Chances of being
Attacked by a shark

Just how likely are you to get attacked by a shark around the globe? Choose a country map below to reveal what your odds are of being a shark's breakfast - and where you need to avoid this summer.

Plus, check out some real-life Jaws moments from history, discover which species are most likely to feast upon your torso and how the odds of dying from a shark attack compare to everyday situations. You may be surprised…

Top 3 Places You're Likely To Get Attacked
  1. Eastern Cape Odds: +5163100
    Total Shark Attacks: 130
  2. Western Cape Odds: +5751300
    Total Shark Attacks: 119
  3. KwaZulu-Natal Odds: +7894400
    Total Shark Attacks: 143
Did you know?

The largest great white shark ever was caught off Danger Point, Gansbaai, and measured a whopping 5.9m in length.

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Top 3 Places You're Likely To Get Attacked
  1. North Island Odds: +9410300
    Total Shark Attacks: 39
  2. Cook Islands Odds: +600000
    Total Shark Attacks: 3
  3. South Island Odds: +3579300
    Total Shark Attacks: 29
Did you know?

73 people died from taking a selfie in 2016, compared with 4 people who were killed by sharks.

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Did you know?

73 people died from taking a selfie in 2016, compared with 4 people who were killed by sharks.

Click on the map to
Choose a state
Did you know?

73 people died from taking a selfie in 2016, compared with 4 people who were killed by sharks.

Click on the map to
Choose a state
AM AC RO MT MS RS SC PR SP MG RJ ES GO TO PA AP MA CE RN PB AL SE PE PL BA RR
Did you know?

73 people died from taking a selfie in 2016, compared with 4 people who were killed by sharks.

Click on the map to
Choose a state
NT SA WA QLD NSW TAS VIC ACT
Choose country map
  • South Africa
  • New Zealand
  • USA
  • Brazil
  • Australia

A History of Shark Attacks

These shark attacks from the past 100 years are sure to get your palms sweating - it’s no wonder so many of us fear the underwater predators. choose a date scroll to date
1916
1945
1964
1980
2015
2018
1916

Deadly Heat Wave

Just over 100 years ago, four people were killed in the space of two weeks by sharks along the Jersey Shore. Tragically, one guy bled to death after the skin was stripped from his thighs, another lost both legs, then two young boys were eaten alive in a creek. It was around this time that Americans began to fear this predator.

1945

Shark-Infested Waters

When American warship, the USS Indianopolis, was split in two by Japanese torpedoes in July 1945, more than 900 men were stranded in the Pacific Ocean - surrounded by hundreds of sharks. When the rescuers arrived four days later they found 579 men dead, many of whom had been chewed to bits.

1964

Caught On Camera

One of the first shark attacks was captured by filmmaker Henri Bource, who was bitten by a great white just off Lady Julia Percy Island. His leg was ripped off and floated in the water - but he asked his diving partners to keep filming. A few years later he released a documentary called Savage Shadows that included footage from his attack.

1980

Surf's Up

While surfing, bodyboarding or using another flotation device (yes, this includes inflatable unicorns) you're most likely to have your legs chomped by a shark, which shouldn't be surprising. In this decade, 126 surfers died as a result of a shark attack. Compare this to the number of people who died from natural causes, car accidents or falling from heights and you'll see the odds of being killed by a shark are pretty slim.

2015

Double Trouble

Aussie surfer, Mick Fanning, made history when he was the first person to be attacked by two sharks in a major surfing competition in South Africa. The three-time world champion's narrow escape was captured on live television before the jet skis rushed to save him. He got off unscathed with only a dented surfboard and chewed leg rope.

2018

Until Next Year

The World Surf League was forced to cancel the remainder of its 2018 surfing competition in April after two separate shark attacks occurred. The increase in beached whales in Main Break, Western Australia, had attracted more sharks. They were mistaking entrants for midday snacks and so it was deemed too dangerous to carry on with the competition.

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What’s Eating you For Lunch?

Out of the 460 species of shark, only 30 have been reported to attack humans, so you're generally going to be pretty safe. If you spot one of these, though, it's time to scarper. Flick through the list to discover some of the sharks most likely to attack.

choose a shark
Scroll to choose shark
tiger-shark
blacktip-shark
hammerhead-shark
white-shark
bull-shark

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier
  • Non Fatal Unprovoked
    80
  • Fatal Unprovoked
    31
  • Total Attacks
    111

Blacktip Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier
  • Non Fatal Unprovoked
    28
  • Fatal Unprovoked
    1
  • Total Attacks
    29

Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna spp.
  • Non Fatal Unprovoked
    17
  • Fatal Unprovoked
    0
  • Total Attacks
    17

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias
  • Non Fatal Unprovoked
    234
  • Fatal Unprovoked
    80
  • Total Attacks
    314

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas
  • Non Fatal Unprovoked
    73
  • Fatal Unprovoked
    27
  • Total Attacks
    100

Where do peopleGet Bitten?

The type of activity you're doing affects where you're likely to get bitten. 42% of attacks are on legs, although only 7% of recorded attacks have resulted in actual limb loss.

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    Swimming
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    Surfing
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    Diving

Your Odds Of Dying From Everyday Situations

The chances of you getting attacked by a shark are actually a lot slimmer than you might think. You're more likely to die in hospital than from a shark mistaking your leg for a turtle, as well as:

  • Heart Disease
    +500
  • Hospital Infections
    +3800
  • Car Accident
    +8400
  • Accidental Poisoning
    +19300
  • Air/space Accidents
    +505100
  • Excessive Cold
    +604500
  • Shark Attack
    +374806700
Probability Causes of death

Shark Facts

  • Humans are the biggest threat to sharks, killing around 100 million of them each year. In 2017, only 5 people were reported as killed by sharks.

  • A number of species have to keep moving constantly in order to survive. They can enjoy a rest on the sea floor but have to keep pumping water over their gills to keep breathing, which sounds pretty tiring.

  • Ever wondered why they're called the "silent killers"? It's because they don't have any vocal cords so they can't make any sounds. They use body language, like head shaking or head butts, to communicate instead.

  • Sharks can hear prey as far as 3,000 feet away - and that's with ears that are inside their heads.

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Related Article Read now >

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