TL:DR – “Where You’re Most Likely to Encounter Shark Bites on Holiday: A Detailed Map”
- Global shark attacks rose to 105 in 2025, up from 88 in 2024, according to the International Shark Attack File.
- Australia saw the largest increase, with 21 attacks and five fatalities, primarily involving “big three” species.
- Fatalities in the US included a California triathlete; Florida had the highest attacks at 11.
- Most bites occurred during swimming (46%); unprovoked incidents accounted for 65 attacks.
- British tourists faced shark-related injuries in popular holiday spots, highlighting the rising risk of shark attacks during vacations.
Map shows where you’re most likely to be bitten by a shark on holiday | News World
There were shark attacks at some British holiday hotspots (Picture: Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
The number of shark attacks across the globe soared last year, a new report shows.
Beachgoers and tourists were mauled 105 times in 2025, up from 88 the year before, according to the International Shark Attack File.
The data – from the Florida Museum of Natural History – reveals the hotspots where the apex predators are most likely to strike, which includes some British holiday favourites like Fuerteventura.
The report warned that shark attacks shot up in Australia, where there were also five fatal bites in their waters.
Overall, the number of deadly shark assaults more than doubled from four in 2024 to nine in 2025.
Among them was a 55-year-old triathlete who was attacked by a white shark while open swimming in California, United States, in December.
That was the only fatality in the US despite the North American country being home to the most recorded shark bite cases, at 25.
Florida was home to the most attacks last year, at 11, after a spate of maulings on the east coast in June.
One 9-year-old girl in Boca Grande, Florida, was snorkeling when she was bitten by a shark, severing her hand.
Australia saw a huge jump in shark bites, from 13 to 25, and was home to the majority of shark-related deaths.
A reason for this is because the country’s coasts are home to the so-called ‘big three’ species responsible for most serious bites: the white shark, tiger shark, and bull shark.
One bull shark attacked a Swiss couple in their 20s in November while they were swimming and filming dolphins in New South Wales.
The man survived after being flown to a local hospital, but the woman died before paramedics could reach the scene.
Swimming and surfing were the most high-risk activities (Picture: Getty Images)
Which activities are most associated with shark bites?
Swimming/wading – 46%
Surfing/board sports – 32%
Snorkeling/freediving – 15%
Other – 6%
The new year already witnessed a 12-year-old boy die after a shark mauled his legs in Sydney Harbour.
Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, said: ‘If these bites occurred anywhere other than Australia, they would probably have resulted in even more fatalities.
‘Their beach safety is second to none. Within minutes of a bite, they’ve got helicopters airborne ready to respond.’
Provoked shark attacks – what are they?
The majority – 65 – of last year’s shark attacks were defined as ‘unprovoked’.
Most of the rest were provoked attacks, when the victim interacted with the shark, such as trying to touch or feed them.
One of these involved a 40-year-old man snorkeling off the coast of Tel Aviv in April, carrying a GoPro to film the apex predators.
A dusky shark likely bit the snorkeller as it investigated the camera, which let blood into the water and triggered a ‘feeding frenzy’.
Despite the fact dusky sharks are not known to bite humans, 2025 also saw the first confirmed fatality from the species.
A free diver looking for crayfish in South Africa died after being bitten in South Africa.
Where were there shark attacks in 2025?
Shark attacks have shot up in Australia, where five people died (Picture: EPA)
USA – 25 (one fatal)
Australia – 21 (five fatal)
Bahamas – 5
New Zealand – 3
New Caledonia – 1
Canary Islands (Spain) – 1
Vanuatu – 1 (fatal)
Samoa – 1
South Africa – 1 (fatal)
Maldives – 1
Puerto Rico (U.S.) – 1
Canada – 1
Marshall Islands – 1
Mozambique – 1 (fatal)
Jamaica – 1
British tourists are also among the victims of the rise in shark maulings.
A British surfer was riding his hydrofoil surfboard off the coast of the Canary Islands when a shark bit his leg.
With a deep wound in his thigh, the man managed to get back to shore and receive medical attention.
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File was established in 1958 and includes records dating back to the 1500s.
Despite the rise in cases last year, the number of unprovoked attacks were slightly less than the 10-year average of 72.
The number of fatalities – nine – was above the 10-year average of six.
The report adds: ‘The total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low.’