Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Are There Sharks In The Bahamas?
Yes, the Bahamas is the world’s most vicious shark hotspot accommodating different species of sharks. The Bahamas coastal water is said to invite more than 40 shark species and thus, the archipelago is well-known as the shark capital of the world.
In special, the Cat Island of the Bahamas is home to the biggest collection of whitetip sharks. Though this species is quite rare and endangered, it can be seen in the protected waters areas off this island.
Types Of Sharks & Most Common Sharks In The Bahamas?
As noted above there are more than 40 shark species visiting the Bahamas every year. Species are inclusive of Tiger Sharks, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, Great Hammerhead Sharks, Bulls Sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Nurse Sharks, and more. Of these 40 species, the most commonly found species of shark is the Caribbean Reef Shark. This species can be seen in huge groups near shallow waters.
List of most common Shark species in the Bahamas:
- Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
- Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
- Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
- Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
- Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)
- Smooth Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna zygaena)
- Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
- Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
- Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
- Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)
- Thresher Shark (Alopias spp.)
- Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
How Many Sharks Are In The Bahamas?
There are over 40 species of sharks in the Bahamas and can be seen throughout the year. However, the exact number of these species is not available as they keep moving in and out of the regions in the summer and winter months as the temperature increases and decreases.
Which Island In The Bahamas Has The Most Sharks?
The Grand Bahama Island on the west end has the most sharks. The Grand Bahama is known as the world’s shark-infested beaches. This spot is home to many shark species, including Hammerhead Sharks, Great Hammerhead Sharks, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Lemon Sharks, and Nurse Sharks.
The Bahamas has 700 islands and it’s hard to pinpoint each island’s shark species and population. But I’ve listed all the major/popular islands of the Bahamas with Shark species inhibiting them.
- New Providence Island – Nurse Shark, Lemon Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark
- Grand Bahama Island – Tiger Shark, Bull Shark
- Bimini Islands – Great Hammerhead Shark, Bull Shark
- Andros Island – Lemon Shark, Nurse Shark
- Cat Island – Lemon Shark
- Exuma Cays – Nurse Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Hammerhead Shark
- Abaco Islands – Nurse Shark, Blacktip Shark
- Long Island – Various Shark Species
- Eleuthera Island – Caribbean Reef Shark
- San Salvador Island – Tiger Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Also, Check our Guide On Sharks In The New Smyrna Beach
Are Sharks A Problem In The Bahamas? Are They Dangerous?
Sharks are not a problem and there are a variety of reasons for sharks to attack a human. They are very active in the summer months and this coincides with a prime in tourism to the region and increased water activity on the Bahamas coast.
During these months, females migrate to warmer areas to spawn the younger ones. Also, sharks are not dangerous and are naturally curious species that are attracted to regions with lots of food and activity. Sometimes they can become aggressive when vulnerable to invasion.
Can You Swim With Sharks In The Bahamas? Is It Safe?
Yes, you can swim with sharks in the Bahamas. It is the most famous water activity as it is very safe. It’s believed safe as sharks have been acclimatized to humans and with experienced diving operators paying close attention to the marine species, and weather conditions when swallowing other protocols.
If you want to encounter this thrilling marine experience, you can swim along with nurse sharks at Compass Cay Marina. It’s the top-rated spot for swimming with sharks in the Bahamas. If you swim with experienced instructors in designated swimming locations, the odds of getting accidentally attacked by a shark are almost zero.
How Many Shark Attacks In The Bahamas?
Fatal shark attacks are extremely rare and the Bahamas has the most number of shark attacks than any other Caribbean island. With over 32 shark attacks since 1749, the highest number in the area, yet, the number is relatively low.
The recent shark attack in the Bahamas was in 2019 when a US cruise ship passenger was attacked by a shark when snorkeling in the Bahamas. This incident was the first fatal shark attack since 2019 in the Bahamas.
There have been more shark attacks on humans than anywhere else in the Caribbean, however, this is largely due to the Bahamas being a tourist spot. There are thousands of people snorkeling and swimming, and it is a region where there are plenty of tropical sharks.
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the Sharks in the Bahamas. I hope this article answered all your queries.
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