How Likely Are You to Get Attacked by a Shark in Miami?
Updated: Oct 10
As a year-round destination for tourists, Florida's Sunshine State appeals to both natives and visitors with Miami's prized water attractions – the beach.
However, the moment you set foot on any of South Florida's beaches, encountering sea creatures, particularly sharks, is a real possibility and a significant concern. Sharks are known for their formidable bite and strength, raising questions about the actual risk of shark attacks in Miami and across South Florida. Miami Living conducted an investigation to uncover the facts.
The Stats
Based on statistics, shark attacks are not very common along the Florida coast but the state is ranked the highest in attacks. Out of the total cases in the United States, Florida has 51% of all the shark attack cases. Last year in Florida, there were reportingly 16 unprovoked attacks. What this means is that the people in the ocean did not implement any sort of action that would have startled the animal to act in aggression or defense. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shark activity usually peaks in Florida waters from April to October. Despite this, shark bites remain extremely rare. The commission notes that Floridians are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to encounter a shark bite.
Ninety percent or more of shark incidents are mistakes. They assume that we're something that we are not. -Gary Adkison, diver ("Sharkbite! Surviving the Great White")
Since the 1900s, there has only been a total of 828 unprovoked attacks in Florida. The majority of the shark attacks were non-fatal. Only 36 of the attacks were unprovoked and fatal. These numbers are ones that prove the unlikelihood of shark attacks due to the long span of time it has been with these low numbers. You have a better chance of dying from other incidents than shark attacks.
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Graphs courtesy of Shark Attackt Data
THE SHARK ATTACK 2023 REPORT
Last year, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) of the Florida Museum of Natural History examined most reported incidents of shark-human interactions globally and in 2023, Florida maintained its longstanding lead in global shark bite incidents.
With 16 cases reported, Florida accounted for 44% of the total in the United States and 23% worldwide. This figure is slightly lower than Florida's recent five-year average of 19 incidents annually.
In Volusia County, located approximately 4.5 hours north of Miami within Florida, there were eight reported shark bites, accounting for 50% of the state's total incidents. This figure aligns with the area's average of nine incidents over the past five years.
The remaining incidents in Florida included two in Brevard County, two in St. Lucie County, and one each in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia, and Pinellas counties.
U.S. State | Total | Fatal |
Florida | 16 | 0 |
Hawaii | 8 | 1 |
New York | 4 | 0 |
California | 2 | 1 |
North Carolina | 3 | 0 |
South Carolina | 2 | 0 |
New Jersey | 1 | 0 |
Total Cases | 36 | 2 |
Why Humans?
Sharks are often misunderstood. From a shark's perspective, these large predators are in their own territory, seeking the necessary nutrients to survive. As carnivores, they hunt for whales, seals, and sea lions—not humans, who were never part of their natural diet.
While sharks swim in search of their daily meals, they may mistake surfers, with their dangling feet and arms, for sea lions. In such cases, a shark might instinctively go for what it perceives as prey—a human.
Shark attacks typically result in bites that can cause severe injury or limb loss for humans. When sharks first bite human flesh, they often quickly release, realizing it's not their intended prey. This behavior is known as "bite and release."
Despite these facts, the fear associated with shark attacks is understandable, given their size and potential danger, backed by historical statistics.
How to prevent a shark attack
To prevent the risk of shark attacks, Miami Living came up with a top list of recommendations:
Swim in groups
If bleeding, do not enter the water. Sharks smell blood
Don't wear shiny jewelry. Can resemble fish scales
Stay close to shore
Stay out of water in dark hours
Don't splash around. Intense movements can summon sharks
If sharks are present, stay out of the ocean
Be smart. Don't try to play with the sharks if they are swimming by. That is a provoked attack, which is "caused by humans touching sharks"
The presence of more people in the ocean increases the likelihood of a shark attack. If you enjoy the open ocean, consider staying in shallow and clear waters. While this won't guarantee avoiding a shark encounter, it may provide you with more time to leave the area if a predator appears.
Every activity in life carries risks, and swimming in the ocean is no exception. You can enjoy Miami's beaches with minimal danger, but if you encounter a shark, remain calm, act wisely, and react promptly!
