Top Ten Shark Infested Beaches

When it comes to swimming in the ocean, the greatest fear people face is that of a shark attack. And it's no wonder, as many species of shark which have been known to attack are larger than us, have rows of razor-sharp teeth, and seem to care for nothing but killing to eat. Maybe it's the fact that, when swimming in the ocean, you wouldn't necessarily see one approaching until it was too late. You are, after all, in their world the moment you step into the water. According to Elasmo Research, an individual is more likely to die by bee stings, lightning, automobile accidents and being mauled by a dog or (my favorite) farmyard pigs. Most attacks are actually due to mistaken identity, with the shark assuming you or your limbs are fish or other marine animals (National Wildlife Federation). Unfortunately, when they attack humans, intentional or not, the damage is great. Below are the top ten shark infested beaches in 2007, with the highest number of shark attacks in the world.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

This beautiful beach is also the "shark attack capital of the world" (News.com.au). There are reasons that this beach is host to the greatest number of shark attacks each year. First, it is surrounded on all sides by bodies of water (the Atlantic Ocean, Indiana River, Intercoastal Waterway and Mosquito Lagoon) making it an ideal hangout for all types of marine life. Secondly, it is one of the beautiful vacation destinations for which Florida is known, hosting a high number of visitors who swim, dive and surf in the water. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 17 shark bite incidents in Volusia County in 2007.

Gansbaai in South Africa

According to Gansbaai's website, the islands around this little fishing village have become breeding grounds for penguins and seals - and feeding grounds for the Great White Shark. Due to the high density of Great White Sharks found there, Gansbaii claims to be the greatest place in the world to observe and cage-dive with these dangerous animals - but you'd have to be crazy to enter the water any other way. This is definitely one of the most shark infested beaches around.

Bolinas Beach in California

Located in northern California, this beautiful and popular beach makes the list due to its high populations of both people and Great White Sharks. The Bolinas Beach makes up the center of the "Red Triangle" - an area famous for Great White Shark encounters and sightings, according to Global Surfers. Many people still choose to swim at this great destination, but keep this in mind - if you don't see any fish or other marine wildlife around, they may know something you don't.

Brisbane in Australia

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack Files (ISAF), this area is heavily populated by sharks and host to a higher number of attacks than some other beaches. Great white sharks, or "Pointers", as they're known in Australia, are the greatest risk when it comes to an attack. When at this beach, pay attention to any warning signs which may have been posted due to recent sightings.

Maui in Hawaii

This little island hosts the highest number of shark attacks in Hawaii, according to the ISAF. Surrounded by beautiful ocean, the popularity of surfing and other water sports off of Maui is part of the reason shark attacks are more likely to occur here. Only one in twelve attacks here is fatal, though, with the last fatality occurring in 2004.

Recife inBrazil

Brazil has the highest concentration of shark attacks in all of South America, and Recife is one of the key places in which beach towns at which these attacks occur (ISAF). According to an article by the BBC, there have been 47 shark attacks there since 1992 - with 16 of them being fatal. Technically, there are more shark attacks in Florida and Brazil. But, when it comes to the sharks of Recife, one in three attacks are fatal. Many scientists believe that the increase in aggressive attacks is due largely to human destruction of their natural environment, as the attacks were nearly non-existent fifty years ago. However, until a solution is found to the Recife shark problem, you might want to consider one of South America's other beautiful beaches instead.

North Shore, Oahu in Hawaii

Oahu hosts the second highest number of shark attacks in Hawaii, with a greater fatality rate than that of Maui. Tiger sharks are considered the greatest danger here. There are several places where tourists can go to see sharks in their natural environment, such as Sharks Cove, a reef off of the North Shore where white-tipped reef sharks are plentiful and scuba diving is allowed.

West End, Grand Bahamas Island in the Bahamas

Although the number of actual unprovoked attacks is minimal, the West End offers a large concentration of tiger sharks. Like many of the beaches listed here, several tourism companies offer cage diving with tiger sharks as a popular attraction. When in the water, surfers and divers must be aware of their surroundings. In 2006, a diver shot and killed a 10-foot-long tiger shark he claimed was "stalking" him.

Kosi Bay in South Africa

This series of four lakes which connect to the Indian Ocean has a greater number of shark attacks and fatalities than the rest of Africa combined (ISFA). According to Forbes Traveler, this is due primarily to the type of shark involved - the famously aggressive Zambezi or Bull shark. Frighteningly enough, bull sharks are known for swimming upstream into lakes and rivers to hunt for food, making no body of water safe.

Umhlanga Rocks, Kwazulu Natal in South Africa

According to Forbes Traveler, swimming at Umhlanga Rocks is now much safer than it used to be. This beach was one of the first to dramatically reduce the high number of shark attacks using protective netting. But protective netting is all it's cracked up to be. While the netting succeeds in keeping out such dangerous animals as tigers, great white and bull sharks, they also kill many gentle and harmless creatures, including dolphins. The authorities are apparently rethinking the use of nets, which may have a significant impact on the safety of Umhlanga Rocks for humans in the future.