Where the Most Shark Attacks Have Occurred in the United States

Written By: Frank Bongiorno

Shark attacks are a concern for many Americans planning to go for a swim in the ocean, but should they be? Using information from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), SI Yachts visually mapped out the number of unprovoked shark attacks that have happened in the United States over the years, highlighting the states and counties where they most commonly occur. Although the United States accounts for more than half of all the shark attacks in the world, recent years have actually seen a downward trend. For example, the total number of unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. dropped to just 25 in 2025, continuing a decline from 28 in 2024 and 36 in 2023.

Which state has the most shark attacks? The states with the most shark attacks ever recorded are Florida, Hawaii, California, and South Carolina. Florida is widely known as the "shark attack capital of the world" and accounts for a significant portion of total unprovoked attacks in the United States each year. However, shark encounters in Florida have decreased over the past few years, with just 11 attacks reported in 2025.

Don't let the fear of a shark attack keep you from enjoying the ocean, though. There are many other everyday occurrences and animals that have a much higher statistical chance of harming you. Did you know that dogs kill an average of 43 Americans a year, and bees or wasps kill 72, while sharks only cause an average of one fatality per year?

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Where Are the Most Shark Attacks in the U.S.?

Historically, the most shark attacks take place in the state of Florida, and the majority of those unprovoked attacks occur in Volusia County, which holds the record for the most shark attacks ever recorded at 303. Brevard County, Florida, ranks second with 147 confirmed attacks. Florida's dominance in these statistics is clear: of the 30 U.S. counties with the most recorded shark attacks, 12 are located in the Sunshine State.

The 10 U.S. Counties With the Most Shark Attacks Ever Recorded

1. Volusia County, FL: 303
2. Brevard County, FL: 147
3. Palm Beach County, FL: 76
4. Maui County, HI: 64
5. St. Johns County, FL: 42
6. Oahu County, HI: 42
7. Duval County, FL: 40
8. Martin County, FL: 37
9. St. Lucie County, FL: 35
10. Charleston County, SC: 35

This visual also looks at the number of shark attacks that have occurred in the United States over the past ten years (between 2016 and 2025) to see how frequently these encounters are happening in coastal states. It also details the 10 shark attack fatalities that occurred during this specific decade.

The Five U.S. States With the Most Shark Attacks Between 2016 and 2025

1. Florida: 201
2. Hawaii: 60
3. California: 31 (tie)
4. South Carolina: 31 (tie)
5. North Carolina: 23

What Is the Likelihood of Being Attacked by a Shark?

How likely are you to get bitten by a shark? Not very likely at all. With the average shark attack fatality rate resting at just one per year in the United States, plenty of other things have a much better chance of killing a person. Below are just some of the animals and situations that pose a bigger threat to Americans than being killed by a shark:

• Bees, hornets, and wasps: 72 deaths per year
• Dogs: 43 deaths per year
• Lightning: 20 deaths per year
• Venomous snakes: 5 deaths per year

How to Avoid a Shark Attack

While the odds of being bitten by a shark are exceptionally low, and the odds of a fatal attack are even lower, there are practical steps you can take to further reduce your risk. Below are some simple safety tips and things to avoid when swimming in ocean waters:

• Don't swim in the dark or at dusk: This is when sharks are most active and feeding.
• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry: Light reflecting off metal clasps or jewelry can resemble fish scales to a shark.
• Don't swim if you are bleeding: Sharks have an incredible sense of smell and can detect blood from long distances.
• Avoid wearing high-contrast or bright colors: Sharks see contrast very well, and a bright color against bare skin can draw unwanted attention.
• Don't swim too far from shore: This isolates you, places you closer to where larger sharks navigate, and keeps you farther from emergency help.
• Swim in groups: Sharks are much more likely to approach a solitary individual than a group of people.
• Refrain from excessive splashing: Erratic splashing can mimic the sounds of wounded prey.
• Avoid swimming near fishing areas: Bait fish and chum draw sharks. If you see seabirds diving into the water, bait fish, and potentially sharks, are likely nearby.
• Be cautious in murky waters: Low visibility makes it harder for you to spot a shark and harder for a shark to distinguish you from its normal prey.
• Keep pets out of the water: Their splashing and erratic movements are highly attractive to sharks.

How Have Shark Attack Trends Changed Over Time?

We compared the shark attack numbers from the past decade (2016 to 2025) against the total number of historical unprovoked attacks recorded for each state going back to 1837. We found that a significant percentage of all-time attacks have happened in just the past ten years. For example, Florida's 201 attacks during this recent decade represent 24% of its total recorded attacks since 1837. Overall, there have been 1,437 unprovoked shark attacks recorded in the United States, with 388 of them (27%) occurring between 2016 and 2025.

Why have shark attacks historically trended upward in recent decades compared to the 1800s? Increases have been traced to human destruction of shark habitats, coastal development, booming tourism, and climate change. Human interference forces sharks closer to shores where swimmers congregate. If these shark attack trends continue, well, you're going to need a bigger boat.

"Where the Most Shark Attacks Have Occurred in the United States" is brought to you by SI Yachts, experts in Viking Yachts and Princess Yachts.

U.S. Counties With the Most Unprovoked Shark Attacks Ever Recorded

Unprovoked Shark Attacks in the United States Over the Past 10 Years (2016–2025)

Fatal Shark Attacks Between 2016 and 2025

Total Attacks Since 1837 vs. the Past 10 Years