The Places You'd Most Likely Be Attacked By A Shark

The beautiful white sand and big ocean waves are just what you need for your vacation at the beach. But be careful of the danger lurking beneath the waves, there are ocean creatures just waiting to attack. There were more than 1,200 shark attacks in the last decade, although only 95 of them were fatal, according to the Global Shark Attack File, on which the following list is based. It is worth noting that, overall, shark attacks are not so common. Many experts say that you are more likely to be struck by lightning.

Abaco Islands, Bahamas

There have been nine non-fatal shark attacks at different locations on Abaco Islands since 2007. Most of the victims were spearfishing; a couple were surfing and diving. One was snorkeling.

Pemambuco, Brazil

Ten people have been attacked by sharks in Pemambuco since 2007. Most of them were surfing or swimming (one was even trying to save a girl from drowning when was attacked). Boa Viagem Beach is known as being among the most dangerous.

Reunion Island

This is one of the most dangerous islands in the world. It's home to one of the highest amounts of shark attacks on the planet. The government has put a ban on swimming, body-boarding, and surfing in hopes of protecting beach-goers. There have been 20 attacks since 2007 alone.

Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Last year two people were attacked at Atlantic Beach, one of them was a teenager who was just standing, according to data. His injury was laceration to wrist. The town in Bogue Banks Island, part of North Carolina's Crystal Coast, is a popular fishing spot.

Oak Island, North Carolina

In 2015 two people were attacked while wading in the water. One had his arm amputated below the shoulder while the other had an arm amputated at elbow and a severe injury to leg. The coastal town is located mostly on the barrier island of Oak Island in Brunswick County.

Surf City, North Carolina

The town is one of three townships on Topsail Island, a 26-mile-long barrier island. It has seen three shark attacks since 2008. Two of the victims were wading swimming.

North Topsail Beach, North Carolina

There have been three attacks between 2005 and 2012. Don't go swimming or surfing at dawn or dusk. Sharks swim near Inlets waiting for bait to flow out with the tide.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This established spring break hotspot is a major hit with students on the east coast. Great beaches, food and parties round out a few of the reasons to visit and the deals on hotels are also a major draw. But...in the last ten years, there were 70 shark attacks in New Syrna Beach, according to the Global Shark Attack File. None were fatal.

San Onofre, California

San Onofre has had six shark attacks since 2008. Most people who got hurt were surfing, one was paddling on a board. San Onofre State Beach is a 3,000-acre state park located in San Diego County.

Huntington Beach, California

This is a hot spot for surfers. Huntingdon Beach hosts the Vans US Open of Surfing, the world's largest surf competition and lifestyle festival, every year. But be careful – there have been four shark attacks in the last 10 years. Almost all accidents occurred when people were surfing.

Hanalei Bay, Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the world's most shark infested destinations. This two-mile long white sand beach will take your breath away. The scenery is absolutely incredible, with spectacular mountains; and there are tons of watersports to choose from. There have been three shark attacks in Hanalei Bay in the last decade.

Wailea Beach, Hawaii

There have been four shark attacks between 2007 and 2016. Wailea Beach is home to one of Hawaii's most over the top resorts — The Grand Wailea. The ocean tends to be pretty calm, making for perfect for paddling and floating. This is how three of the attacks happened.

Ka'a'awa, Oahu, Hawaii

There have been two shark attacks since 2008. Both occurred approximately 400-500 yards from shore. None were fatal. One was bitten on ankle and thing, the other got laceration to heel on one foot. The victims were body boarding and surfing at the time of the attacks.  

Lyman Beach, Hawaii

Be careful when surfing at Lyman Beach. Pay attention to the warning signs, there are many of them at different surf spots. Two attacks happened in 2011, just three days apart. One person was surfing, the other paddle boarding.

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Eastern Cape as a whole has seen 22 attacks since 2007.  One of the most dangerous is Port St Johns' Second Beach. It has become known as one of the most deadly stretches of water. In 2014, a shark attack claimed the life of 72-year-old man, marking the eighth death in five years. Located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the coastline is reported to have 97 total attacks and 13 fatalities since 1905.

Western Cape, South Africa

There have been 19 shark attacks since 2010. Most have occurred while people were surfing. Shark Alley is popular for shark diving. The summer months, June—August, are the best time to catch sight of the great whites breaching and eating seal pups.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Due to a number of factors attracting sharks closer to shore, December 1957 marked 'Black December' along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal with five fatalities in a 107-day stretch. As a result the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board was formed and has mandated to maintain shark nets and drum lines. Despite the efforts, the beaches along the coast continue to attract deadly sharks, with 27 fatal attacks and 90 total attacks since 1905.

Western Australia

Beaches off of Perth in Western Australia are continuously proven to be dangerous waters, and as a result the government began a cull of great white, tiger and bull sharks of more than nine-feet-long. Western Australia's coast has seen a total of 36 attacks and 10 fatalities.

New South Wales, Australia

The beach fronts of New South Wales continue to be the most dangerous waters in the world. There were 10 attacks in 2016 alone; most of them while people were surfing. Lifeguards continue to warn beach goers of the dangers of the big sharks after local fisherman were found to be using illegal baits to lure sharks.

Queensland, Australia

Queensland beaches have proven to be so dangerous, that the Queensland Government initiated a Shark Safety Program that "relies on nets, drum lines or a combination of both to remove high risk sharks from a particular location." There have been 14 attacks since 2010, five in 2016 alone.

Mayport Naval Station Beach, Florida

Between 2004 and 2014 alone, Florida has seen more than 200 shark attacks. Two people were attacked in 2016 at Mayport Naval Station and one in 2017. The spot is just on the edge of a no beach entry zone.  Residents have said they have managed to collect jars of shark teeth over the years.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

In the last ten years, there were 70 shark attacks in New Syrna Beach. None were fatal. New Smyrna is known as the shark attack capitol of the world. Common sharks in New Smyrna beach include blacktip, spinner and tiger sharks.

Ponte Vedra, Florida

There have been six shark attacks since 2006. Most have taken place as people were surfing. There are a lot of things you don't know about sharks, including that they feel threatened by humans.