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I was thinking of heading to New Smyrna Beach at the end of December but now I’m considering changing my plans due to all the shark bite stories.

Is there a “shark season”?

Are there beter times to go there than others?

I would have thought that being cold blooded creatures, as the water temperature dropped they would seek warmer conditions.

Is any different on the Gulf side?

good questions, i’ll ask on of our shark experts and get back to you. are you going there to surf? i don’t get what’s with that one beach and the sharks, but I also don’t get what’s with surfers and everyone keep on going there. isn’t florida one huge beach?!

Kem McNair here, The inlet at New Smyrna is probably the most consistent wave on the east coast of the US , a whole lot of people surf in florida. When the waves are small there is always a rideable wave in New Smyrna. So sharks or not, there are surfers in the water. if the water is clear there are usually no bites. it’s when the water is dirty, the sharks mistake feet and hands for fish and take a taste. We must not taste good, because they always let go and swim away, and you go get some stitches. the worst this year was 76 stitches in the calf. and no one left the water except the shark bite victim. I was an eyewitness! new record last week 22 attacks,and counting.
kem

I am interested in Evan’s reply to Malowe’s question. We go to New Smyrna every Feb with our 5 young children. They mostly splash around. What are the risks for them?

The dirty little (non-)secret of shark attack reporting is this:

you are far more likely to be injured in the car on the way to the beach than you are to be attacked by a shark.

should the risk of attack alter your behavior? debatable. avoid murky, rivermouth-type areas, dawn and dusk, recent sightings, etc. – standard precautions.

my point, however, is that there are much more statistically important things to worry about with regards to raising your children…

just don’t tell anyone else.

I just returned from a wonderful week long family vacation in New Smyrna Beach, and was shocked to find all of this shark attack business out now! I was wondering why my wife kept insisting I “swim out a little farther” while carrying that chum bucket.

[...] In case you don’t think that’s a lot of shark attacks, consider that in 2007 there were 74 shark attacks globally! My question is why is anyone out there surfing at all?! The Fear Beneath reports on the last [...]

[...] Noticia 2 [...]

I have been going there and yet to see a shark attack. I have seen a small shark swimming before but it is to my knowledge that no one has ever died on new smyrna beach from a shark attack. I still visit that beach/city every year two or three times and I find it to be very beautiful and relaxing.

[...] in San Diego and in Mexico along with a record setting year of attacks at New Smyrna Beach (more here), Florida marred the year and kept surfers out of the water in these areas. The attacks created [...]

I was raised in New Smyrna Beach Florida. I will have to say that I have a great love for our beach, as does anyone who lives there. To be perfectly honest I have only seen a shark in one twice. I am never scared to go in the water here and dont think I ever will be.

Do not swim between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM

okay i think sharks are cool i have been around sharks befor cool rock on

Hey, i spent my high school years there before joining the Corps. There are alot of sharks, and these small bites that happen all the time, what alot of people dont see i that these sharks are small, and the huge schools of baitfish in the Inlet attract these sharks, while the Inlet’s waves attract many surfers. There are not many places where large amounts of people g into the water, where large amounts of fish gather at the mouth of an intercoastal river, where this meets the ocean, theres gonna be alot of marine life……….don’t have your kids swim 100 yds off shore, don’t let them go past the waves breaking, and you have nothing to worry about

I would not to be a fish….

i was in the once there i have been bit

Hi there,
I’m a 37yo guy from Italy, past years I’ve been in California surfing in some beachess at La Jolla, Ocean Side and Pizmo Beach. I had a lot of fun but this year my friends want to leave the same California to Florida and I agree with them.
I would like to ask you for if in Florida there are totally safe or safer than average beaches to surf, or if you suggest only to catch some tan in Florida. Once in Oceanside beach something touched my leg the water was black I did know for sure there weren’t sharks but you know humankind is half not rational and my mind was thinking for a while about shark… this is not a good thought you know.
I will visit the coast from Daytona Beach to Key West.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
I can’t wait to come back U.S. again. For me, #1.
Greetings from Venice, Italy.
Leo.

[...] Originally Posted by GLS2010 New symrna is great. Plus i like the sound of the crashing waves, its soothing while your laying out on the beach. The problem with New Symrna is the numerous shark attacks. 19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida | surftherenow.com [...]

[...] sites like The Fear Beneath, The Shark Attack Monitor and Sufthenow.com keep track of attacks. Surfthenow even has graphics showing the number of attacks and photos [...]

not knowing it was the shark attack capital of the world my family went to new smyrna beach and we saw a group of AT LEAST FIVE BABY SHARKS! im pretty sure they were spinners…but not positive

I take my kids to New Smyrna alot and i acknowledge the dangers. They jetty or inlet is where the most of the sharks stay so go rt instead of left when you go to get on the beach. We actually saw several dolphins out alot and when they are out sharks normally steer clear. The beach is normally the best around to go to its less crowded, you can drive on it, and its better for families i think. Daytona is way too crowded for us.

[...] Originally Posted by beckycat New Smyrna. I would not recommend it. 19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida | surftherenow.com [...]

[...] Originally Posted by GLS2010 new symrna beach is about the same distance and it’s a very nice beach. way nicer than cocoa Are you sure: 19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida | surftherenow.com [...]

[...] Posted by DailyJournalist Are you sure: 19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida | surftherenow.com 19? Is that all? That is relatively small based on the total number people that visit that [...]

I was attacked there while surfing and I lost half my leg. But I will be back riding the waves as soon as I am physically able!

no fatalities ever at new smyrna due to shark attacks. all the attacks happen at the jetty because the fresh water from the river comes out there. you can move down the beach a little an not have any worries.. i’m there every weekend for the last couple of years, never had problems. never seen problems down the beach.. the jetty’s really crowded anyway. and the surfers at the jetty are territorial.

i have been going to NSB for years for 12+ years and have never even worried about being attacked by a shark i would be more worried and getting pinched by a sand crab or getting sand in my butt crack

We just spent a day at NSB, recommended to us by a Floridian as the nicest beach on the east side of Florida. Our teenage sons were swimming and my husband spotted a large shark, not far from our sons and shouted for them to come in. He told the Beach Patrol who blew us off and said he didn’t want to cause a panic. There were still other people in the water. We told families near us and they got out of the water. This is truly irresponsible and a scene right out of jaws! (not wanting to cause a panic!!)

For all of you those considering coming to New Smyrna Beach or Daytona DO NOT GO I have been a resident in Orlando all my life and all of the shark attacks I hear of occur here. All of the East Coast is shark infested. Go more South . Puerto Rico is great for surfing the North(Isabela) and West(Rincon) coast are good for surfing. There are also nearby reefs.

The reason for all the sharks is the fishing at the inlet and the fact that this area gets more visitors to the beach than any other. The east coast of Florida has always been littered with sharks. With the millions of people that enter these waters you only have less than 1% attack ration.
I myself have been bitten on the heel and bumped several times. This is no cause for me not to go back in the water.
If you are concerned then stay out of the murky water and do not go in the channels along the beach when the water is this way. This is where the feed. Ask any native of NSB and they will tell you the sharks are more afraid of you than you are them.
Never enter the water with a fresh wound or women if you are having your period. You are just bringing them in.

I’ve lived in new smyrna my entire life and literally have only ever seen one shark here. What people fail to leave out is the size of the sharks and severity of the bites.

Yeah, theres alot of shark attacks, but they arent anything like ones in Africa or Australia. Most of the bites here are just weak nibs from small 4-footers.

I surf here practically every day and im not the least bit worried. To me it seems more likely to get skin cancer in NSB than get mauled by a shark.

It’s creepy sometimes just to know their there but im not going to not go in the water just because of some fancy statistics.

The so called attacks here may be frequent but never did they result in fatalties. usually just a few stickes in the local hospital. you are more likely to be ran over on the beach (sad to say) then you are to be fatilay bitten by our sharks. NSB use to be called the safest beach in america (I know!) because of all the life gaurds in our area; due to the frequent shark bites.

Shark Shallows!!!! They live here with us! NSB Rocks!

Had our share of attacks up here in JAX this year…Been documented that a 18ft Great White has visited our inlet here between Fernandina Beach and Cumberland Island many times…Upwell keeps water cool. Stay safe, be observant and Surfit!

I went to new smyrna a few years ago whilst we were on holiday and then when we got back to England on the news we saw that a boy was killed by a shark there and then we looked it up on the internet and saw that it was the shark capital of the world!! we went there the next year again and we still didn’t see one but i do reccommend that if you are bleeding atall because the sharks will smell that from over a mile away, don’t take your dog for a swim and don’t swim between the times of 4:00 and 7:00 pm and also don’t swim at night either!

F U C K T H A T

I have lived in Florida for 18 years and have gone to New Smyrna Beach my whole life. Its a wonderful beach to enjoy and I have never been bitten by a shark, maybe it’s my luck. Think of it this way a shark lives in the ocean and people are infringing on their territory for hunting and living so wouldn’t you nibble at some ankles if you had something in the way of your of food. A shark is unavoidable in the atlantic ocean no matter which beach you choose, they live all over.

people always say the odds are in a 1000, but that promises someone will be bit.
Poeple go based on odds that someone else will loose.

hey dude i go to nsb every year love it there we are relocating there in a few years, we are from maine, truly need some warm weather lol. i just wanted to tell you that i love that pic of the wave jumping shark. i love to it show it to all my family and friends. i absolutely love to tell them we go to the shark bite capitol!! every one asks how i can do it. simple i am petrified of the water haha so yeah doesnt pertain to me about being bitten, unless they come on the sand and get me. i watched jaws way too young. but thank you for capturing that awesome shot!!

if they pulled everyone out of the water everytime theres a shark… no would ever be in the water

I went to New Smyrna for my honeymoon, while there I was told by a local shop owner that a pilot was severally reprimanded for flying a couple over the beach to allow them to take photographs. He was allegedly told by the chamber that if he took anyone else over the area that they’d pull his charter. Seeing sharks in a swimming area is bad for business! In other words, screw the safety of tourists, just keep them and their money coming!!!
Will

I have lived in florida for 17 years and my parents took me to the beach as a child and sharks were never a concern for us. I personally feel very safe just floating in the water but if you dont feel that way use standard precautions: remove jewelry or other shiny objects, sharks get attracted to that. Dont swim at dusk or dawn, thats feeding time. Avoid being super close to sand bars, sharks feed on the little fish there. And dont keep bait in your pocket if your going to fish. The sharks here are small and I wouldnt let them bother me or a paranoia ruin a beach day

Sharks are actually very peaceful creatures. And the only reason the rates of shark bites went up is because the population of this planet has increased. So unfortunately when the population grows so does the attacks.

And actually the shark population has dropped and within 10 years there will be a big drop on the shark population almost slim to none.
So for all you scary bitches who are afraid of the sharks. Come back in 10 years.

Sharks are actually very peaceful creatures. And the only reason the rates of shark bites went up is because the population of this planet has increased. So unfortunately when the population grows so does the attacks.

And actually the shark population has dropped and within 10 years there will be a big drop on the shark population almost slim to none.
So for all you scary bitches who are afraid of the sharks. Come back in 10 years.

I was raised in NSB…while in High School I was a Beach Life Guard. During my time as a Life Guard I would see sharks pretty much every day. You would see them in shallow water…off sand bars. While in training I was almost failed for waiting for a shark to pass while doing a training rescue. After rescueing Andy the other Life Guard that was in training with I was questioned by the trainers and told that they thought I took to long for the rescue…Andy told them how the Shark was circleing him for a few minutes before I came along and how I was treading water waiting for it to pass. Long story short Sharks are in the water don’t be scared…Live with it!!!

That’s crazy! I can’t believe how huge that shark is and how close he is to the male surfer. And check out how many Spinner sharks are in that aerial photograph! Amazing!

Claire, back ‘atcha! I can’t believe the sea I had once swam in is now infested with sharks. I went on my honeymoon to New Smyrna with my amazing husband of 27 years, Ron. That’s crazy–what an amazing photograph Kem McNair snapped! How talented.
-Anne Shaber

Anne, I went on my honeymoon in New Smyrna as well! And yes, it is crazy that so many sharks are found in that area. Still can’t believe it myself. Hope all stay safe and swimmers are cautious of this…would hate to see someone get injured.
-nate

Nate, wow me too!

r ther sharks now

I personaly think that sharks dont mean to attack people. It is a concern for safety but people make their own dicisions. To be honest, sharks are very peaceful animals. Sharks normally attack surfers because from the bottom looking up, surfers look like seals. It is nature and I think that we need to be open to that and not provoke them. Hunting has lead to a large decrease in shark population and soon, they will be extinct. Although this is my oppinion and lots of people think differently, so just take this to mind for those of you who think differently.

Thanks

peaceful creatures? lmao…. Their a PREDATOR who happens to be a stupid fish.

Just put up a shark net….Problem solved.

The reason so many surfers get attacked is because when your on your surfboard with your hands out u look like a sea turtle which is a sharks fav treat

People are so surprised and angry when a shark bites someone. They’re predators…swimming in the ocean is like trekking around the jungle. You wouldn’t find it out of the ordinary if a tiger nabbed someone in the jungle, would you? Well the ocean’s just as wild a place with WILD animals.

That being said, shark attacks are still rare and you should totally enjoy the beaches that Florida’s east coast has to offer. If you’re really that worried, swim in the Gulf instead…very few sharks there…but there are also no waves lol

Mikeb2056: you discredited yourself in 2 ways.  1) You used “their” incorrectly.  You should use “they’re”, as it takes the place of they are.  I can’t trust someone that doesn’t understand simple contractions.  2) You clearly know nothing about sharks.  You are correct about one thing- they are predators; however, they are perhaps the most advanced predator on the planet and are pretty amazing animals.  ”Stupid fish” doesn’t do them justice.  I will be kind and stop there before damaging your psyche further.  

I have lived in New Smyrna Beach for most of my life.  Shark bites are just one of the risks of swimming or surfing on that beach.  Honestly the locals are proud of the title.  Shark bites are bragging rites to a lot of the die hard surfers here.  Besides people have more of a chance of getting in a car accident on the way to the beach than to actually be bitten by a shark.

I’m with Mikeb. Fuck your technical talk. sharks r stupid fucking morons!

“Tom Jones”- You have 2 hands.  One of them is pointing at the shark calling it a moron, but you are actually the moron.  The other hand seems to be stuck in Mikeb’s ass.  I’d encourage you to take your free hand to get the other hand out of his ass.  Once you get over your anal fixation, quit your job flipping burgers and actually learn something useful.    

Sharks are a part of the ocean, period.  It’s where they live. You enter their world at your own risk.  New Smyrna Beach is paradise. I was born in Florida, spent my summers on the beach in the water, and have never been bitten by a shark.  People too afraid to visit by what they have heard, thats okay, it’s just more beach for the rest of us. 

I heard you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than getting bit by a shark, and i to have lived in new smyrna for a long time but never seen a shark im a little scared to go in the water but not always just depends if fish are jumping or not.

You 3 are silly.
Men = Stupid!
Come back in 10 years when your testosterone bouts are over!

They actually are highly intelligent creatures…just thought you should know. It depends how you define ‘peaceful’ but they can     be calm. .

The women on their period is a myth, it’s ok to go in the water!

Does anybody know what time of year is best to see sharks at NSB? I want to go dive and photograph sharks… 

I won’t check this often so email me.. nlarghi@gmail.com

I’m just gonna add a bit of information here Mikeb. Sharks are really intelligent. You may not want to believe it but they really are. They are really advanced and they’ve been around for millions of years. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? They have been constantly evolving and even though they may be a predator they are highly intelligent creatures. They have censors that can pick up electrical signals of other fishes nearby EVEN if they’re not moving. Some of them also have an extremely acute sense of hearing. They’re pretty docile creatures, its just that they have extremely high levels of testosterone (they have 900 grams while the average human man has about 11 to 12) which causes the aggressiveness. 

Just informing you

Sharks are just stupid creatues who feed on seals, and humans. I never really liked the beach, and now I hate it, I live near New Smyrna and thats the shark capitol of the WORLD!!!

I’ve seen a shark in person. Not much fun. It was about a 6 footer, New Smyrna beach has a lot more than just 3 foot sharks, be carefull. BTW, I hate the beach and sharks!!!!

Sharks are really smart. You sound more like a stupid predator than a shark.

there are a lot of sharks in the gulf primarily the bull shark…its where they breed….that is much scarier than a spinner if you ask me

I don’t deny what you said about the shark, but be careful with your logic. Just because an animal has been around or has evolved over millions of years doesn’t mean it’s “smart”…lots of stupid animals (including some really dumb humans I know) have been evolving for a long time. What you were referring to there was instinct more than it was intelligence.

shut up, they will eat your leg, your children, they have no mercy, the kill
kill them or be killed, you choose your way moron

I have lived in New Smyrna and from what I’ve experienced most of the sharks are smaller and young and won’t do much damage. Just because they’re there doesn’t mean they’re going to do anything. Although it is a little freaky to see dark figures when you’re riding a wave. (It’s a dolphin, right??)

your allbiitches

They should let the jersey shore film here for the next season.  even sharks like meatballs

ya but they should still have more then one life guard on the beach or make a safe place so if kids wont to swim then the parents wouldnt worrie about the sharks and relax as you should on a beach.

you have no idea what your are talking about, as long as you not dumb and dont go out at there feeding time you are fine. iv surfed and seen sharks and they haven’t done anything

Oh Dear God!! I’m going to florida for holidays and will be visiting NSB. Scary stuff! I’m from Ireland and all we ever see is seaweed…:/