Great White Shark attacks

697 attacks recorded
Great White shark attacks
Date Country Location Fatal?  
Jul 25th 1936 USA Massachusetts Y Details
Feb 4th 1936 Australia New South Wales Y Details
Jan 22nd 1936 Australia South Australia Y Details
May 19th 1935 South Africa KZN N Details
Mar 9th 1935 Australia New South Wales Y Details
Mar 2nd 1935 Australia New South Wales Y Details
Aug 30th 1934 Italy / Croatia Adriatic Sea Y Details
Aug 27th 1934 Italy Sicily N Details
Aug 21st 1934 Yugoslavia Near Fiume Y Details
Jul 2nd 1932 Canada Bay of Fundy N Details
Feb 15th 1930 Australia Victoria Y Details
Jan 16th 1930 South Africa Western Cape Province N Details
Dec 28th 1927 South Africa Western Cape Province Y Details
Jul 24th 1926 Italy Golfo di Genova in the Ligurian Sea Y Details
Jul 8th 1926 USA California N Details
May 18th 1926 USA Hawaii Y Details
May 6th 1922 South Africa Western Cape Province N Details
Mar 2nd 1922 Australia New South Wales Y Details
Feb 4th 1922 Australia New South Wales Y Details
Jul 6th 1916 USA New Jersey Y Details
Jul 1st 1916 USA New Jersey Y Details
Ca. 1915 USA Florida Y Details
1912 Spain Balearics Y Details
Jan-1909 Italy Sicily N Details
Jan-1908 Slovenia Adriatic Sea Y Details
Mar 7th 1907 Malta Y Details
Jul 30th 1901 South Africa Western Cape Province Y Details
1898 USA South Carolina N Details
Ca. 1881 Italy Sicily Y Details
Sep 1st 1868 Italy Adriatic Sea Y Details
28-Sept-1853 USA North Carolina N Details
Feb 26th 1852 South Africa Western Cape Province Y Details
1776 Greenland Y Details
June 1721 Italy Sardinia Y Details
Ca. 1554 France Nice & Marseilles N Details
Jan 1st 1970 Australia Western Australia N Details
Fall 1993 Angola West Africa N Details
Mid Jul-1985 or mid Jul-1986 Italy Sicily N Details
Early Feb-1974 South Africa Western Cape Province N Details
Late Aug-1962 Italy Tyrrhenian Sea N Details
Jan 1st 1970 USA California N Details
Summer of 1959 South Korea Y Details
1949-1950 Italy Tyrrhenian Sea N Details
Late Jul-1928 Italy Tuscany N Details
Sep or Oct-1853 USA North Carolina N Details
1960 - 1969 Malta Near Filfla Island N Details
A few years before 1938 Italy Adriatic Sea N Details
white shark
White Shark

In the vast realm of the world's oceans, great white shark attacks have long captured the imagination and fears of beachgoers and marine enthusiasts alike. While these incidents are statistically extremely rare, they loom large in public perception due to the predatory nature of these iconic marine creatures.

Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are apex predators, patrolling coastal waters in search of seals, sea lions, and fish. Despite their fearsome reputation, attacks on humans are infrequent and often a case of mistaken identity. Understanding the factors contributing to these rare events is crucial for both public safety and shark conservation efforts.

Research suggests that certain coastal areas, known as hotspots, witness higher occurrences of great white shark-human interactions and consequently attacks. These hotspots are often associated with seasonal migrations of seals or fish, drawing sharks closer to shore. Additionally, factors such as water temperature, prey availability, and individual shark behavior contribute to the likelihood of an encounter.

Advancements in technology, such as satellite tagging and underwater cameras, have provided scientists with valuable insights into the behavior of great white sharks. Researchers are working to develop strategies to mitigate potential risks, including early-warning systems, education campaigns, and innovative shark deterrent technologies.

Efforts are underway to shift the narrative surrounding great white sharks from one of fear to one of understanding and coexistence. Conservation initiatives stress the importance of protecting these apex predators, recognizing their vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

As we delve deeper into the fascinating world of great white sharks, our evolving understanding of their behavior and interactions with humans is reshaping the dialogue around these awe-inspiring creatures, fostering a newfound appreciation for the delicate balance that exists between predator and prey in the vast expanses of the world's oceans.

Attacks by country

  • USA (223)
  • AUSTRALIA (173)
  • SOUTH AFRICA (172)
  • ITALY (29)
  • NEW ZEALAND (23)
  • CROATIA (8)
  • CHILE (6)
  • GREECE (5)
  • JAPAN (5)
  • MEXICO (5)