Every year, millions of sun-loving beachgoers go to South Carolina’s stunning emerald-green waters.
Sharks are attracted to the state’s estuaries, piers, and fishing holes, where schools of fish offer an unlimited banquet, so tourists aren’t the only ones that swarm the beaches for sun and surf.
However, the 1975 cult movie Jaws, whose unofficial motto, “Don’t Go in the Water,” scared swimmers out of the Atlantic Ocean for years, is partially to blame for sharks’ terrible reputation.
In actuality, sharks hardly ever attack; only a small number of species, including bull sharks, tigers, and great white sharks, are violent and territorial.
Myrtle Beach
The Grand Strand, which includes 14 municipalities along the South Carolina coast, is the name given to the Myrtle Beach area. Shark sightings are common there, especially in the summer.
Numerous species are prevalent, such as spinner and blacktip sharks. One or two shark attacks with minor injuries are reported at Myrtle Beach annually on average.
Two individuals were bitten by sharks on the same day, August 15, 2022, off the coast of Myrtle Beach.
Nevertheless, the occurrences are rather uncommon considering the millions of tourists that visit Myrtle Beach each year.
Similar to how sharks migrate through the warm waters, the majority of incidences take place between late spring and early fall.
Sea Pines Beach
Sea Pines Beach is located on Hilton Head Island, a charming barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, at its southernmost point.
The waters off Hilton Head are also home to a wide variety of shark species. Blacktips, fine tooth sharks, lemon sharks, and bonnetheads—a smaller hammerhead species found in shallow waters—can all be spotted in the surf zone during the summer.
Great white sharks can occasionally be seen on the island during the winter.
Since the island’s marshes and estuary serve as nursery for a variety of shark species, the shallow waters surrounding the Sea Pines Resort are a great area to watch sharks.
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Although there have been a few documented shark attacks at Sea Pines Beach over the years, the likelihood of getting bitten is quite minimal. Sharks attacked two swimmers at Sea Pines in July 2024.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach, also referred to as Charleston’s Beach Town, has a relaxed atmosphere. The majority of activities take place on the water, and popular outdoor water sports include kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing.
Although there is little possibility of being attacked by a shark, visitors to Folly Beach shouldn’t let the sharks deter them from entering the salty sea.
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Avoid swimming at dawn and dark and during or after storms, as these weather conditions can stir up bait fish, which attracts these inquisitive marine creatures.
These are practical safety advice for avoiding sharks. Swimmers should be cautious about entering the water if they witness diving birds or fish jumping, as these behaviors are also warning indicators of an approaching shark.
Isle of Palms
The tranquil South Carolina barrier island of Palms, 18 miles from Charleston, is a popular tourist and local destination.
Numerous shark species, including blacktip, bonnethead, and bull sharks, can be found in the seas around the charming Isle of Palms.
A common coastal species, blacktip sharks are frequently seen inshore close to the beach from May to September, when migration and breeding patterns boost shark activity.
Because they are cautious, these sharks are not very harmful to humans, despite the fact that they are commonly confused for more dangerous species.
An estimated 4-5 foot juvenile tiger shark bit a swimmer on the Isle of Palms in May 2023.
Hunting Island
Hunting Island is a well-liked beach close to historic Beaufort and is a component of the most visited state park in South Carolina.
The park’s roughly five miles of fine white sand on the island’s Atlantic Ocean side attract over a million visitors annually.
Because of its rich ecosystem, which attracts sharks as a feeding place, the beach has had several shark sightings, particularly in the vicinity of its estuary sections. Visitors may come across blacktips, finetooths, bonnetheads, spinner sharks, or lemon sharks on Hunting Island beach.
These shark species are typically observed consuming small bait fish, such mullet and menhaden, which are prevalent in the surf zone.
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