Florida Tops U.S. in Shark Bites - Traveler Tips

Florida leads the U.S. in unprovoked shark bites, recording 11 incidents in 2025, down from its five-year average of 18. Volusia County accounts for more than half of these bites, earning its nickname as the shark-bite capital of the world, though numbers there also decline. The state tops the list due to its dense population of beachgoers, surfers, and warm waters that attract both people and sharks, not an increase in shark numbers.