Florida beaches claim 9 of top 10 spots for most shark attacks in America, new study shows
Florida beaches dominated a list of the top 10 U.S. beaches with shark attacks dating back several hundred years, according to a new report.Weather forecasting company Tideschart looked at data between 1642 through 2024 and looked at which beaches had the most shark attacks, with beaches in Florida compiling 9 out of the 10 slots. New Smyrna Beach, Florida, topped the list with 277 shark attacks since 1642.Ryan Blundell, founder of Tideschart, said there are many swimmers who are unaware of the danger just off the shores of some Florida beaches, but said people shouldn't panic."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," Blundell said. "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."GREAT WHITE SHARK SIGHTINGS RISE ALONG NORTHEAST BEACHES AS SUMMER WINDS DOWNHere's a full list of U.S. beaches with the most shark attacks from 1642 through 2024:1. New Smyrna Beach, Florida: 277 shark attacks2. Daytona Beach, Florida: 67 shark attacks3. Cocoa Beach, Florida: 39 shark attacks4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: 36 shark attacks5. Palm Beach, Florida: 35 shark attacksSHARK BITES BEACH FISHERMAN WHO DRAGGED THRASHING PREDATOR BACK TO WATER AFTER CATCH6. Indialantic Boardwalk, Florida: 30 shark attacks7. Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida: 24 shark attacks8. Jupiter Beach Park, Florida: 23 shark attacks9. Riviera Beach, Florida: 21 shark attacks10. Cape Canaveral, Florida: 19 shark attacks10. Isle of Palms, South Carolina: 19 shark attacksCities such as Galveston, Texas; Monterey, California and Gulf Shores Public Beach in Alabama were further down on the list.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provided advice for swimmers concerned about shark attacks, which includes staying in groups, advising people not to swim too far from shore and using extra caution in murky waters.In July, a surfer was bitten by a shark on New Smyrna Beach, which is known as the "shark bite capital of the world."Matthew Bender, 40, was bitten on his arm by a shark while surfing on July 6, according to a Volusia County Beach Safety spokesperson."I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere," Bender told Fox 35 Orlando. "By the time I looked down, it was already gone. I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully."Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.