10 Most Shark-Infested Beaches in the USA – Swim at Your Own Risk

Don't you love the feeling of sand slipping between your feet as you walk along a golden beach with nothing but inviting water and an ocean breeze? Of all the countries, I think it's fair to say the USA has some of the best beaches in the world.

But it's not all sunshine and tan lines in North America because there's often an ominous predator lurking in the depths. Okay, that may be melodramatic, but if you're wondering where the most shark attacks in the world occur, it's the USA. So it is sensible to know the most shark infected beaches in the USA.

The theme song of Jaws may be playing in the back of your head right now, and I don't blame you. So before you embark on an epic journey and start admiring the best sunsets in Florida and the like, let's look at the beaches with the most sharks in the United States.

New Smyrna BeachPhoto byImage by Unseen Beaches on Unsplash

1. New Smyrna Beach, Florida

It may be the beach with the most shark attacks in Florida, but New Smyrna is much more than a scary shark-filled destination. With 27 km of pristine white sand and waves that seem to go on forever, this is a surfer's paradise — and a shark's playground.

The coastline is 40 minutes (19 km) south of Daytona and an hour (90 km) from Orlando City. When surfers aren't hitting those gnarly waves and dodging the occasional shark, there are tons of fantastic restaurants to try out.

Cafe del Soul serves classic spreads, from fresh seafood to lighthearted salads. And if you want a drink to refresh your palette, pop into the Baci Beer and Wine Cellar.

When you're not walking along this coastal oasis — away from the sharks — New Smyrna's waterways are the perfect place to enjoy a kayaking tour.

2. Mākena Beach, Maui, Hawaii

It may be small at only 1.1 km in length, but Mākena Beach is still a sharky neighborhood, that's for sure. Although it has fewer shark attack numbers than Kīhei's beaches, shark sightings in these calm, shallow waters are frequent.

This stretch of beach sits within Mākena Beach State Park and is a popular spot for snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. Divers are the most likely to spot these ominous ocean dwellers, but it's not uncommon to spot a dorsal fin wading through the shallow waters.

It's separated into Big Beach and Little Beach, with the former being a very popular spot. Little Beach is a small cove with no lifeguard, so you must take extra precautions when swimming here.

3. Bolinas, California

Florida may top the list for the most shark attacks in the USA, but California's Bolinas Beach is a particularly breathtaking destination. It rests at the heart of California's Red Triangle, where 38% of all Great White Shark attacks occur.

That's a scary stat, I know, but there is a reason for this. This region along California's coastline has heaps of seal species, so swimmers' and surfers' silhouettes are often mistaken for prey.

It's also only an hour's drive (48 km) from San Francisco, so it's super busy on weekends. The beach is the gateway into the Bolinas Lagoon, where several seal species reside. This is why the beach regularly sees Great White Sharks as they circle the lagoon waiting for their next prey.

Top Tip: If you decide to swim or surf out here, just take every precaution and stay within range of the lifeguards.

4. Solana Beach, California

Although outside the Red Triangle, Solana Beach is an equally scary spot for shark sightings in California. It's just a 30-minute drive (35 km) from San Diego and is famous for its lavish hotels and luxury resorts.

It's glorious San Diego-inspired sunsets dazzle the sky in reds and oranges, while its epic waves make for a great surfing spot. Shark sightings are becoming increasingly frequent, as many juvenile sharks have migrated south to Solana Beach from Los Angeles.

This largely concerns them avoiding prey, such as Orcas and other Great Whites. Although seeing sharks at Solana Beach is becoming more common, this 2.7 km stretch of pristine coastline still has a reasonably low number of shark attacks.

More or less in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, you'll find the enigmatic Surf Beach. As its name suggests, its lengthy waves make it the ideal bodyboarding spot.

But nowadays, people are less eager to dive right into these azure blue waters as attacks have been recorded every two years, like clockwork. It's a pretty scary thought and not something you want to worry about when swimming or diving just off the coast of California.

It's unknown whether these attacks are coincidental or caused by a single shark regularly migrating to this beach. One thing is certain, though, even the beach itself suggests steering clear of bodyboarding and swimming. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy everything else at Vandenberg State Marine Reserve.

Note: The south and north regions of Surf Beach are closed to protect nesting Snowy Plovers from March to mid-September.

6. Cocoa Beach, Florida

Cocoa Beach, a part of the Canaveral Bight, is just an hour's drive (96 km) from Orlando and one of the prettiest beaches in the USA. While the beach itself isn't the most unique thing in Florida, it certainly packs a mighty punch with regard to scenery and activities.

Many dolphin-watching tours are just off the coast of this glorious beach. But if you don't plan on joining one of those, there are a few things you need to know.

Yes, you're likely to see sharks along this beach, but the bigger danger is rip currents. This isn't a huge issue for surfers, but swimmers can get in a real pickle if caught in one of these.

7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Roughly an hour and a half drive (125 km) from Wilmington, Myrtle Beach actually has the second-highest number of shark attacks in America after New Smyrna. With a whopping 96 km of stunning coastline, it's no surprise this beach ranks up there in shark sightings.

As a matter of fact, Myrtle Beach encompasses six different beaches, which all come together to form the Great Strand. It's a fantastic deep-sea fishing area, while Cherry Grove in the north and Murrell's Inlet to the south offer fantastic kayaking opportunities.

It's also a region full of diving potential, with artificial reefs growing daily and some unique wrecks at the bottom of the ocean. Of course, it's a good idea to take on these activities with a touch of caution, as it's renowned for shark sightings.

8. Topsail Island, North Carolina

This 41 km long island has some of the best soft sand in America, but it comes at a mighty price. Okay, it's not a huge issue, but there are sharks aplenty in the cool waters of the Atlantic coastline.

Previously a missile testing station for the US Navy, this quaint island has seen somewhat of a renaissance since 1963. While the beaches are kept in tip-top shape and protected for several animal species, Topsail is now a popular holiday destination, and it's easy to see why.

While sharks are tracked and regularly reside in Topsails coastal waters, it's unlikely you'll see them, though. They tend to stay well away from the shallow shores of the island. So you can swim in peace knowing you'll probably not be their next meal.

9. Melbourne Beach, Florida

Resting just south of Cocoa Beach on the Canaveral Bight, Melbourne Beach is just as susceptible to shark attacks as its northern neighbor. With six attacks since 2010, it has the third-highest number of incidents in the state in recent times.

Why do sharks attack people at Melbourne Beach? It largely has to do with how many people visit this stunning coastline. As it's one of the sunniest places in the USA, tourism seldom stops, but the warm waters also attract prey for sharks.

The natural snorkelling spots along the beach are where you're most likely to spot these toothy predators. So if you're not keen on a heart-raising interaction, stick to the shoreline, where the sharks are less frequent.

10. Fripp Island, South Carolina

South Carolina also has its fair share of shark-infested beaches, like most of America's East Coast. But what makes Fripp Island unique is the type of shark you're more likely to spot out here.

The Skull Inlet and Fripp Inlet create the perfect conditions for the infamous Tiger Shark. As these sharks feed off prey near river mouths, the fact there are two such inlets on either side of the island makes the coastline a shark's jungle gym.

While attacks are fairly rare, you'll often see a bobbing fin as it meanders through the water. All in all, even if you see a shark in the water, there's still 5.6 km of soft sand beach to spread your legs at.