Historical Shark Attacks In Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania, Australia is an island known for its stunning beaches and natural beauty.

The crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores make it a paradise for nature lovers.

From Wineglass Bay to Bay of Fires, Tasmania's beaches offer diverse experiences.

However, it's important to note the presence of sharks in the waters, including Great Whites, Tiger Sharks, and Bronze Whalers.

While shark attacks are rare, visitors should be cautious and follow safety guidelines when swimming or surfing.

By staying informed and avoiding swimming during dawn or dusk, visitors can enjoy Tasmania's beaches while respecting the natural habitat of these creatures.

beach photo

Understanding our data at Tasmania

In our comprehensive overview of tasmania, 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

AreaTasmania
LocationRalph Bay
Date1960-02-29
Year1960
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityWading, Fishing For Flounder
NameMalcolm Robertson & Tom Hasler
SexM
Age30 & 32
InjuryNo Injury, Robertson Knocked Over & Hasler Brushed By A Shark
FatalN
TimeNight
SpeciesTwo 2.1 M [7'] Sharks

Recorded Attack #2

AreaTasmania
LocationN/A
Date1955-12-31
Year1955
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityOcean Racing
NameYacht Even
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupants, Shark Gouged Hull
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
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Recorded Attack #3

AreaTasmania
LocationFlinders Island
Date1949-08-16
Year1949
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming Near Shore
NameRobert Kay
SexM
Age18.0
InjuryHip Lacerated
FatalN
Time16H00
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #4

AreaTasmania
LocationNettley Bay
Date2016-02-10
Year2016
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameMale
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury, Knocked Off Board
FatalUnknown
Time12H30
SpeciesNo Shark Involvement
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Recorded Attack #5

AreaTasmania
LocationWhale Bay, King Island, Bass Strait
Date1959-01-25
Year1959
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming With Motor Tube
NameJohn Grave
SexM
Age16.0
InjuryThigh Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #6

AreaTasmania
LocationWynyard
Date1953-01-08
Year1953
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing
Name14-Foot Boat Sintra
SexN/A
AgeMake Line Green
InjuryNo Injury To Occupant, Shark Charged Boat
FatalN
TimeAfternoon
Species10' To 12' Shark
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Recorded Attack #7

AreaTasmania
LocationDerwent River
DateN/A
Year1870
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivityCanoeing
NameSub Lieut. Bowyer Of H.M.S. Chile
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryShark Bit Canoe In Half & Bit Man. Note: There Is An Earlier Story Of Fatal Shark Attack In Same River
FatalUnknown
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #8

AreaTasmania
LocationBinalong Bay
Date2009-01-11
Year2009
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameHannah Mighall
SexF
Age13
InjurySevere Lacerations To Right Leg
FatalN
Time15H45
SpeciesWhite Shark, 5M
beach photo

Recorded Attack #9

AreaTasmania
LocationElliot's Cove
Date1972-02-12
Year1972
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityN/A
NameD. Trayling
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjurySurvived
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #10

AreaTasmania
LocationSmelting Works Bay Near Hobart
Date1877-04-07
Year1877
TypeProvoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityN/A
NameJohn Smart
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryFingers Injured By Landed Shark Provoked Incident
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species7-Gill Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #11

AreaTasmania
LocationOff Big Friar Island
DateN/A
Year1942
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing For Perch
NameStorm King; Occupants - George Bridge & 2 Sons
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupants, Rudder Damaged By Shark
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #12

AreaTasmania
LocationDerwent River (Empties Into The Sea At Hobart)
Date1890-01-01
Year1890
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityWading
NameFrederick Sampson Johnson
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryKnee Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesSevengill Shark, 14', Was Caught In The Vicinity
beach photo

Recorded Attack #13

AreaTasmania
LocationClifton Beach
Date2016-07-23
Year2016
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameZebulon Critchlow
SexM
Age36.0
InjuryCalf Bumped But No Injury
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #14

AreaTasmania
LocationCape Pillar, Storm Bay
Date1978-09-02
Year1978
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityScuba Diving For Abalone
NameJim Scott
SexM
Age34
InjurySeveral Broken Ribs
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species15' Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #15

AreaTasmania
LocationOff Tasman Island
Date1961-01-02
Year1961
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityOcean Racing
NameYacht Southerly Buster
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupants, Shark Struck Boat
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #16

AreaTasmania
LocationSouth Cape Bay
Date1982-02-28
Year1982
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySpearfishing
NameGeert Talen
SexM
Age32.0
InjuryFatal, Body Not Recovered
FatalY
TimeN/A
Species5.5 M [18''] White Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #17

AreaTasmania
LocationTriabunna
Date1943-06-16
Year1943
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing For Cod
NameA Dinghy, Occupant Neil Parker
SexM
Age18
InjuryNo Injury To Occupant, Shark Grabbed Rudder And Dragged The Dinghy Stern-First
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesWhite Shark, 3.9 M, 550 Kg, Male

Recorded Attack #18

AreaTasmania
LocationBetween Port Arthur Penal Colony & Forestier Peninsula
DateN/A
Year1883
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming / Escaping Imprisonment
NameOwen
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryFatal
FatalY
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
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Recorded Attack #19

AreaTasmania
LocationPiccaninny Point, 10 Miles From Bicheno
Date1966-12-31
Year1966
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing
NameAlf Bosworth
SexM
Age30.0
Injury6 Laceration To Left Forearm
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species2.1 M [7'] Shark

Recorded Attack #20

AreaTasmania
LocationChimney Point, George’S Bay
Date1893-04-04
Year1893
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivityBoat Capsized, Swimming Ashore
NameJoseph Meredith
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryFatal, Probable Drowning
FatalUnknown
Time16H30
SpeciesShark Involvement Prior To Death Unconfirmed
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Recorded Attack #21

AreaTasmania
LocationTenth Island (King Island)
Date1993-06-05
Year1993
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityScuba Diving At Seal Colony
NameTeresa Cartwright
SexF
Age34.0
InjuryFatal
FatalY
Time10H55
Species5 M [16.5'] White Shark

Recorded Attack #22

AreaTasmania
LocationLachan Island, Mercury Passage
Date2015-07-25
Year2015
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityScallop Diving On Hookah
NameDamien Johnson
SexM
Age46.0
InjuryFatal
FatalY
Time10H00
SpeciesWhite Shark, 3.9 To 4.2 M
beach photo

Recorded Attack #23

AreaTasmania
LocationTaroona
Date1969-02-17
Year1969
TypeProvoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing
NameGeorge Pacey
SexM
Age49
InjuryLacerations To Hand From Hooked Shark Provoked Incident
FatalN
TimeDaytime
Species7-Gill Shark

Recorded Attack #24

AreaTasmania
LocationShelly Point
Date1989-10-22
Year1989
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameSteven Jillet
SexM
Age17.0
InjuryNo Injury, Board Bitten
FatalN
Time14H20
Species2.7 M [9'] White Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #25

AreaTasmania
LocationMaatsuyker Island
Date2019-06-06
Year2019
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityAbalone Diving
NameMale
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryBumped By Shark But No Injury
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #26

AreaTasmania
LocationTenth Island
Date2020-07-29
Year2020
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivitySightseeing
Name5.5 M Runabout. Occupants: Sean & James Vinar
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupants, Injury To Shark Attempting To Swallow Anchor
FatalUnknown
Time09H08
SpeciesWhite Shark, 4M
beach photo

Recorded Attack #27

AreaTasmania
LocationOff Stanley
Date2020-07-17
Year2020
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityFishing
NameLucas Arnott
SexM
Age10.0
InjuryLacerations To Arm, Head & Chest
FatalN
Time13H30
SpeciesWhite Shark

Recorded Attack #28

AreaTasmania
LocationBarren Joey Island
Date1993-04-01
Year1993
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivitySpearfishing
NameTony Szolomiak
SexM
Age32
InjuryNo Injury
FatalUnknown
TimeN/A
SpeciesInvalid
beach photo

Recorded Attack #29

AreaTasmania
LocationFluted Cape, Bruny Island
Date1975-07-30
Year1975
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityDiving For Abalone (Scuba)
NameRobert Slack
SexM
Age37
InjuryFatal
FatalY
TimeAfternoon
SpeciesWhite Shark

Recorded Attack #30

AreaTasmania
LocationSweet Water Point, Pitt Water
DateN/A
Year1825
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming
NameAmphibious Jack Male
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryFatal
FatalY
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #31

AreaTasmania
LocationN/A
Date1959-08-30
Year1959
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming
NameRon Cox
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury
FatalUnknown
TimeN/A
SpeciesInvalid

Recorded Attack #32

AreaTasmania
LocationGeorge Town Cove
Date1840-02-01
Year1840
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivitySailing
NameA Dinghy
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupant, Shark Seized Stern Post
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A
beach photo

Recorded Attack #33

AreaTasmania
LocationHobart
Date1831-01-22
Year1831
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivityBoat Capsized, Clinging To Line
NameRobert Dudlow
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryDrowned, No Shark Involvement
FatalUnknown
TimeN/A
SpeciesInvalid

Recorded Attack #34

AreaTasmania
LocationTasman Island
Date1972-08-08
Year1972
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityDiving For Abalone
NameGordon Johnson
SexM
Age45
InjuryLeft Foot Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesWhite Shark, 10'
beach photo

Recorded Attack #35

AreaTasmania
LocationN/A
Date1971-01-02
Year1971
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySwimming
NameRalph Painter
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryTorso Lacerated
FatalN
Time16H30
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #36

AreaTasmania
LocationTriabunna
Date1950-01-01
Year1950
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivitySitting On Side Of Dinghy Mending A Net
NameNeil Drake
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupant, Shark Bit Side Of Dinghy
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesWhite Shark, 3.6 M, 420 Kg Male
beach photo

Recorded Attack #37

AreaTasmania
LocationNear Schouten Island
Date2008-12-27
Year2008
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivityYacht Race
NameWild Oats Xi
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupants - Shark Became Entangled In Aft Rudder
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species2 M Shark

Recorded Attack #38

AreaTasmania
LocationClifton Beach, Southwest Of Hobart
Date1992-02-09
Year1992
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameWayne Fitzpatrick
SexM
Age19.0
InjuryNo Injury, Shark Allegedly Took His Surfboard & Slashed His Wetsuit. Shark Involvement Questionable
FatalUnknown
Time19H30
SpeciesQuestionable Incident
beach photo

Recorded Attack #39

AreaTasmania
LocationBadger Head
Date1959-01-01
Year1959
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySpearfishing / Free Diving
NameMale
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryAbrasion
FatalN
TimeN/A
Species1.5 M [5'] Shark

Recorded Attack #40

AreaTasmania
LocationBeechford
DateN/A
Year1978
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityScuba Diving
NameColin Wrankmore
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryThigh Bitten
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesSevengill Shark, 2.4 M
beach photo

Recorded Attack #41

AreaTasmania
LocationSouth Cape Bay
Date2012-06-22
Year2012
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivitySurfing
NameJames Barthy
SexM
AgeN/A
InjuryKnocked Off Board, Shark Bit Nose Off Surfboard
FatalN
TimeN/A
SpeciesN/A

Recorded Attack #42

AreaTasmania
LocationEaglehawk Neck
Date1960-01-07
Year1960
TypeWatercraft
CountryAustralia
ActivitySetting Crayfish Pots
Name16' Boat, Occupant: W. Lonergan
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryNo Injury To Occupant, Shark Rammed Boat
FatalN
Time09H00
Species4.9 M [16'] Shark
beach photo

Recorded Attack #43

AreaTasmania
LocationSafety Cove
Date1959-01-17
Year1959
TypeUnprovoked
CountryAustralia
ActivityIn Deep Water About 100 Yards From His Ship
NameBrian Derry, A Naval Rating
SexM
Age22.0
InjuryFatal
FatalY
Time16H30
SpeciesSaid To Involve 2 Sharks: 5.2 M & 6 M [17' & 20']

Recorded Attack #44

AreaTasmania
LocationBridport
Date1905-03-25
Year1905
TypeInvalid
CountryAustralia
ActivityBathing
NameCharles Taylor
SexN/A
AgeN/A
InjuryFatal
FatalUnknown
TimeN/A
SpeciesQuestionable
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 Grand Turk Island, British West Indies
Historical Shark Attacks In Virgin Islands, Usa
Historical Shark Attacks In Singapore Harbor, Singapore
Historical Shark Attacks In Guizhou Province, China
Historical Shark Attacks In Pennekamp Coral Reef State Beach