While sharks are a natural part of the Caribbean ecosystem, shark attacks in St. Thomas and the wider U.S. Virgin Islands are extremely rare. Historically, the region has seen only a handful of unprovoked attacks since the 1700s. However, in early January 2026, a high-profile fatal shark attack occurred off Dorsch Beach in neighboring St. Croix, which increased public concern across the territory. Despite this tragic anomaly, the statistical risk remains incredibly low—roughly 1 in 10 million. Common species in the local waters include the nurse shark, which is generally docile, and occasionally reef or lemon sharks. To stay safe in 2026, experts recommend avoiding swimming at dusk or dawn, staying away from murky water near river mouths, and not wearing shiny jewelry that could be mistaken for fish scales. For the vast majority of tourists, the greatest "threats" in the water are actually sunburn, dehydration, and jellyfish stings rather than an encounter with a shark.