florida shark tours

Shark Sightseeing & Diving Tours in Florida

• Most Popular

Swim with sharks in their own environment, off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida! Get in the water with more than 10 species of sharks and see them up close!

• Info Up to 6 people
• User All ages to ride, must be 12+ to get in water

Half day or Full day

Are you a frequent diver.

Save over $250 when you purchase 8 Half Day Seafari trips in advance.

Purchase on today’s date, and receive an alpha-numeric code at check out. This code will be entered into the Frequent Diver Code box when you are booking your trips online. The code can be used all at once or over time; it can also be shared amongst multiple divers.

Ecotourism helps save sharks

By spreading conservation through education and safely interacting with sharks, eco-tour operations are the most effective way to spread awareness.

We are here for YOU!

We are extremely proud of our passionate and safety-minded crew! See who’s on the team by clicking below!

What SHARKS will you see?

With more than 15 species of SHARKS that inhabit Florida’s waters, Every trip is a new adventure. Click below for common and rare species!

READ MORE ABOUT SHARK TOURS ★★★★★

Shark Tours Florida has it all figured out. I took my 10 year old son on an amazing experience we will both cherish for life and none of it would be possible with out Ryan, Kaitlin and crew. The entire crew worked hard to ensure we had a great trip and were safe too. I am looking forward to going again.

Just got home from an amazing time with Shark Tours Florida! Ryan and the captain were so patient and nice to everyone! They both made me and my husband feel super safe! I was quite nervous being my first time in such deep water and SCARED TO DEATH of sharks but I’m so glad I literally took the plunge and did it. We will def be back to do it again! See ya in a few weeks guys.

I highly suggest taking a trip with Ryan and his crew. Ryan's very knowledgeable and super enthusiastic about everything that is the ocean. Will definitely book another tour with him! Oh, and his photography skills are amazing too!

Had a great time with Ryan Walton and his crew. Very professional and take your safety serious. I highly recommend these guys if your interested in seeing these epic creatures up close! This was my 3rd trip out with Ryan and it’s been action packed each time and never felt in danger at all.

No prior experience needed. COME GET ADDICTED!

The ultimate ecotourism shark diving tour in Jupiter, FL.

Shark Addicts was born from Cameron & Mickey's deep love of the ocean as well as the necessity for public education about finning and culling. 100 million sharks are killed annually; a dangerous number for our ocean's health and sustainability.

Are you ready to get addicted?

Tours starting at $99.

Shark Addicts offers world class, fully immersive shark diving expeditions in Jupiter, Florida. Each trip is specifically designed to bring you safely face to face with the region's most prolific shark species. These once in a lifetime educational experiences are guaranteed to change your perspective of the ocean forever.

No prior diving experience or certifications are necessary.

About your trip

• Maximum of 6 people per trip.
• Video/photo package is per group.
• Charter is 3-3.5 hours in duration and leaves from Jupiter, FL.
• Available time slots: 8am-11am | 12pm-3pm 
• Please arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to your scheduled dive.
• Must be 13 years of age (Legal parent / guardian must sign prior to arriving at dock); Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent / guardian.
• Large dome port and professional cameras in underwater housings are permitted.
• Action Cameras may be affixed to your body.

*PRIVATE CHARTERS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

 PLEASE CALL OR TEXT 561.768.1221 TO ARRANGE A DATE AND TIME.*

REQUIRED GEAR IS INCLUDED FREE WITH BOOKING OR BRING YOUR OWN (DARK COLORS)

 Jupiter’s proximity to the Gulf Stream Current makes it one of the most highly diversified marine ecosystems in the world. Your experience will be like no other! And with up to 3 hours of time in the water, your time will be well spent observing and interacting with some of the ocean's most prolific shark species. When your time is done, you will leave this experience with a new-found perspective, admiration, and respect for the ocean. Guaranteed. The standards of the Shark Addicts team have separated us from other entities from the very beginning. While we all enjoy the thrill of new experiences and adventures, safety and the education of our guests is our number one goal. It is our hope that everyone that joins us on our vessel walks away from this experience with a new-found perspective of our ocean's ecosystems and the sharks humanity so heavily relies on.  Shark Addicts was launched due to the necessity for public education about finning and culling. Sharks are irreplaceable components of our seas – as apex predators, they support healthy fisheries by ostensibly regulating the ocean’s marine life. 100 million are killed annually; A dangerous number for our oceans health and sustainability.  

Shark Addicts Jupiter, FL Shark Diving

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

__________________________________

RESCHEDULE / REFUNDS ARE ISSUED FOR TRIP CANCELLATIONS DUE TO INCLIMATE UNSAFE WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR CANCELLATIONS DUE TO INTERNAL OPERATION ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE. 

We are at the mercy of adverse conditions including rough seas, which can cause sea-sickness. Please opt to take sea sickness medication prior to departure. Due to the high demand for bookings and limited number of spots available, refunds are only issued for cancellations 14 days prior to your booked trip. A Reschedule can be arranged if we are given 2 weeks notice, if no reschedule options are available we can keep your dive as a credit. Additionally, sea sickness is common and is not applicable for refunds. We usually encounter multiple sharks during every trip, but can’t guarantee sharks on every dive, our team will work tirelessly to ensure the best results at our aggregation locations, customers should be aware that these are wild animals. Winds, currents, and other contingencies may present rare challenges. In the rare event of no sharks, we will issue you a free dive credit / reschedule option.

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Better yet, see you on the water!

Shark addicts.

805 US-1 Jupiter, FL 33477

561.768.1221 [email protected]

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sunshine state road trippin

Shark swimming & cage diving: Florida’s top 7 shark tours

March 8, 2023 by Jan R Leave a Comment

Shark watching in Florida is a unique, exhilarating and educational activity to check off your bucket list. Florida has the largest concentration of sharks on the east coast. Most of Florida’s shark watching opportunities are in South Florida out of Jupiter, due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream and the abundance of marine diversity in this area. So if you’re specifically traveling to Florida for swimming or diving with sharks, make a trip to the Jupiter area. On the majority of these tours be sure to bring shoes that can get wet, comfortable clothes, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Pack something to snack on and well as dramamine if you feel the need the night before. Capture the experience with your camera, Go-Pro,  or cell phone.

To more easily plan your trip, here’s a map of these top shark watching tours that I’ve discovered thus far.

Florida Shark Diving

• 1095 N Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477 
• Daily trip times 8AM, 11AM and 2PM

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Florida Shark Diving (@floridasharkdiving)

Florida Shark Diving is one of Florida’s top shark tour companies with great customer service. They offer shark cage diving trips as well as shark viewing trips, no experience necessary.

Florida Shark Diving Trips

$195.00 per person, up to 6 guests

These trips go beyond 3 miles of the shore into the deep waters of the Gulf Stream. Sharks often seen on dives include Tiger, Great Hammerhead, Scalloped Hammerhead, Bull, Dusky, Silky, Lemon, Sandbar, Blacktip, and Reef Sharks. Come face to face with the sharks in Florida’s warm clear waters. Trips are tailored to experienced or novice divers.

Shark Viewing Trips

$95.00 per person, up to 6 guests

Get out to see and watch these awe-inspiring Florida shark species from the comfort of the boat! Great for families and groups who want to see sharks in the wild without getting in the water. Get up close and personal with the sharks of Florida, just thirty minutes from the dock and in the calm waters of the coastal Atlantic. Morning and afternoon trips are available. 

Shark Tours Florida

• 255 E 22nd Ct, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
• Shark Tours Florida offers shark sightseeing and diving tours out of Riviera Beach, FL .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shark Tours Florida (@sharktoursfl)

Shark Safari or Swimming with Sharks Tour

• From $159 for up to 6 people
• All ages can ride, must be 12+ to get in water
• Duration: 3.5 hours total (1.5 hours in water)
• Tours start at 9AM & 1PM

Swim with sharks in their own territory off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida. Get up close with 10+ species of sharks, no experience necessary! If you’re on the fence about getting in the water, simply sign up as a rider and see the action from the boat. In the summer you’ll likely see silky sharks, sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads, smooth hammerheads, bull sharks, dusky sharks, blacktip sharks, and more! In the winter you may catch view of lemon sharks, tiger sharks, great hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, and other.

Shark Addicts

• 805 US-1, Jupiter, FL 33477 
• Tours start at $99

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cameron Nimmo (@sharkaddicts)

The owners started Shark Addicts for their love of the ocean as well as the necessity for public education about finning and culling. Millions of sharks are killed annually; which is dangerous for our ocean’s health and sustainability. Tours start at $99 for spectators.

Ecotourism Shark Diving Tour

• $199 for Divers / $99 for Spectators

These fully immersive shark diving expeditions are specifically designed to bring you safely face to face with the region’s most prolific shark species. No prior diving experience or certifications are necessary. They’ll provide you with mask, fins, gloves and snorkel, rash guard, and water bottles.

Shark Fishing Cocoa Beach

• 728 Scallop Dr, Port Canaveral, FL 32920
• $550 for 4-hour trip up to 6 people

While this is more of a fishing charter than a viewing or swimming tour, this is a great option if someone in your party is more interested in the fishing in addition to the viewing. On the Space Coast of Central Florida you’re likely to encounter a variety of sharks including Black tip, Black nose, Spinner, Thresher, Lemon, Hammerhead, Bonnethead, and Nurse sharks. You may also catch rays, an occasional redfish and more.

Key West Extreme Adventures

• 2-hour tour
• Adults – $89.00
• Children (6 years  – 16 years old) –  $49.00
• Children (under 6 years) – free

View this profile on Instagram Key West Extreme Adventures (@ keywestextremeadventures ) • Instagram photos and videos

Key West Eco Tours

This is your opportunity to enjoy shark and wildlife eco tours in Key West aboard the custom built 34-foot eco-adventure vessel “Tiger Cat”. Experience eco tours through the pristine backcountry waters of Key West for 2 hours of shark and wildlife viewing. They’ll deploy a scent to attract the sharks up to the boat. In these calm waters you’ll likely see a variety of wildlife, turtles, stingrays, birds and dolphins.

Captains each have more than 30 years experience on the Florida Keys waters. While on board you’ll get a crash course on conservation and preservation of the fascinating marine environment and keeping the natural resources of the backcountry waters safe and intact. Private tours and large group rates are available. Meeting location is at Pier B behind the Opal Key Resort and there is a convenient parking garage.

Shark Chaser Charters

• Goodland Boat Ramp – 750 Palm Point Drive, Goodland, FL 34140
• 4 Hours | 3 People for $600.00 (add $50 for each additional angler/passenger)
• 6 Hours | 3 People $800.00 (add $50 for each additional angler/passenger)

View this profile on Instagram John Brossard (@ sharkchasercharters ) • Instagram photos and videos

These trips will normally travel between three to six different locations, between 2 to 8 miles out. This depends on wind conditions and where the fish are biting. You’ll normally start off with smaller rods and catch bait fish while waiting for the big ones. You’ll stay very busy while shelling, sightseeing, or Eco-touring. Included on tours are all of the necessary fishing gear, a fishing license for everyone, and water to drink. You may bring your own alcohol (in moderation) and smoking is permitted on this boat. Meeting location is Goodland Boat Ramp at 7:00 am or 1:00 pm unless otherwise stated. 

Connors Charters

• 15001 Punta Rassa Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33908
• 4 Hour Trip: $650
• 6 Hour Trip: $850

View this profile on Instagram Glenn Connors (@ connorschartersswfl ) • Instagram photos and videos

Connors offers shark fishing trips in the evenings. Night fishing trips begin with a pickup at the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp followed by a 45-minute boat ride to the fishing location. You’ll start with baiting the hooks and fishing for bait fish, so you’re really involved in the entire process from start to finish. Catch your shark and the crew will help secure it to the boat. A crew member will assist in removing the hook from the shark’s mouth and return the shark back to the gulf to maintain the balanced ecosystem. Nonalcoholic beverages and bait & tackle will be provided.

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Keys Shark Cage Adventures

Tours & Descriptions

4 hour shark viewing trips, 7:30 am to 11:30 am 12 pm to 4 pm.

Shark viewing tours are perfect for families, friends, and groups that would like to observe the ocean's apex predators without going in the water. Whether you are a local or are on vacation, our shark viewing tours bring a new perspective to sea life compared to viewing from land. It is common to observe dolphins, turtles and other marine life while on these excursions. We bring these powerful creatures right to the boat which provides a spectacular close up view by all. Upon arriving on location after only a few miles of traveling along the sparkling Floridian waters, the captain will chum the water to attract the sharks and other marine life to the vessel. A larger baitfish will be attached to a (hookless) line to allow for a unique viewing experience of the sharks chomping down on their prey. The types of sharks that you may encounter are tigers, makos, bulls, reef, hammerheads, and blues. To best fit your schedule, we offer 4-hour morning and afternoon trips. Full day charters are also available by request. Please feel free to bring your own photography and/or videography so you can capture this once in a lifetime experience.

6 Hour Shark Cage Trips

8 am to 2 pm, $225 per person with a 4 passenger minimum to sail private charter $1200 up to 6 passengers.

Our shark dive adventures are the culmination of many years of working on the water. We sail from Key Marathon on our vessel Fins, which has been outfitted to run at speed with our super strong, custom built cage. The cage comfortably holds two at a time and the entry and exit of the cage has been designed to easily provide access by everyone. If you’re not comfortable in the cage, the view from the cockpit is also spectacular. Most who begin watching from the cockpit quickly see how exciting and safe the cage is and find themselves venturing into it before the trip has ended. You do not have to have any experience as a diver to fully enjoy the beauty of sharks since it is a surface shark cage. Whether you are a local or are on vacation, our shark cage tours allow for you to become part of the majestic ocean and it’s habitants. It is common to observe dolphins, turtles and other marine life while on these excursions. Upon arriving on location after only a few miles of traveling along the sparkling Floridian waters, the captain will chum the water to attract the sharks and other marine life to the vessel. We bring these powerful creatures right to the boat which provides a spectacular close up view by all. The types of sharks you may encounter are hammerhead, bull, lemon, tiger, blacktip, and nurse, just to name a few.  Please feel free to bring your own photography and/or videography so you can capture this once in a lifetime experience. We recommend that you bring a change of clothes. You may want to pack snacks/drinks, a hat, sunblock and if you have any of your own snorkeling gear you are welcome to bring it along.

3 Hours Sharks & Rays Viewing with Sunset Cruise Trip

$100 per person with a 4 passenger minimum to sail private boat $495 up to 6 passengers.

The shark viewing and sunset cruise will have different sail times due to the changing times for sunset.

Shark & Ray viewing tours are perfect for families, friends, and groups that would like to observe the ocean’s apex predators without going in the water. Whether you are a local or are on vacation, our shark viewing tours bring a new perspective to sea life compared to viewing from land. It is common to observe dolphins, turtles and other marine life while on these excursions.

We bring these powerful creatures right to the boat which provides a spectacular close-up view by all. Upon arriving on location after only a few miles of traveling along the sparkling Floridian waters, the captain will chum the water to attract the sharks and other marine life to the vessel. A larger baitfish will be attached to a (hookless) line to allow for a unique viewing experience of the sharks chomping down on their prey. The types of sharks that you may encounter are tigers, makos, bulls, reef, hammerheads, and blues. If yourself or one of your party would like to “wet a line” and catch some dinner, you are more than welcome to.

After all the excitement from interacting with the sharks, we complete the trip with a slow sunset cruise. We will strategically position the boat you take in the full beauty of a “ postcard perfect” Florida Keys sunset from the water. Be sure to look for the green flash as the sun sets below the horizon. Please feel free to bring your own photography and/or videography so you can capture this once in a lifetime experience. Full Day Charters are available upon request.

Come Dive with Us! Book your Shark Dive today!   (305) 395-9140

Shark Viewing Trips

Trip details, cost & times.

Our Shark Viewing Tours are the perfect excursion for groups, friends and families that don’t want to get in the water with sharks but still want to be able to experience the majesty of this ocean predator all from the comfort of a reliable boat.

The Shark Viewing Trip is the ultimate solution for guests who are looking to experience the power and grace of pelagic shark species within close proximity to the dock in the waters of the Gulfstream of the Atlantic Ocean.

November 1st- March 9th: 7:30 am – 10:30 am, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, and 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

March 10th- October 31st: 8:00 am – 11:00 am, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Sharks Seen

Lemon, Bull, Blacktip, Hammerhead, Tiger

305-395-9140

[email protected].

Florida Keys - Miami Palm Beach - Jupiter

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

The experience, what to expect on a shark diving trip.

Once the crew is on the boat we head out on a 30-minute boat ride to the shark trip dive site.

On the ride out, and at the dive site the Captain will go over the dive procedures in detail and answers any questions the group has about the shark trip. Once all information has been covered, we begin deploying our shark attractant setup which usually brings sharks in quickly, rarely over a half an hour of wait time.

Once the sharks of Florida are around the boat they are ready to feed and take what they can from around the boat. From here it’s time to get ready to dive and as we lower the cage into the water everybody gets suited up.

When the divers are ready, they make their way to the cage which is strongly secured right next to the boat. In addition to shark cage diving , we also offer a freediving shark trip where our divers stay right around the platform of the boat without the cage for an unforgettable open-ocean experience.

One quick jump or a few steps down from the boat and the divers are in the cage, free to watch as the sharks swim around the boat. For those that need a reality check, it is impossible for these sharks to get into the cage and you are treated to an exhilarating adventure .

Our operation is designed with conservation and functionality as the number one aspect. After the divers get used to the routine they can get in and out of the cage as much as they want throughout the day. There is no greater way to spend the day than to be out on the water watching one of the wild’s greatest predators .

If you have any questions at all about the diving shark trips feel free to email or call us with any questions you have. Palm Beach Shark Diving has some of the best Shark Diving opportunities in the world and we look forward to seeing you on the water.

What to Expect on a Shark Viewing Trip

Shark Viewing Trips are essentially the same as the Shark Diving Trips, the only difference being our guests simply watch the sharks from the boat instead of getting into the water.

To make our Shark Viewing trips more fun for our guests, we often use a Surface Baitline to bring the sharks right up to the surface next to the boat so close they often splash our guests with water. This allows our Shark Viewers a great chance to see these animals up close and personal without having to get in the water and still get in on all the action.

Palm Beach is one of the few places in the world you can bring sharks day in and day out right to the boat on the surface for people to see. We look forward to seeing you on the water with the sharks of Palm Beach.

Bringing you up close and personal

We are located at U-Tiki Beach Marina at the Address Below:

U-tiki beach marina, 1095 north a1a jupiter, fl 33477, located just 30 minutes north of ft. lauderdale, located just an hour north of miami.

[email protected]

Come Dive with Us!

(305) 395-9140

Book your Shark Adventure Today!

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THE MIAMI SHARK TOURS EXPERIENCE

Take in the action from the comfort of our boat

Your Shark Viewing Trip

Our shark viewing trips are the perfect shark tour excursion for groups and families that are looking for an unforgettable day of fun and adventure on the open ocean off of the coast of Florida.

With our shark grounds only a few miles from our dock, shark viewing trips are easily accessible and provide our guests with a memorable shark experience without ever getting their hair wet.

On shark viewing trips, our boat makes it to the shark location in under a half-hour. For shark viewing, our locations are closer to land and occur in water depths that provide for great visibility to see and interact with sharks.

Our viewing trips begin once we have reached the shark grounds and our team starts the process of chumming or attracting sharks with bait.

While each trip is unique, it usually takes no longer than an hour for the sharks to begin to visit our boat and begin interacting with our baits.

When they arrive, our team then handles throws out a number of baits on a line without any hooks and proceeds to “wrangle” sharks for our guests to enjoy.

During the wrangling, our team will show our guests how the sharks approach bait, hit on the hookless lure, and provide our guests with an up-close perspective of the natural behavior of sharks in Florida .

These trips are less time-intensive and occur throughout the day at Miami Shark Tours.

Designed with families and groups in mind, this experience is our most popular excursion and provides guests with a top of the line shark experience from the deck of our boat.

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Shark Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

SIFT Tours is a family run organization. We want to share our love for the outdoors and discovery. We fell in love paddling the beautiful Peace River in Central Florida and finding sharks teeth with our family. We think you will too! Come join us!  

LET'S GO SHARKIN'!!

 ALL DOWNSTREAM PADDLE!!!

Where: Peace River Wauchula, FL What: Shark Teeth Digs When: Mon.-Sat. Who: Ages 7 & up (younger accomodations can be made) How much? Ages 12 and under: $90 Ages 13+: $110 We bring all the gear.  You bring a friend and snacks!  Come enjoy a true Florida adventure and get outdoors!  

Real florida adventure .

SIFT TOURS Just One More

SIFT TOURS, LLC

We are native Floridians with a love for the outdoors.  We love being on the water whether its sharkin', fishing, scalloping, skiing, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, or simply floating down a river.  

Our family has been sifting sharks teeth/fossils for years. 

We've made incredible memories together and are always ready for the next adventure!  

Sift Tours would love to share the fun with YOU!

Get in the boat and let's see what we can find!

TRIP DETAILS

 TRIP DETAILS - The tour is approximately 5 hours including paddle and sifting time. We will transport you by van to a North access point on the river, and paddle and drift with the current back to your vehicle.  We may may stop at multiple locations to sift. On the way, you see natural Florida and its wildlife including: turtles, gators, fish, various birds, and sometimes wandering cattle. At the end of the tour, you receive a souvenir jar for all your treasures.

7-12 years old - $9 0

13 & up - $110

(we will accommodate younger children - please call or email for details)

WE BRING ALL THE GEAR!  YOU BRING LUNCH/SNACKS/DRINKS!

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE WATERSHOES!  

* We will collect payment the day of the tour.  We use Cash App, Venmo, and Cash payments. 

*  All Participants must sign the waiver and release to participate.  We will distribute at launch sites.

*  If anyone has any physical conditions that keep him/her from participating or could cause injury we ask that he/she not participate.  

MORE FUN COMING SOON!!

Want to leave a review  find us on facebook here...  .

Florida Named as Shark Attack Capital of the World — with U.S. Waters the Global No.1 for Bites

Florida topped the list with 16 unprovoked shark attack bites in 2023, according to a report

Swimmers need to be extra vigilant when taking a dip in Florida!

According to an International Shark Attack File shared by the Florida Museum, there have been 351 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in the Volusia County area from 1882 to the present day, followed by 159 in Brevard and 83 in Palm Beach.

The ISAF 2023 shark attack report stated Florida had the most unprovoked bites in the U.S. last year with 16, meaning the state represents 44 percent of the U.S.'s total and 23 percent of the unprovoked bites recorded worldwide. However, the report stated, "This is lower than Florida’s most recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents."

Related: Mom, 26, Dies in Apparent Shark Attack While Swimming With Daughter, 5, Off Mexico Coast

Florida was followed by eight bites in Hawaii in 2023, with one of them being fatal. New York came next with four bites, before California with two bites; one of which was fatal. North Carolina recorded three bites in 2023, South Carolina had two, and New Jersey had one.

Of the 16 bites recorded in Florida, there were eight in Volusia County. "Of the eight remaining bites, two were in Brevard County, two in St. Lucie County, and one each occurred in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia, and Pinellas counties," the report continued.

The new report stated the global total of unprovoked shark bites was slightly higher than average last year, but the number went down from 41 incidents recorded in the U.S. in 2022 to 36 total and two fatal in 2023.

Overall, the U.S was in the top spot, followed by Australia with 15 bites, four of which were fatal, according to the 2023 report.

"Seven of these occurred in western Australia, one of which was fatal (bull shark), and five bites occurred in South Australia, three of which were fatal (all white sharks). One bite was recorded for Queensland, for New South Wales, and for Tasmania over the year," the ISAF stated.

The report stated that 42 percent of shark attack victims were either surfing or doing board sports at the time of the encounter. 39 percent were swimming/wading, 13 percent were snorkeling/free-diving, and six percent were listed as "other."

Related: Boston Woman Killed in Shark Attack While Paddle Boarding Near Bahamas Resort

"The total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low. Fatalities saw an increase over the past year. Most of the fatalities in 2023 were due to white shark bites (three in Australia, one in California)," the report added.

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The number of shark attacks from 1926 to the present day rises around the summertime, with the most happening in September, according to a chart.

Per data shared by the Florida Museum, there have been 926 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in Florida from 1882 to the present day.

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Read the original article on People .

This US state was the shark-attack capital of the world in 2023

But, this is no reason to panic, researchers say, for "the total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low.", by cristina gonzalez • published may 28, 2024.

Florida is known for many things: beautiful beaches, sunny days and lots of traffic. And it also continues to reign as the shark-attack capital of the world.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File , the state recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. in 2023, with 16 confirmed cases. That represents 44% of the country’s total unprovoked shark bites. 

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" Florida  has long topped global charts for the number of shark bites, and 2023 was no different," the ISAF said.

The study defines unprovoked bites as incidents in which a bite on a live human occurs in the shark’s natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark.

However, the report also states that 2023's figure was actually ”lower than Florida’s most recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents.”

The data is no reason to panic, researchers say, for "the total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low."

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Where in Florida were the bites recorded?

U.s. & world.

Biden is expected to sign an executive action Tuesday that would temporarily shut the border when numbers surge

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Half of the cases of unprovoked shark bites happened in Volusia County. Brevard and St. Lucie counties recorded two each. Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia and Pinellas counties each reported one unprovoked shark bite each. 

Hawaii followed Florida with eight unprovoked shark bites in 2023, one of which was fatal. Two of these bites were recorded in New York, two in California and three in North Carolina. South Carolina and New Jersey were also on the list, reporting two bites and one bite, respectively. 

Forty-two percent of the cases were recorded among surfers and those practicing board sports. Swimmers and waders made up 39% of the cases. Thirteen percent of the incidents were reported among snorkelers and free divers, the ISAF states.

Worldwide, the U.S. once again took the No. 1 spot for the most unprovoked shark bites in 2023 with 36 confirmed cases, a drop from the 41 unprovoked bites reported in 2022. 

Two of the 2023 cases were fatal. 

Australia is second on the list with 15 cases of unprovoked shark bites. Four of these were fatal. 

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How to plan your Florida summer vacation with theme parks, cruises and attractions

• Sharon Kennedy Wynne Times staff

Memorial Day weekend ushered in the unofficial start of summer, and as we embark on vacation season, it’s a good time to review what’s new with Florida’s theme parks, cruise ships and attractions.

This summer will bring new coasters at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld, a rebrand of Disney’s Splash Mountain ride designed for the studio’s first Black princess, a new Tampa-based cruise ship from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea and new animals to see and pet at local zoos and aquariums.

The Sunshine State remains one of the top travel destinations in the world: More than 135 million visitors are expected to vacation in Florida this year, a number that has bounced past pre-pandemic levels. We have some of the world’s prettiest beaches and waterways, but also five of the 10 most-visited theme parks in the world. And the state welcomes more cruise ship passengers, especially PortMiami, to its terminals than any other port in the world.

That kind of traffic and record sales have inspired the industry to spend millions on ever more exciting attractions, which can help take the sting out of a high admission price.

Luckily, Florida residents do have an edge. Florida resident deals at Disney World and Universal Orlando offer discounts on multiday packages that can cut daily admission prices in half. Some cruise lines such as Disney and Royal Caribbean often have a special Florida Resident Cruise Discount. And the new Margaritaville at Sea cruise sailing out of Tampa starting in June is offering Heroes Sail Free cruises for teachers, first responders and military, allowing them to sail as many times as they’d like for free with a paying guest.

But where should we go? Buckle in as we take a tour through the many new offerings coming to Florida’s attractions.

New cruise ships

Tampa will be the port of call for the newest cruise ship from the late Jimmy Buffett’s cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, which has been offering low-cost cruises out of Palm Beach. Starting June 14, the company will be sending out the newly remodeled ship, The Islander, on four- and five-night cruises with stops in Key West, Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan town of Progreso.

Across the state at Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean is preparing for the July debut of its next megaship, Utopia of the Seas. It is shipping out six months after the debut of its wildly popular predecessor, Icon of the Seas , officially the world’s largest cruise ship sailing out of Miami. The still-giant Utopia will offer a series of three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, in contrast to Icon’s weeklong inaugural sailings this year.

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Utopia’s itineraries were designed with locals “craving a fast getaway,” Royal Caribbean said, after the company noticed an exponential rise in demand for quick weekend vacations.

Theme parks

Busch Gardens: The Tampa theme park is set to open Phoenix Rising , its 10th roller coaster. The suspended coaster will make you feel like a bird flying over the park on a 1,831-foot track with a maximum speed of 44 miles per hour.

Adventure Island: The water park across the street from Busch Gardens has a new play area called Castaway Falls. It doubles the size of its previous toddler play area, Splash Attack, and features more than 100 play elements, including two giant tipping buckets, four waterslides, water shooters and more.

Walt Disney World

• Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain has been wholly remade to erase the theming from the controversial 1946 film “Song of the South,” which has been criticized for using racist stereotypes and glorifying plantation life. The newly renamed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening in June, will star Disney’s first Black princess from the 2009 animated film “The Princess and the Frog.” The ride will be set after the final kiss of the movie. Jazzy frogs playing Afro-Cuban music will be hopping into the adventure, which still includes a five-story drop from the top of the mountain. In keeping with the New Orleans theme, beignets and gumbo will be offered in nearby food stalls. And over in Frontierland, the Country Bear Jamboree is closed with a sign that says “Bear With Us.” It will reopen this summer and feature reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music, from bluegrass to pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and other styles.
• Epcot: After several years of construction walls blocking its paths, Epcot took down those walls in late 2023 , and in June it will finally unveil the final piece of its multiyear transformation. CommuniCore Hall is the last piece of the Epcot plan that has included projects such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind indoor roller coaster and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, a walk-through attraction. CommuniCore Hall, set to be unboxed June 10, is next to the new World Celebration Gardens and the Walt the Dreamer statue that was unveiled in December. CommuniCore Hall will be the central spot for Epcot’s festivals and a Mickey & Friends character greeting area. But first up at the adjacent CommuniCore Plaza stage will be “Celebration Encanto,” a summer singalong with songs from “Encanto.” That will happen several times daily between June 10 and Sept. 6.
• Disney Springs: A new nighttime drone show called “Disney Dreams That Soar” is planned for Disney’s shopping and entertainment district. It will “showcase Disney stories celebrating the joy of flight,” according to the official Disney Parks Blog . The new production is scheduled to be up in the air nightly from May 24 through Sept. 2.
• Animal Kingdom: Saluting the 30th anniversary of the animated film “The Lion King” from June 10 through Sept. 6, the park will have themed eats, a Pumbaa popcorn bucket, a new merchandise collection and a special Timon and Rafiki meet-and-greet at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Universal Orlando

• DreamWorks Land: The Woody Woodpecker KidZone section of Universal Studios is being converted to a DreamWorks animation kids area. It will replace Curious George, Barney, Woody Woodpecker and Fievel with new feature characters, rides and attractions based on “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.” Opening June 14, you can meet Shrek and splash in his swamp, ride on the Trollercoaster and learn kung fu moves with Po.
• Also debuting June 14, a new nighttime show coming to the Universal Studios lagoon will feature 288 fountains that reach heights of up to 131 feet. It will also have 4K projection mapping, an original composition and more than 600 drones to celebrate the emotional power of music by leveraging iconic scores and scenes. Expect pictures from “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films, “Jurassic World,” “Jaws,” “Shrek,” “Ghostbusters,” “Trolls,” “Back to the Future,” “Universal Monsters,” “Transformers,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “E.T.,” “Fast and Furious,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions,” “The Mummy” and “King Kong .”
• June 14 will also be the start date for Hogwarts Always , a new nighttime extravaganza in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure. On select nights, wizards, witches and Muggles alike will be able to gather around the famed School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a visually stunning experience that will take them on a journey through iconic moments of a Hogwarts school year. The show will also have four different endings that celebrate each Hogwarts house and culminate in a colorful pyrotechnic display above the castle.
• Universal Mega Movie Parade: Starting July 3, Universal’s biggest daytime parade to date will feature 13 new floats and nearly 100 performers, including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, poi performers and more. It will celebrate classic moments from beloved movies, such as “E.T.,” “Back to the Future,” “Jaws,” “Ghostbusters,” “Jurassic World,” Illumination’s “Minions” and “Sing” and DreamWorks’ “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda.” Watch out for the massive 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man as he towers atop the “Ghostbusters” float, the colorful Caterbus and giant rainbows that shimmer on the vibrant “Trolls” float, a live marching drum line performing the iconic movie score of “Jaws” alongside a float themed to the film and dinosaurs stalking their prey beside a “Jurassic World” float — the largest figure ever featured in a Universal Orlando daytime parade.

Legoland: The new Ferrari Build and Race experience opened in March with an interactive attraction that puts guests in the driver’s seat to build, test and race their own Lego Ferrari with cutting-edge digital technology.

SeaWorld: Opening later this spring, Penguin Trek is an indoor-outdoor roller coaster that will operate in the building that held the former Empire of the Penguin attraction. The iceberg look remains and, as with the previous attraction, parkgoers will encounter the real birds in their habitat at the end of the experience, right before the gift shop. But first they will ride a coaster that moves at speeds of up to 43 miles per hour across a 3,020-foot track that traverses both the indoors and outside.

Tampa Bay attractions

ZooTampa at Lowry Park: The zoo has a new walking trail created with Tampa General Hospital that is a 1-mile loop situated among animal habitats and includes signs every eighth of a mile that help guests follow their progress and stay on track. Also new is the recently opened Stingray Shores , where you can pet stingrays. It also includes a new experience where you can get in the pool with and feed the stingrays. Also new this year is a reimagined Australia Realm featuring a new family-friendly ride, Aussie Trek, expanded water and dry play areas, and an enhanced retail shop, bar and new restaurant. The area continues to feature opportunities for up-close wildlife connections with koalas and barnyard animals as well as enhanced viewing of wallabies. 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. zootampa.org .

Clearwater Marine Aquarium: The rehab hospital for sea life recently introduced its newest resident species , octopus vulgaris. Known for its camouflage abilities, the animal can be fascinating to watch as specialized skin cells called “chromatophores” allow it to change its color, pattern and texture to blend in with its surroundings and protect it from predators. Another new resident is Opie, a juvenile male river otter brought to the aquarium after a dog attack that injured his right eye, making him unable to be released back into the wild. A new self-guided audio tour available in both a children’s version and adult version is included with admission. 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater. cmaquarium.org .

Florida Aquarium: The Tampa aquarium is in the middle of a three-year, $40 million expansion. MORPH’D is the first new gallery to open since the aquarium debuted in 1995. The gallery is full of fish and marine life never before seen at the aquarium and focuses on the ways animals adapt to their environment and camouflage themselves. Don’t miss feeding time for the archerfish, which, as its name implies, will spit a line of water like a sharpshooter to knock down a piece of shrimp hanging from a branch over its tank. The aquarium this March began a new ticketing system that now requires advanced ticket purchases, with visitors picking a designated time frame to visit. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. flaquarium.org .

Glazer Children’s Museum: A first of its kind for Tampa, the downtown museum has on display a massive real-life fossil of a triceratops, aptly named Big John , that was discovered in South Dakota in the Hell Creek Geological formation in 2014. It’s the largest known triceratops skeleton in the world and made its journey to the museum for a three-year stay. The museum has also expanded its learning center and added a new sensory room. With the dinosaur’s help, the museum saw a record-breaking 248,000 visitors last year, surpassing all previous attendance figures. 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. glazermuseum.org .

Tampa Bay History Center: Bootleggers, jazz music and worker revolts are the focus of a special exhibit, “Decade of Change: Florida in the 1920s,” which runs through July 14. You can celebrate the Fourth of July at the history center with $5 admission and meet costumed characters from history and military reenactors representing several eras. 801 Old Water St., Tampa. 813-228-0097. tampabayhistorycenter.org .

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Florida’s only spring-fed water park has a live mermaid show that is more than 75 years old. In addition to the clear springs, there is a sandy beach at Buccaneer Bay with flume rides, volleyball, river rides, a kiddie pool area and, of course, the mermaid shows. It’s a bargain with an admission price of $13, $8 for kids 6-12. During the summer months, it typically fills to capacity before noon, so get there early. 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. 352-592-5656. weekiwachee.com .

Sharon Kennedy Wynne is a reporter covering events, things to do and family experiences through the region. Reach her at [email protected].

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