Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands are known for their picturesque beaches, lush mountains, and vibrant coral reefs.
The warm and welcoming locals, along with the rich Polynesian culture, add to the charm of this remote destination.
The marine ecosystem here is diverse, home to colorful fish, sea turtles, and some shark species like gray reef sharks and blacktop reef sharks.
While these sharks are usually not a threat to humans, it's important for visitors to be cautious while swimming and snorkeling.
By following safety guidelines like avoiding dawn and dusk swims and refraining from wearing shiny accessories in the water, interactions with these creatures can be minimized.
In summary, the Cook Islands offer a unique mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and exciting marine life experiences, making it an appealing destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Understanding our data at Cook Islands
In our comprehensive overview of cook 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.
Recorded Attack #1
Area
Cook Islands
Location
Rarotonga
Date
1926-01-01
Year
1926
Type
Provoked
Country
New Zealand
Activity
Shark Hoisted On Board Liner Tahiti
Name
Bosun Of The Ship
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Struck On Head By Shark’S Tail, Knocked Unconscious & Deep Gash In Head Provoked Incident
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #2
Area
Cook Islands
Location
Pukapuka Northern Group
Date
2003-12-13
Year
2003
Type
Unprovoked
Country
New Zealand
Activity
Swimming / Shipwreck
Name
Teta Vaotiare
Sex
M
Age
45.0
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
Night
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #3
Area
Cook Islands
Location
Arorangi, Rarotonga
Date
2000-12-01
Year
2000
Type
Unprovoked
Country
New Zealand
Activity
Surfing
Name
Female
Sex
F
Age
N/A
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #4
Area
Cook Islands
Location
Penhryn Island
Date
2007-03-05
Year
2007
Type
Provoked
Country
New Zealand
Activity
Spearfishing
Name
Turua William Maretapu
Sex
M
Age
16
Injury
Leg Bitten By Shark After He Shot At It & Missed Provoked Incident
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Tiger Shark
Recorded Attack #5
Area
Cook Islands
Location
Beveridge Reef
Date
2003-07-01
Year
2003
Type
Unprovoked
Country
New Zealand
Activity
Snorkeling
Name
Allen --
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Chest & Buttocks Bitten
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Grey Reef Shark
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