The World's Most Shark-Infested Beaches
While sharks can be found across the globe, some corners of the world prove especially attractive to these mysterious creatures of the deep. And when those happen to coincide with the same kinds of places humans like to frequent, run-ins are sure to happen. Oftentimes, human-shark incidents are fleeting or minor. Other times, though, shark bites (and worse) can occur when these two worlds collide.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna is known as one of the foremost the shark attack capitals of the world. Be careful when surfing out in the Atlantic. Common sharks to see in New Smyrna beach include blacktip, spinner, and tiger sharks.
Makena Beach, Maui
Swimmers beware — Makena Beach is known for its tiger sharks. Why should swimmers pay close attention? Tiger sharks are known to hunt in shallow waters, which raises the odds of coming in contact with them.
Bolinas, California
Bolinas beach is known for its great white sharks. Be careful you don't find yourself in the "Red Triangle." The great white sharks have been known to attack surfers in this area. According to MPORA, a shocking 38% of shark bites in the U.S. have happened here, accounting for more than 11% of bites worldwide.
Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America. Yes, we are talking about a lake — one which sits awfully close to the ocean. The current best-guess as to why these creatures can unexpectedly be found in a self-contained body of water? Well, some scientists believe the lake and ocean used to be connected but, over time, that connection was severed, leaving behind the sharks it's now known for.
West End, Grand Bahamas
The West End is the home of "Tiger Beach." Grasp on to this opportunity to come up close and personal to the tiger sharks. Try the shark cage diving adventure. This is where you are put in a metal cage about 30 feet under water with the likelihood you will come face to face with a tiger shark.
Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa is the home of bull and great white sharks. A string of fishing nets were installed in 1957 to keep swimmers protected. It is so dangerous that scientists have actually created a device for surfers to wear that is supposed to repel sharks from attacking them.
Coffin Bay, Australia
Coffin Bay, Australia is known for its dangerous waters. Victims have been attacked when surfing, snorkeling, boating, swimming and diving. The most common shark in Coffin Bay is the great white shark.
Topsail Island, North Carolina
In July of 2011 a girl was attacked by a shark while standing in 3.5 feet of water. Rescuers even pulled a shark tooth out of her ankle. Topsail Island is known for its shallow water shark attacks. In the last 75 years, sharks have attacked more than 40 people in North Carolina.
Cancun, Mexico
Although this may come as a shock to you, Cancun, Mexico is highly infested with sharks. It is a huge tourist destination, making it more likely humans and people will come in contact.
Recife Beach, Brazil
The most common shark found on Recife Beach is the Bull Shark, an often unpredictable kind of shark that is known for its strength and tenacity. While not especially fast, bull sharks are nevertheless frightening to come across in the wild.
Gansbaai, South Africa
Gansbaai, South Africa's "Shark Alley" beach is so infested with sharks they have actually created shark tours for tourists. Curious to what a shark tour consists of? Well, you could go out on a boat and take a nice and safe tour. But, if you really want to get your adrenaline pumping, tourists are let down into the ocean in a cage to get up close and personal to the great white sharks. These are not just plain sharks; Gansbaai is the great white shark capital of the world!