Historical Shark Attacks In Abaco Islands, Bahamas

The Abaco Islands in the Bahamas are a chain of islands known for their white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and diverse marine life.

This tropical area is loved by beach goers, nature lovers, and water sports fans.

The Abaco Islands are home to various shark species, crucial for the marine ecosystem.

Shark sightings are common here, though encounters with people are rare and attacks are very uncommon.

Visitors to the Abaco Islands can enjoy watching these graceful creatures swim gracefully in the ocean.

Shark diving is a popular activity here for those seeking an exciting experience.

Observing sharks in their natural habitat can be an amazing and educational experience for visitors to this tropical location.

beach photo

Understanding our data at Abaco Islands

In our comprehensive overview of abaco islands, the data presented in this article is compiled from a variety of public sources, providing a consolidated view of shark encounters by beach.

As you explore the data, it is important to note that while we have organized the information by specific areas, neighboring areas may also have their own detailed posts.

We encourage you to utilize the search function on our website to discover unique posts that may pertain to nearby locations.

Given the unpredictable and often chaotic circumstances surrounding shark attacks, some of the details within our tables have been inferred post-incident.

This is a common practice in the documentation of such events, due to factors like the rapid response required at the scene and the retrospective nature of assembling such data.

Our aim is to offer a resource that not only informs but also enhances awareness and safety practices for all who venture into the marine environment.

As you navigate through the information, we hope it serves as a reminder of the respect and caution that our florida beaches command.

beach photo

Recorded Attack #1

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationOff Sandy Point, Great Abaco Island
Date1983-06-22
Year1983
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameCarl James Harth
SexM
Age15
InjuryFatal
FatalY
Time16H00
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #2

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationNorth Of Walkers Cay
Date1958-07-01
Year1958
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing, Had Fish On His Spear
NameStanton Waterman
SexM
Age36.0
InjuryNo Injury, Shark Went For Diver's Leg & Missed, Diver Hit Shark On Head With Speargun & Shark Bit Speargun
FatalN
Time12H00
SpeciesTiger Shark, <2 M Tl
beach photo

Recorded Attack #3

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGrand Cay
Date1999-08-05
Year1999
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing & Holding Catch
NameKevin King
SexM
Age35
InjuryRight Arm Bitten
FatalN
Time17H00
Species2.7 M [9'] Bull Shark Or Caribbean Reef Shark

Recorded Attack #4

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationSpanish Cay
Date2009-07-31
Year2009
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameDerek Mitchell
SexM
Age14
InjuryLacerations To Calf
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesBull Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #5

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationElbow Cay
Date2010-10-02
Year2010
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySurfing
NameJane Engle
SexF
AgeN/A
InjuryBitten Between Left Ankle & Knee
FatalN
Time15H00
SpeciesPossibly A 6' Lemon Shark

Recorded Attack #6

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationNorth Of Grand Cay
Date2001-08-31
Year2001
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameNick Raich
SexM
Age44.0
InjuryTorso Lacerated
FatalN
Time13H30
Species3 M [10'] Bull Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #7

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationWalkers Cay
Date1997-05-17
Year1997
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameRobert Gunn
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryLeg Bitten
FatalN
TimeMorning
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #8

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationCarter's Cay
Date2018-08-20
Year2018
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameWill Krause
SexM
Age29.0
InjuryLacerations To Head And Neck
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesReef Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #9

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationTahiti Beach, Elbow Cay
Date2015-01-06
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySnorkeling
NameLacy Webb
SexF
Age34
InjurySevere Bite To Right Flank
FatalN
Time16H00
SpeciesWhite Shark Or Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Recorded Attack #10

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationCoco Bay, Green Turtle Cay
Date2018-08-15
Year2018
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivityStanding
NameKate Inskip
SexF
Age56.0
InjuryInjury To Lower Left Leg
FatalN
Time08H30
SpeciesNurse Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #11

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationWalkers Cay
Date2002-04-09
Year2002
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivityStanding
NameErich Ritter
SexM
Age43.0
InjuryCalf Bitten
FatalN
Time10H45
SpeciesBull Shark, 400-Lb

Recorded Attack #12

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationNoname Cay
Date2020-05-31
Year2020
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameMale
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryLacerations To Left Hand
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesBull Shark, 8'
beach photo

Recorded Attack #13

AreaAbaco Islands
Location10 Miles West Of Walker’S Cay
Date2003-07-04
Year2003
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameBenjamin Brown
SexM
Age39.0
InjuryLeft Calf Bitten
FatalN
Time14H45
Species2.1 M [7'] Bull Shark

Recorded Attack #14

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationDouble Breasted Cays
Date1992-08-29
Year1992
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySnorkeling, Carrying A Speared Fish In Her Hand
NameValerie Fortunato
SexF
Age34
InjuryLeft Hand Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species1.8 M [6'] Blacktip Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #15

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGreen Turtle Cay
Date2016-07-23
Year2016
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameSteve Cutbirth
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryLacerations To Face And Right Leg
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesBull Shark, 6'

Recorded Attack #16

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationN/A
Date2008-06-28
Year2008
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameMax Briggs
SexM
Age42
InjuryLacerations To Calf
FatalN
Time11H00
SpeciesBull Shark, 6' To 7'
beach photo

Recorded Attack #17

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationAllan-Pensacola Cay
Date2007-07-10
Year2007
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameJoanie Regan
SexF
Age48
InjuryLacerations To Thumb, Ring And Pinky Fingers Of Right Hand
FatalN
Time11H00
SpeciesBull Shark, 5'

Recorded Attack #18

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationBakers Bay
Date2003-07-10
Year2003
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameRichard Horton
SexM
Age58.0
InjuryRight Thigh Bitten
FatalN
Time14H30
SpeciesUnidentified Species
beach photo

Recorded Attack #19

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationTreasure Cay
Date2018-09-23
Year2018
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameMaggie Ewing
SexF
Age32.0
InjuryLacerations To Fingers
FatalN
Time13H42
SpeciesBlacktip Shark

Recorded Attack #20

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationScotland Cay
Date2013-07-28
Year2013
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameErik Norrie
SexM
Age40
InjuryLeg Bitten
FatalN
Time16H05
Species6' Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #21

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGreat Guana Cay
Date2019-07-04
Year2019
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySnorkeling
NameMale
SexM
Age32.0
InjuryUnknown
FatalN
Time17H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #22

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationN/A
Date2019-06-21
Year2019
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameJonathan Hernandez
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryLacerations To Left Calf
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #23

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGrand Cay
Date2013-07-28
Year2013
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivityDiving
NameMale
SexM
Age50
InjuryBitten On Rear Lower Extremities
FatalN
Time11H15
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #24

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGrand Cay
Date2005-10-03
Year2005
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivityDiving
NameNixon Pierre
SexM
Age35
InjuryLacerations To Right Side Of Face
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #25

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationN/A
Date1872-10-10
Year1872
TypeSea Disaster
CountryBahamas
ActivityBurning Of The S.S. Missouri
NameMales
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryFatal
FatalY
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #26

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationN/A
Date2014-06-25
Year2014
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameMark Adams
SexM
Age42
InjuryNo Injury But Shark Took His Pole Spear
FatalN
Time13H00
SpeciesCaribbean Reef Shark, 7' To 8'
beach photo

Recorded Attack #27

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGreen Turtle Cay
Date2004-05-18
Year2004
TypeProvoked
CountryBahamas
ActivityFree Diving & Spearfishing
NameWolfgang Leander
SexM
Age63.0
InjuryLeft Forearm Bitten Provoked Incident
FatalN
Time15H00
Species1,5 M [5'] Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus Perezi)

Recorded Attack #28

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationPowell Cay
Date1997-05-26
Year1997
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameWilber Wood
SexM
Age54.0
InjuryRight Arm Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesPossibly A Caribbean Reef Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #29

AreaAbaco Islands
LocationGreen Turtle Cay
Date1983-07-08
Year1983
TypeUnprovoked
CountryBahamas
ActivitySpearfishing
NameEric Gijsendorfer
SexM
Age13
InjuryLacerations To Left Calf
FatalN
Time12H00
SpeciesN/A

Check Out Some Of Our Other Shark Attack Posts

Here we have 5 posts going over some other nearby beaches where shark attacks have happened

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Historical Shark Attacks In Alifu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Historical Shark Attacks In Los Vilos, Chile
Historical Shark Attacks In Alagoas, Brazil
Historical Shark Attacks In Sainte-Marie, Reunion