Along the northeastern coast of the United States, Massachusetts has a variety of beaches to explore.
From the clean shores of Cape Cod to the lively beaches of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, the state offers a mix of natural beauty and history.
Massachusetts beaches are known for their soft sand, clear water, and charming lighthouses.
The area is also home to diverse marine life, including sharks.
Recent sightings of these predators have sparked interest and concern among beach visitors.
Local authorities closely monitor and manage shark activity for the safety of swimmers and surfers.
Despite these sightings, Massachusetts beaches remain popular, drawing visitors with their outdoor adventures and scenic nature.
Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or lively beach fun, Massachusetts beaches guarantee a memorable seaside experience.
Understanding our data at Massachusetts
In our comprehensive overview of massachusetts, 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
Massachusetts
Location
Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, Barnstable County
Date
2017-08-23
Year
2017
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Sup
Name
Cleveland Bigelow
Sex
M
Age
69.0
Injury
Not Injured By Shark But Board Bitten
Fatal
N
Time
10H00
Species
White Shark, 5' To 7'
Recorded Attack #2
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Swampscott, Essex County
Date
1830-07-26
Year
1830
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing From Dory, Shark Upset Boat & He Fell Into The Water
Name
Joseph Blaney
Sex
M
Age
52
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #3
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Newcomb Hollow Beach, Wellfleet, Barnstable County
Date
2018-09-15
Year
2018
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Boogie Boarding
Name
Arthur Medici
Sex
M
Age
26.0
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
12H00
Species
White Shark
Recorded Attack #4
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Hollywood Beach, Just Above Mattapoisett Harbor, Buzzards Bay
Date
1936-07-25
Year
1936
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Swimming Crawl Stroke
Name
Joseph Troy, Jr
Sex
M
Age
16.0
Injury
Fatal, Finger Severed, Thigh Bitten He Died During The Surgical Amputation Of His Leg
Fatal
Y
Time
15H30
Species
White Shark (Identified By Dr. Hugh Smith)
Recorded Attack #5
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Ballston Beach, Truro, Cape Cod
Date
2012-07-30
Year
2012
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Body Surfing
Name
Chris Myers
Sex
M
Age
50
Injury
Lacerations To Both Legs Below The Knees
Fatal
N
Time
15H30
Species
Thought To Involve A White Shark
Recorded Attack #6
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Chatham Island
Date
2001-07-21
Year
2001
Type
Watercraft
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Boat, Occupants: Joseph Fitzback & 6 Passengers
Sex
N/A
Age
N/A
Injury
No Injury To Occupants; Shark Bumped The Boat
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Mako Shark, 14'
Recorded Attack #7
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Granite Pier, Rockport
Date
1965-02-04
Year
1965
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Scuba Diving
Name
Ronald R. Powell
Sex
M
Age
18.0
Injury
Punctures On Left Thigh
Fatal
N
Time
14H30
Species
1.2 M [4'] Shark
Recorded Attack #8
Area
Massachusetts
Location
40 Miles South Of Nantucket
Date
1969-08-22
Year
1969
Type
Provoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Robert Eleniefsky
Sex
M
Age
28
Injury
Leg Bitten By Netted Shark Provoked Incident
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #9
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Truro (Cape Cod), Barnstable County
Date
1996-07-21
Year
1996
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Swimming
Name
James Orlowski
Sex
M
Age
46
Injury
Lacerations To Left Leg & Right Foot
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
6' Shark
Recorded Attack #10
Area
Massachusetts
Location
N/A
Date
1751-07-27
Year
1751
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Swimming
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #11
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Longnook Beach, Truro, Barnstable County
Date
2018-08-15
Year
2018
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Swimming
Name
William Lytton
Sex
M
Age
61.0
Injury
Lacerations To Leg, Hip And Hand
Fatal
N
Time
16H00
Species
White Shark
Recorded Attack #12
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Manomet Point, Plymouth, Plymouth County
Date
2014-09-03
Year
2014
Type
Watercraft
Country
Usa
Activity
Kayaking
Name
Ida Parker & Kristen Orr
Sex
F
Age
20S
Injury
No Injury, Shark Bit Kayak
Fatal
N
Time
18H00
Species
White Shark, 12' To 14'
Recorded Attack #13
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Off Gloucester, Essec County
Date
2016-07-07
Year
2016
Type
Provoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Roger Brissom
Sex
M
Age
59.0
Injury
Fin Of Hooked Shark Injured Fisherman's Forearm. . Provoked Incident
Fatal
N
Time
10H00
Species
Dogfish Shark
Recorded Attack #14
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Cape Cod
Date
1848-07-17
Year
1848
Type
Invalid
Country
Usa
Activity
N/A
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Human Remains Recovered From 4.9 M Shark
Fatal
Unknown
Time
N/A
Species
Shark Involvement Prior To Death Unconfirmed
Recorded Attack #15
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Menauhant Beach, Falmouth,
Barnstable County
Date
2017-08-03
Year
2017
Type
Provoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
34.0
Injury
Foot Bitten By Landed Shark Provoked Incident
Fatal
N
Time
23H30
Species
4' Shark
Recorded Attack #16
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Nahant
Date
1922-09-21
Year
1922
Type
Watercraft
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Boat, Occupants: Mr. Goslin & 4 Passengers
Sex
N/A
Age
N/A
Injury
No Injury To Occupants, Shark Splintered Stern
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
A Pack Of 6 Sharks
Recorded Attack #17
Area
Massachusetts
Location
Chelsea Beach, Suffolk County
Date
1847-09-10
Year
1847
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Wading
Name
Amos Thompson
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Lacerations To Arm
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #18
Area
Massachusetts
Location
30 Miles South Of Lynn
Date
1897-03-15
Year
1897
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Usa
Activity
Fishing
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Fatal
Fatal
Y
Time
N/A
Species
N/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
