You’re more likely to be bitten by a shark in Florida than in any other state in the U.S., according to year-over-year shark bite statistics.
There’s actually no beach in Florida where it’s impossible to come across a shark in the water. The Sunshine State is home to the “Shark Bite Capital of the World,” and to 13 different species of sharks that use Florida waters as nursery grounds for their “pups” (shark babies).
Although shark attacks are rare, they still happen every year in Florida’s waters, particularly when the beaches are crowded in the summer. And it’s officially “shark bite season” — the time of year when shark activity in Florida waters is at its peak. Last year, 44% of recorded unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. were in Florida.
Here’s a look back at Florida’s 2025 shark bite statistics, how many shark bites were recorded in other states in 2025 and some tips for avoiding shark bites.
Where is the shark attack capital of the world?
The only scientifically verified source of its kind in the world, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is a worldwide database of shark attacks and is kept by the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida.
ISAF’s 2025 worldwide shark attack summary showed that the shark bite capital of the world is still the U.S., and Florida was once again the state with the most shark attacks. Globally, Florida was only outranked by Australia, where 21 shark bites were recorded in 2025.
2025 shark attack numbers in the U.S.
Of the 105 shark bites that ISAF recorded in 2025, 25 were in the U.S. And 11 of those 25 bites were in Florida. Of the 25 bites in the U.S., one of them (in California) was fatal. Of the 21 shark bites in Australia, five of them were fatal.
“Florida has long topped global charts for the number of shark bites, and 2025 was no different. Florida’s 11 cases represent 44% of the U.S. total and 17% of unprovoked bites worldwide,” ISAF’s report says.
“In Florida, Volusia County had the most shark bites (6), representing 54% of the state’s total. This is lower than the most recent five-year annual average of 10 incidents in the area. Of the five remaining bites, two were in Broward County, two in Lee County and one occurred in Miami-Dade County.”
Here’s a state-by-state look at shark bite numbers in the U.S. in 2025:
What months are sharks most active in Florida?
Shark activity in Florida waters peaks during the same timeframe that many people are more likely to be in the water. Sharks are most active off the coast of Florida from April through October, according to the FWC.
“Many shark species are common in Florida’s nearshore waters and bays. More than 13 species of shark use these areas as nursery grounds for their pups. Scientific data show that many shark species migrate in and out of Florida’s waters each year,” the FWC says.
“In Florida, sharks typically move inshore and north in the spring and summer, and offshore and south in the fall and winter months.”
Which beach in Florida is the safest from sharks?
No matter where you are in Florida, if you’re in the ocean, there’s a chance you’re swimming with sharks. But there are a few beaches where shark bites are less likely to happen, based on ISAF shark bite counts.
Here are the Florida counties with fewer than 10 recorded shark bites and how many bites have occurred in each county since 1882, according to ISAF:
Safety tips for avoiding shark attacks in Florida
The FWC’s guide to sharing the water with sharks says that there’s no surefire way to avoid a shark bite, but you can reduce your chances of being bitten.
“Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida’s beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks,” the FWC says.
“According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.”
Here are some tips to reduce your chances of being bitten by a shark, from the FWC:
Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida still leads the U.S. in shark bites, 11 bites in 2025
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
