cities of New Smyrna, Daytona, and Ponce inlet are located in Volusia County. Fortunately, none of the 17 bites that were reported in the county last year proved to be fatal.

Brevard County

Since 1882, Brevard County has documented 155 bites, including 2 incidents last year. It is the site of frequent shark attacks at Cocoa Beach.

Palm Beach County

With a land size of 2,383 square miles, Palm Beach County is well-known for its golf courses and sandy beaches. Since 1882, the county has registered 81 biting incidents.

Duval County

The population of Duval County, which is in the northeastern region of the nation, is little under a million. Despite not having any bite reports for the previous year, the county had 46 bite reports during the previous 140 years.

Martin County

Located in the Treasure Coast region, Martin County has seen 45 shark attacks since 1882. The county’s biodiverse lagoon ecology is well-known.

Which Florida Beaches See the Highest Rate of Shark Attacks?

There are several places where shark attacks occur more frequently than others, including New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet, Cocoa Beach, and the Florida Keys. On top of the list, though, is Volusia County’s New Smyrna Beach.

Beach New Smyrna

Situated in Volusia County on Florida’s Central Atlantic coast, New Smyrna Beach is a beach city. This city has documented about 200 shark attacks since 1882; these attacks account for a significant share of all Volusia County assaults. 37.92 square miles make up the city’s area.

Daytona Beach

Another city in Volusia County where shark attacks occur frequently is Daytona Beach. About 46 shark attacks have been reported in this city. Daytona is well-known for its auto races and for being the location of the NASCAR Headquarters.

Ponce Inlet

Although Ponce Inlet is just a village, there have been nearly 40 reports of shark attacks there. In 2020, there were little over 3,200 people living in Ponce Inlet. The town is also home to Florida’s tallest lighthouse, which is another fascinating tidbit.

Cocoa Beach

Brevard County’s Cocoa Beach is home to more than thirty shark bite cases. This municipality makes up a sizable portion of Brevard County’s total bite count. If you enjoy small, tourist-heavy places, Cocoa Beach could be the ideal travel destination for you.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a group of islands in Monroe County that form an archipelago. It is the ideal spot for water sports like scuba diving, boating, sportfishing, and even seafood because of its numerous beautiful beaches. Because there are so many beaches in the Florida Keys, locals have reported over 20 bites since 1882.

Where Were the 28 Shark Attacks in Florida Last Year?

Florida saw 28 attacks in year, more than the average, dispersed throughout 9 counties. The shark capital of Florida, Volusia, reported 17 bites, compared to two apiece in Brevard, Miami-Dade, and St. Lucie counties. Each of the following counties recorded one bite: Broward, Martin, Manatee, and Palm Beach.