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Why are there no sharks in the Caribbean?

In the Caribbean, shark populations have been decimated along a number of fronts. Loss of reef habitat and health has driven shark decline. Destructive longline fishing for commercially valuable fish like tuna or swordfish has had a devastating impact on sharks (and sea turtles, seabirds, marine mammals) as bycatch.



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Swim only within the designated area Many Caribbean beaches have no lifeguards, and the swim areas are marked to prevent people from entering dangerous areas. Dangerous areas could include sharp rocks, sudden undertows, rip currents, or harmful sea creatures.

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Shark diving in the Bahamas is a thrilling experience that allows you to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures. While some tours feature safety cages, the Bahamas offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim safely in open waters with lots of different shark species.

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1. West End, Grand Bahama Island. If your idea of a relaxing week spend in the sun doesn't include the words “shark infested,” you might want to consider avoiding the West End on Grand Bahama Island: It's one of the most shark-populated beaches in the world.

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There are different shark species found in other regions of Puerto Rico. The sharks prefer to swim in the very deep end of the ocean, where you'll only see them if you're going on a fishing trip in a boat to the deep sea. There are currently six common “Puerto Rican” sharks you'll hear about.

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On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.

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A: Yes, but it is extremely rare. The water is clear and shallow near Cancun and Riviera Maya, which makes it impossible for large sharks to be in the areas where people are in the water. Making sure to keep a healthy distance between you and any shark you see is essential.

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The World's Most Shark-Infested Beaches
  • New Smyrna Beach, Florida. West Coast Scapes/Shutterstock. ...
  • Makena Beach, Maui. Billy McDonald/Shutterstock. ...
  • Bolinas, California. cdrin/Shutterstock. ...
  • Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua. ...
  • West End, Grand Bahamas. ...
  • Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa. ...
  • Coffin Bay, Australia. ...
  • Topsail Island, North Carolina.


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No, great white sharks do not live in the area around the Bahamas.

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