Inside ‘shark bite capital' where bloodthirsty beasts savage swimmers in shallows… but tourists face even bigger threat

The Sun

12-07-2025

WHEN people seek thrills in Florida, they typically head straight to Orlando's world-famous theme parks for an unforgettable adrenaline rush.
However, just an hour down the coast, a different kind of excitement awaits in the Atlantic—one that doesn't require rollercoasters or long queues.
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At first glance, the quaint seaside town of New Smyrna Beach appears to be the picture-perfect destination for sun, sand, and soaking up the glorious weather.
Nestled on Florida's Atlantic coast, its golden beaches, diverse selection of restaurants, and vibrant spots to enjoy something cold and refreshing make for an idyllic summer holiday.
The beach stretches for miles, vast enough for everyone to find their own space without the hassle of jostling for position.
You can even drive along the sand to locate your ideal patch.
Beneath the surface of this American dream, however, lies a sharper reality.
Regularly dubbed America's 'Shark Bite Capital,' New Smyrna Beach has an unusually high number of shark encounters.
Since the late 19th century, the area has recorded more than 300 bites—more than anywhere else in the United States.
The reasons? It's not simply a matter of bad luck.
While the rip currents, particularly near Ponce Inlet just north of New Smyrna, are a known hazard, the region's topography attracts a multitude of shark species.
The inlet's man-made channel—approximately 40 feet deep—creates powerful currents that not only pose risks to swimmers but also draw schools of baitfish and other marine species.
Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters
These dense concentrations of prey attract sharks, which in turn lure anglers and surfers, who lap up the consistent offering of surfable waves.
This creates a perfect storm for opportunistic blacktips, hammerheads, and spinners, who can gravitate towards the people in the water, looking for something to nibble on.
In 2023 alone, eight confirmed shark bites occurred here, accounting for half of all incidents reported in Florida that year.
In July 2024, four bites were recorded in the span of a single week.
By comparison, Australia reported 15 shark attacks in 2023—four of them fatal—largely due to the presence of larger, more aggressive species like the great white.
North American waters are typically home to smaller sharks, which are responsible for most bites and rarely pose a life-threatening risk.
Seasonality also plays a role, as warmer summer waters attract fearsome beasts closer to shore.
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Peak activity months run from April to October.
Just days before The Sun visited New Smyrna Beach to speak to locals and surfers about the risks, a Floridian was hospitalised after being bitten.
Matthew Bender had to go under the knife after his arm was left savaged - saying he felt the shark "clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere".
The threat - whether exaggerated by statistics or not - is real, and ever-present.
On the main, picturesque stretch of white sandy beaches, families were happily enjoying the waves.
Tom, a local in his 80s, said: 'I've lived here for 30 years. I've never seen anyone attacked by a shark on this part of the beach.'
The only problem beachgoer Karen encountered was her little granddaughter growing tired and wanting to go home.
'Of course I've heard about this place being called the shark bite capital,' Karen explained.
'The stats are there, but I had no issue going into the water. I just stand near other people to make sure they get bitten first,' she added with a laugh.
However, the situation is vastly different a few miles down the beach, where the inlet's currents are at their strongest.
Earlier this year, The Sun spoke to Volusia County Beach Safety Captain Stephen Canfield, who admitted he was more worried about people drowning than being eaten alive.
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But to get a clearer picture, we visited local business owner and surf club leader, Mike DeNato.
Mike has surfed the lively waves of New Smyrna for decades and is all too aware of the risks.
He explained that most incidents occur when people accidentally fall on a shark or step on one.
As we spoke, a customer in Mike's pet shop, Cap'n Lu's, overheard the conversation and immediately dismissed the concerns, accusing us of exaggerating the danger.
'People get very emotional when you talk about sharks here,' Mike confirmed.
'Everyone has their own perspective. Some make light of it, saying, 'It's only a bite.'
'But it's not just a bite—it's traumatic. Seeing a shark next to you is terrifying.'
Mike knows this firsthand.
Recently, he encountered a massive 450-pound great white shark just metres away from him and a friend.
While such sightings are rare, they're no less frightening.
Thanks to advancements in tracking technology and research collaborations with groups like the ones at Florida Atlantic University, scientists are gaining valuable insights into shark behaviour and movement.
This research is helping to improve safety measures for both locals and visitors.
The shark Mike saw had been tagged by marine biologists and named 'Danny'.
Researchers at FAU monitor these apex predators to observe their movements.
Mike shared another story involving friends who mistakenly thought they had caught a broken fishing pole, only to realise it was attached to a shark.
The creature began circling agitated surfers, but he managed to guide the group back to shore safely.
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Despite these harrowing encounters, Mike remains undeterred from surfing.
He recalled witnessing a woman in her 70s suffer a severe foot injury from a shark bite.
Although she took some time away from the water, she eventually returned to surfing.
In his role at the local Smyrna Surfari Club, the business owner and local surf veteran frequently advises young surfers - stressing the importance of awareness and reminding them that most bites occur in shallow water.
'I wouldn't swim in there,' he admitted. 'No matter how shallow it is.'
At the locally renowned Red Dog Surf Shop, manager Caleb Johnston introduced us to SharkBanz—special bands designed to deter sharks.
The device uses powerful magnets to disrupt a shark's electroreceptors, startling them and causing them to swim away.
Caleb, an experienced surfer, has had his own close calls.
In the early 2000s, he stepped on a shark's head while surfing.
'I felt the sharp edge of its teeth,' he recalled. 'It was like a burning needle going into my foot. I was in shock.'
Though his injury required hospital treatment, Caleb considered himself lucky.
Others haven't been so fortunate. Some of Caleb's friends have given up surfing altogether, still grappling with the physical and emotional scars of their painful,nightmare encounters.
'The toughest part is you never know if it'll happen again,' he admitted.
Still, surfers continue to chase the perfect wave. With New Smyrna offering 365 days of action, the fun never stops.
As The Sun visited a local surfing hotspot, two teenagers, Trey King and Jeremy Zahnle, were enjoying the waves.
'I think it'd be cool if I got a shark bite, as long as it's not life-altering,' Trey joked.
'The girls would love it,' Jeremy added.
Surfers clearly won't be deterred.
Events like the upcoming Pro-Am surf competition, organised in memory of legendary boarder Mike Martin, and the scholarships awarded by the Smyrna Surfari Club continue to inspire the community.
'The surf here is so good,' said Jeremy. 'It would suck if a shark bit me, but we know the risks.'
'If you let fear stop you from enjoying life, you'll be afraid of everything,' concluded Caleb.
'It's just nature. There are dolphins, turtles, sharks, and crabs. You have to take your chances and accept the risks.'