Historical Shark Attacks In Cocoa Beach

Located on the Florida coast, Cocoa Beach is known for its sandy shores, surfing spots, and lively vibe.

Stretching along the Atlantic Ocean, this beach offers a mix of relaxation and water sports, making it popular with locals and tourists.

Shark sightings in the area are a unique feature of Cocoa Beach.

While rare, the presence of sharks is a reminder of the diverse sea life.

Visitors are reminded to be cautious and avoid swimming when sharks are more active at dawn and dusk.

Despite shark sightings, Cocoa Beach is a top destination for beach lovers.

With its beach town feel, bustling pier with shops and restaurants, and variety of water activities, Cocoa Beach offers an exciting coastal experience for all.

beach photo

Understanding our data at Cocoa Beach

In our comprehensive overview of cocoa beach, 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 beaches, neighboring beaches 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

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2004-07-31
Year2004
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameKelly Getzfread
SexF
Age20.0
InjuryRight Foot Bitten
FatalN
Time13H00
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #2

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1981-10-16
Year1981
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameRobert Keifling
SexM
Age17
InjuryPuncture Wounds To Left Foot
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #3

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2022-02-11
Year2022
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameGene Menchara-Lopez
SexM
Age18.0
InjuryPuncture Wounds To Foot
FatalN
Time17H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #4

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2020-04-07
Year2020
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameStacy Orosz-Davis
SexF
AgeN/A
InjuryFoot Bitten
FatalN
Time10H00
SpeciesBull Shark, 6'
beach photo

Recorded Attack #5

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2019-11-12
Year2019
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameMiller
SexM
Age30.0
InjuryLacerations To Left Foot
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species4' To 5' Blacktip Shark

Recorded Attack #6

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1970-09-05
Year1970
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityFloating On A Raft
NameReggie Hodgson
SexM
Age18
InjuryLaceration To Left Foot
FatalN
Time11H30
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #7

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2021-01-03
Year2021
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameTucker Shrogren
SexM
Age19.0
InjuryNo Injury, Board Damaged
FatalN
Time10H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #8

AreaFlorida
LocationLori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2014-08-09
Year2014
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameKrama Fordham
SexF
Age10
InjuryPuncture Wounds To Right Foot & Ankle
FatalN
Time13H30
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #9

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2008-06-07
Year2008
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityBody Surfing
NameJohn Vasbinder
SexM
Age40
InjuryLacerations & Abrasions To Right Hand
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #10

AreaFlorida
LocationShepard Park, Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2003-04-21
Year2003
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameMale
SexM
Age17.0
InjurySurvived
FatalN
Time13H30
SpeciesUnidentified Species
beach photo

Recorded Attack #11

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1981-09-03
Year1981
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameDouglas Christie
SexM
Age24
InjuryLaceration To Foot
FatalN
TimeMorning
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #12

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1978-01-01
Year1978
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameSharon Wolfe Cranston
SexF
AgeN/A
InjuryFoot Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #13

AreaFlorida
LocationLori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2009-11-24
Year2009
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityWading
NameGarrett Gollihugh
SexM
Age10
InjuryLeft Foot Bitten
FatalN
TimeMorning
Species6' Shark

Recorded Attack #14

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2003-06-24
Year2003
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityStanding
NameHannah Hathaway
SexF
Age12.0
Injury2 Lacerations To The Thigh
FatalN
TimeAfternoon
Species“Small Brown Shark”
beach photo

Recorded Attack #15

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2020-07-19
Year2020
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityWading
NameKylee Orona
SexF
Age12.0
InjuryRight Leg Bitten
FatalN
TimeAfternoon
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #16

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2014-04-22
Year2014
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameMale
SexM
Age42
InjuryLaceration & Puncture Wounds To Right Foot
FatalN
Time15H30
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #17

AreaFlorida
LocationNear Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2008-03-28
Year2008
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityBoogie Boarding
NameTeresa Holloway
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryRight Foot Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesA Small Shark

Recorded Attack #18

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2003-04-15
Year2003
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming (Using A Float)
NameMale, A Tourist From Venezuela
SexM
Age20.0
InjuryLeft Calf Lacerated
FatalN
Time13H00
Species15 Cm To 20 Cm [6 To 8] Bite Diameter Just Below Left Knee
beach photo

Recorded Attack #19

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2013-12-10
Year2013
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameBobby Baughman
SexM
Age30
InjuryRight Foot Bitten
FatalN
Time14H30
Species4' To 6' Shark

Recorded Attack #20

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1996-10-03
Year1996
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameAric Hollingsworth
SexM
Age21.0
Injury4 Laceration On Left Forearm
FatalN
Time08H30
Species1.2 M [4'] Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #21

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2021-01-02
Year2021
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameKeller Shrogren
SexM
Age17.0
Injury1.5 Cut To Ankle
FatalN
Time10H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #22

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2023-06-23
Year2023
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameMagnolia Woodhead
SexF
Age!2
InjuryMultiple Puncture Wounds To Right Thigh
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #23

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1981-09-28
Year1981
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameStan Wing
SexM
Age28
Injury5 Puncture Marks To Hip
FatalN
Time18H00
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #24

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2015-05-24
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameAlysa Whetro
SexF
Age13
InjuryPuncture Wounds To Lower Left Leg And Ankle, Shallow Lacerations To Foot, Deep Laceration To Achilles Tendon
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #25

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1972-06-10
Year1972
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameRichard Salick
SexM
Age22
InjuryButtocks Bitten
FatalN
Time11H30
Species4.5' Shark

Recorded Attack #26

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date202-07-10
Year2020
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameJaedyn Wagner
SexF
Age15.0
InjuryMinor Injury To Right Foot
FatalN
Time08H00
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #27

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2018-05-26
Year2018
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityWalking
NameCody High
SexM
Age15.0
InjuryLower Left Leg Bitten
FatalN
Time17H00
SpeciesBull Shark, 6'

Recorded Attack #28

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2014-08-05
Year2014
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameFemale
SexF
Age45
InjuryLacerations To Foot
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #29

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2002-03-25
Year2002
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityWading
NameMs Tori Lawrence
SexF
Age11.0
InjuryFoot Bitten
FatalN
Time10H10
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #30

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2006-05-05
Year2006
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityN/A
NameMale
SexM
AgeN/A
InjurySmall Lacerations To Arm
FatalN
Time12H15
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #31

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2015-05-07
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySwimming
NameJosh Green
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryLacerations To Lower Left Leg, Ankle & Foot
FatalN
Time15H00
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #32

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1989-07-14
Year1989
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameJohn O'Brien
SexM
Age16.0
Injury5-Inch Gash On Left Leg
FatalN
TimeAfternoon
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #33

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date1983-06-20
Year1983
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing & Dangling Foot In Water Amid Baitfish
NameBarry Skinner
SexM
Age21
InjuryLeft Foot Lacerated
FatalN
Time16H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #34

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2015-08-22
Year2015
TypeInvalid
CountryUsa
ActivityN/A
NameYoung Boy
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryWound To Right Lower Leg
FatalUnknown
Time19H45
SpeciesShark Involvement Not Confirmed
beach photo

Recorded Attack #35

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2015-11-01
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityWading
NameJill Kruse
SexF
Age28.0
InjuryInjury To Right Ankle/Calf & Hand
FatalN
Time14H00
Species3' To 5' Shark

Recorded Attack #36

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2015-05-29
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivityStanding
NameAshlyn Gilpin
SexF
Age14
InjuryLeft Foot Bitten
FatalN
Time15H00
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #37

AreaFlorida
LocationSouth Of Cocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2014-08-02
Year2014
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameMale
SexM
Age50S
InjuryFoot Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #38

AreaFlorida
LocationCocoa Beach, Brevard County
Date2012-09-16
Year2012
TypeUnprovoked
CountryUsa
ActivitySurfing
NameMale
SexM
Age52
InjuryFoot Bitten
FatalN
Time15H00
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

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 Walton Rocks Beach
Historical Shark Attacks In Miami Beach
Historical Shark Attacks In Head Of The Gulf, Persian Gulf
Historical Shark Attacks In Cap Vert Peninsula, Senegal
Historical Shark Attacks In Hillsborough Bay Beach