Historical Shark Attacks In Wake Island, Usa

Wake Island is a small tropical atoll in the western Pacific Ocean.

Its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters are home to many marine animals, including sharks like blacktop and white tip sharks.

These sharks are usually shy and do not harm humans.

Visitors can swim, snorkel, and dive in the beautiful waters to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

Wake Island offers a peaceful and unique beach experience with its stunning nature and diverse marine life.

beach photo

Understanding our data at Wake Island

In our comprehensive overview of wake island, 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

AreaWake Island
LocationWilkes Islet Lagoon (Pacific Ocean North Of The Marshall Islands)
Date1954-11-20
Year1954
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySpearfishing
NameJames L. Oetzel
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryShoulder Bitten
FatalN
Time15H00
SpeciesBlacktip Reef Shark, 1.5 M [5']

Recorded Attack #2

AreaWake Island
LocationLeeward Side Of Island, Directly In Back Of Mid-Pac Barrel Storage Area
Date1961-03-09
Year1961
TypeUnprovoked
CountryNorth Pacific Ocean
ActivityFree Diving
NameJames K. Stewart
SexM
Age33.0
InjuryRight Elbow Bitten
FatalN
Time15H30
SpeciesGrey Reef Shark, 1.8 M [6'] Grey Reef Shark, Identified By Dr. L.P. L. Schultz Based On Photographs; Identified As C. Melanopterus By Stewart
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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

Historical Shark Attacks In Maputo Province, Mozambique
Historical Shark Attacks In Misamis Oriental, Philippines
Historical Shark Attacks In Sonora, Mexico
Historical Shark Attacks In Calabria, Italy
Historical Shark Attacks In Baie De Sainte-Marie, New Caledonia