Are Florida beaches safe from sharks?

Florida's beaches are notorious for shark attacks, and this isn't because shark attacks occur so frequently. Florida is considered the shark bite capital of the world.



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“Don't go swimming far out. Stay in close. Stay near people,” Hueter said. Despite Florida being the shark bite capital of the world, the risk is still incredibly low.

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The downside includes hot, humid weather, and the risk of hurricanes.
  • 8 Sanibel Island Beaches.
  • 7 Key Biscayne.
  • 6 Fort De Soto State Park.
  • 5 Siesta Key Beach.
  • 4 St. Augustine Beach.
  • 3 Clearwater Beach.
  • 2 Cocoa Beach.
  • 1 Marco Island Beaches.


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Florida has seven of the nation's 10 “deadliest beaches,” according to a travel survey, and shark attacks were a key factor. New Smyrna Beach, 105 miles southeast of Jacksonville, topped the list with 32 shark attacks since 2010, Travel Lens reports.

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There have been 896 shark attacks in Florida since 1837, only 19 of which occurred near Miami. Most victims were either swimming, wading, kayaking, surfing, or paddleboarding. Shark attacks near Miami and in all of Florida happen more in July, August, and September than in any other month.

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Be Aware of Rip Currents. Rip Currents are very common on the East Coast of Central Florida. Those that are unaware of the rip current environment can get into trouble quickly, and often without warning. Waves and currents can knock you off your feet even in knee-deep water.

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Rip currents are another concern that beachgoers should be aware of. Strong rip currents increase the risk of drowning. According to the National Weather Service, the risk for rip currents is moderate or high for all South Florida beaches and most of the remainder of the state.

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Swimming at beaches in Florida is possible year round. Summer temperatures reach into the 30°C range and trips to the beach become a necessity. Florida borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Florida Crime Rate (2023) - Avoiding Crimes in Florida While Florida is generally considered a safe place to travel, it's important to be aware of potential risks and take precautions to avoid them. Florida's crime rate is higher than the national average, and some areas are more dangerous than others.

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As a general rule, the water anywhere in Florida will be warm enough to swim between April and October. During the cooler months, the farther south you go, the warmer it will be. Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys, Marco Island and Naples will have the warmest water during the winter.

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