The ocean calls to millions of swimmers every year, offering refreshing relief from daily stress and an incredible way to connect with nature. But lurking beneath those sparkling waves are some of nature’s most efficient predators – sharks. Before you let fear keep you on dry land, consider this: swimmers and waders accounted for the majority of unprovoked bites, representing 50% of the incidents, while surfers accounted for 34%, and snorkelers/free divers accounted for 8%. Yet the total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low. The key isn’t avoiding the water entirely – it’s learning how to swim smarter and safer.
16. Know Your Enemy – Understanding Which Sharks Are Actually Dangerous
Here’s something that might surprise you: out of over 500 shark species swimming in our oceans, only three are responsible for a double-digit number of fatal, unprovoked attacks on humans: the great white, tiger, and bull. That’s less than 1% of all shark species! Think of it like this – if sharks were cars, you’d only need to worry about three models out of 500. The great white is like that sleek sports car that looks intimidating but rarely shows up in your neighborhood. Tiger sharks are the pickup trucks – versatile and found in many environments. Bull sharks? They’re the motorcycles that can surprisingly appear in places you wouldn’t expect, including rivers and shallow coastal waters. Most other sharks are more interested in fish, seals, and smaller prey than they are in humans.
15. Master the Buddy System – Never Swim Alone
Always stay with a buddy, since sharks are more likely to approach a solitary individual. It’s not just about having someone to chat with while you float – there’s real science behind this tip. Sharks are ambush predators that prefer easy, isolated targets. When you swim in a group, you create what marine biologists call “safety in numbers.” Plus, if something does go wrong, you’ll have immediate help nearby. Use the Buddy System or recreate in groups. Avoid swimming, snorkeling, or surfing alone. Sharks are more likely to attack when there is only one person in the water. Think of it like walking through a sketchy neighborhood – you wouldn’t do it alone, and the same principle applies to shark territory.
14. Stay Close to Shore – Your Lifeline to Safety
Do not wander too far from shore. Being far from shore also isolates you from any emergency assistance. The farther you swim from shore, the more you’re entering the sharks’ preferred hunting grounds. Most shark encounters happen in deeper waters where sharks feel more comfortable and confident. Staying within 100 yards of shore isn’t just about shark safety – it’s about overall ocean safety. Swim close to shore. Many sharks hunt along or inhabit the reefs edge or drop offs. Recreating near shore has the added advantage of a quick rescue in the event of an encounter. If you need help, whether from a shark, riptide, or medical emergency, shore-based lifeguards and other swimmers can reach you much faster.
13. Avoid Dawn and Dusk Swimming – Prime Hunting Time
Avoid being in the water during low light hours (dawn or dusk) and at night when many sharks are most active and feeding. Sharks don’t punch a time clock, but they do have preferred feeding schedules. Dawn and dusk are like happy hour for sharks – that’s when they’re most active and hunting. Avoid swimming and surfing at dawn, dusk and night – sharks can see you but you can’t see them. During these times, the lighting conditions work against you. Sharks have excellent vision adapted for low-light conditions, while your human eyes struggle to see clearly underwater. Do not swim or enter the ocean during low light. Some sharks may be more active at night, dawn, and dusk, plus their vision could be impaired by the low light. It’s like playing hide and seek with someone who has night-vision goggles while you’re wearing a blindfold.
12. Avoid Murky Waters – Visibility Matters
Use extra caution when waters are murky, some shark species will have just as much trouble seeing as you. Murky water creates a dangerous situation for everyone involved. When sharks can’t see clearly, they rely more heavily on their other senses and may investigate objects by biting them. Avoid activity in areas with poor water visibility, such as near river mouths or after periods of heavy rainfall. Think of murky water as nature’s version of a blind date gone wrong – nobody knows what they’re getting into until it’s too late. River mouths are particularly risky because they often contain runoff that attracts fish, which in turn attracts sharks. After heavy rains, coastal waters become cloudy with sediment, creating perfect conditions for mistaken identity encounters.
11. Skip the Bling – Avoid Shiny Jewelry and Bright Colors
Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light may resemble the sheen of fish scales. Your favorite necklace or watch might look great on Instagram, but underwater it can act like a dinner bell for sharks. Don’t wear shiny objects like necklaces, earrings or watches. The glint from metal jewelry may resemble a fish or their scales, and attract curious sharks. The same goes for bright, contrasting colors in swimwear. When it comes to sharks, the color of your clothing and gear matters. Sharks have monochromatic vision, so it would be smart to avoid colors like white, yellow, and/or neon when swimming or diving because those may stand out more brightly in a blue ocean. Sticking to darker colors, like black and blue, can minimize unwanted attention from sharks. Think of it this way: you want to blend in with the ocean environment, not stand out like a neon sign advertising “fresh human here.”
10. Control Your Splashing – Don’t Act Like Injured Prey
Refrain from excess splashing, particularly in a single spot. Sharks can hear the low-frequency sounds from splashing and may investigate to see if there is a fish/prey in distress. Excessive splashing sends the wrong message to sharks – it mimics the behavior of injured fish or struggling prey animals. It is a good rule of thumb to avoid acting and/or looking like anything a shark could mistake as prey. Avoid erratic movements and splashing like a sick or injured animal. Act like a predator, not prey. When you’re in the water, move smoothly and confidently. Don’t splash or make erratic motions that might alert a shark. Instead of thrashing around like you’re in distress, swim with purpose and control. Remember, sharks are attracted to weakness and chaos – show them strength and calm instead.
9. Stay Away from Shark Snacks – Avoid Areas with Marine Life Activity
Stay away from prey like seals, sea turtles and large schools of fish. Sharks often hunt in large schools, and federal law requires maintaining distance from marine mammals and sea turtles. If you see diving seabirds, schools of fish, or marine mammals, that’s your cue to find a different swimming spot. Spotting diving seabirds or a flurry of activity in the water from a pod of dolphins can be thrilling, but you’ll do well to learn the signs of baitfish shoaling in an area. To reduce your risk of encountering a shark, don’t swim out into the midst of a shoal of palatable shark snacks like sardines. It’s like swimming into a shark’s version of a buffet line – you don’t want to be mistaken for the main course. Like most predators, sharks gravitate to where food is plentiful. Avoid swimming at the mouth of a river or near seabirds, seals, or fishing boats.
8. Avoid Fishing Areas – Don’t Swim Where Bait Is Present
Do not enter the water where active fishing is occurring, or where bait or other attractants are used. Fishing areas are like setting up a picnic table in shark territory and then jumping in the middle of it. Be aware that using bait to lure fish may attract sharks. The scents from bait, blood from caught fish, and the general activity around fishing operations create an irresistible attraction for sharks. Fishers also often put bait into the water to attract fish to their lines, and discard scraps and leftover bait that may prove irresistible to sharks in the area. Even if you don’t see active fishing, areas where people commonly fish still retain scent trails that can attract sharks hours or even days later. It’s better to find a swimming spot far from any fishing activity.
7. Learn to Read Shark Body Language – Know the Warning Signs
Sharks are not inherently ‘aggressive,’ but they can be territorial or competitive. Sharks will use their body language prior to any physical confrontation. If you notice a shark is dropping its pectoral fins (like when a cat arches its back) or holding its mouth open (like when a dog snarls), slowly back away, give it space, and exit the water. Sharks communicate their intentions through body language, just like any other animal. Observe and respond to a shark’s behaviour. If it appears excited or agitated, exhibiting quick, jerky movements or other erratic behaviour, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible. An agitated shark might swim in tight circles, arch its back, or make sudden, jerky movements. These are clear warning signs that you need to give the shark space immediately. Think of it like recognizing when a dog is about to become aggressive – the signs are there if you know what to look for.
6. Watch for Fish Behavior Changes – Nature’s Early Warning System
If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water. Fish are often the first to sense a shark’s presence, and their behavior can serve as your early warning system. Be aware of the behaviour of fish. If they suddenly dive for cover or appear agitated, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible. A shark may be nearby. When fish suddenly disappear, dart toward the bottom, or gather in tight, nervous schools, that’s nature’s way of telling you something big and predatory is approaching. Marine animals have evolved sophisticated early warning systems – use their millions of years of evolution to your advantage. It’s like watching birds suddenly go quiet in a forest – something’s not right, and it’s time to pay attention.
5. Stay Calm if You Spot a Shark – Don’t Panic
If you do encounter a white shark, remain calm and signal for help on shore, avoiding panicked or erratic movements. Panic is your worst enemy in a shark encounter. Sharks can sense fear. Despite it being easier said than done, try not to panic. When you see a shark, your first instinct might be to thrash toward shore as fast as possible, but this could trigger the shark’s predatory response. If you see a shark while in the water, keep eyes on the shark and back away slowly. Maintain eye contact with the shark – this shows you’re aware of its presence and aren’t behaving like prey. Back away slowly while facing the shark, and signal calmly to others on shore. Remember, most shark encounters end with the shark simply swimming away once it realizes you’re not its preferred meal.
4. Position Yourself Vertically – Don’t Look Like Prey
If a shark heads straight for you, turn and face it. Tread water so you’re in a vertical formation. By remaining vertical in the water, you’ll appear less like the shark’s regular prey, e.g. a seal, which is more often recognised as horizontal in the water. This is one of the most important defensive techniques you can learn. If a shark is coming straight towards you and you don’t have enough time to exit the water you can try two things to reduce the severity: Put yourself into a vertical position and tread water to make yourself appear less like the shark’s usual prey. Sharks are programmed to recognize prey shapes, and seals, their favorite meal, typically appear horizontal at the surface. By positioning yourself vertically, you’re breaking that prey profile and appearing more like something unfamiliar and potentially threatening. It’s like changing your silhouette from “dinner” to “unknown threat.”
3. Aim for Sensitive Spots if Attacked – Fight Back Strategically
Grab any available weapon, such as a paddle or a diving knife, ready to strike at its eyes and gills. If you have no weapon, you’ll need to gouge at these vulnerable areas using your hands. Striking the snout is another sensitive spot that could be sufficient discouragement. If a shark makes contact, you need to fight back immediately and aggressively. If the shark is in attack mode try to fend off with your spear or hand at the end of the nose where the shark is most sensitive. Strike at the eyes or gills until the shark releases you or turns away. The eyes and gills are a shark’s most vulnerable spots – they’re like hitting the “off” button. Don’t play dead or go limp; sharks interpret this as prey behavior. Instead, show the shark you’re a formidable opponent that’s not worth the trouble. Use whatever you have available – camera, fins, or even your fists.
2. Know Basic First Aid for Shark Bites – Stopping the Bleeding
After a shark attack, the greatest risk is bleeding out. Stopping the bleed is a priority in shark attack first aid. You can bleed out from an amputated limb in under 5 minutes. Massive bleeds are life threatening – victims can die within five to 10 minutes if nothing is done. The best way to stop the bleed from a shark bite is to apply a commercial-grade tourniquet, found in a medical kit. If you do not have access to a commercial-grade tourniquet, pack the wound with a clean bandage, gauze, or cloth (remember to avoid towels for this), and continue to hold pressure with both hands until EMS arrives. While waiting for emergency services, here are the first aid steps you should take: Put pressure directly on the wound, using gauze, a towel, or any other available cloth. If the wound is an avulsion, you may have to put pressure on exposed muscle or fat tissue—this may be necessary to save the victim’s life. Time is absolutely critical – every second counts when dealing with massive bleeding. A shark bite can lead to a life-threatening bleed if the bleeding is not stopped within 3-5 minutes, and with the average ambulance response time being 11 minutes it is crucial to know the correct first aid.
1. Swim at Patrolled Beaches – Your Best Safety Net
One of the simplest safety routines to follow is to only swim at patrolled beaches and to stay between the flags. This is the safest place to swim because lifesavers and lifeguards are there to monitor beach and water conditions and maximise the safety of all beach goers. Patrolled beaches are your best bet for safe swimming – they’re like having a professional security system for your ocean experience. Swim where you’re asked to stay. Just as you should do to avoid drowning or injury by entering the ocean where there are rip currents or other risks, enter the ocean at recognised beaches with patrols, a swimming perimeter or demarcated flags. When you do this, there is access to help at hand if anything goes awry: from lifeguards to fellow beach users, amenities and access to roads and infrastructure. Lifeguards are trained to spot dangerous conditions, including shark activity, and have direct communication with emergency services.
As a little kid, I fell in love with nature, wildlife, and animals. Living in the USA, South Africa, Italy, China and Germany gave me the opportunity to discover the world's Wildlife. My favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Siberian Tigers, and Great White Sharks.
I'm a certified PADI Open Water Diver, went to Everest Base Camp and Trekked Gorillas in Uganda. I hold a Master of Science in Economics and Finance.
Please send any feedback to feedback@animalsaroundtheglobe.com
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