From Hawaii to Florida, a look at US shark attacks so far in 2025
The most recent reported incident took place on July 22 in South Florida, when a Canadian tourist was seriously injured and hospitalized after a shark bit him.
According to USA TODAY Network tracking as well as data from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) and TrackingSharks.com, 12 reported shark attacks have occurred so far this year in American waters.
More than half took place in Florida, while the second highest number of incidents happened in South Carolina, data shows.
So far, none resulted in death.
"This year's numbers do not look particularly unusual at least thus far," Florida Program for Shark Research Director and ISAF spokesperson Gavin Naylor told USA TODAY.
Here's how many shark attacks the U.S. has seen so far in 2025, including when and where they occured.
Florida (7)
Florida leads all 50 states with the highest number of attacks (7) reported so far this year.
July 22 (3 p.m.): Hollywood
A tourist was injured and hospitalized in South Florida after a shark bit him. The Canadian was in chest-deep water with a friend when a fish jumped over his head and he was immediately attacked by a shark, Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety said.
July 19 (time unknown): West Palm Beach
A 69-year-old photographer survived a shark bite after he approached a 5-foot shark, while diving with friends in the Jupiter Inlet, The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The shark was caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean. As he tried releasing the shark, another diver bumped into it, and the shark bit the man's right forearm.
July 18 (12 p.m.): New Smyrna Beach
An 18-year-old surf instructor suffered injuries to his foot while surfing, Volusia County Beach Safety reported. The man was paddling to a sandbar when he attempted to jump and push his board over a wave when he was bitten.
July 6 (3 p.m.): New Smyrna Beach
A 40-year-old man was bitten by a shark on his right forearm as he swam in the ocean, Voulsia County Beach Safety said. The man was transported for medical treatment with non-life-threatening injuries, the Daytona News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
June 11 (12:11 p.m.): Boca Grande
A 9-year-old girl snorkeling with her siblings and her dad was attacked by a shark and suffered a hand injury. She was taken by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital to receive emergency care.
May 27 (time unknown): South of Pompano Beach
A 32-year-old woman snorkeling near the pier off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was bitten by a shark, according to NBC Miami. The outlet reported she was in waist-deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming nearby and a shark grabbed her left arm. She was treated at a hospital.
April 13 (12:34 p.m.): Cocoa Beach
A 12-year-old boy suffered a knee injury in a suspected shark attack near the Cocoa Beach Causeway, the Daytona Beach Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The boy was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Officials later said the cut could have been caused by his surfboard.
Shark attack: American bit by shark boating in The Bahamas
South Carolina (2)
June 22 (12:10 p.m.): Sea Pines Beach
Less than one week later, a teenager was bitten in the same area and also suffered a leg injury, the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. According to ABC News and Fox News, the attack took place at Coligny Beach Park.
June 17 (12:07 p.m.): Sea Pines Beach
A 12-year-old girl was bitten on the leg in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island, local officials said. The girl was transported to Hilton Head Island Airport, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for further treatment.
New York (1)
June 26 (4:15 p.m.): Long Island
A 20-year-old female in shallow water off Jones Beach State Park was injured, data shows. The woman suffered minor cuts to her left foot and leg when she was likely bitten by a shark, The New York Times reported. She was taken to a hospital to be treated.
Bahamas shark attack: 2 American women attacked Bimini district
North Carolina (1)
May 28 (11 a.m.): Sunset Beach in Brunswick County
The Sunset Beach Fire Department reported crews responded to the beach just south of Ocean Isle Beach for a report of a person who suffered a leg injury swimming near 31st Street in a suspected shark attack. The swimmer, a 26-year-old man, was taken to a medical facility to be treated for his injuries.
Hawaii (1)
Jan. 11 (1:40 p.m.): Town of Haleiwa on Oahu
A tour boat employee in Hawaii suffered a shark attack on the island's North Shore. Hawaii News Now reported the 23-year-old man was hospitalized to be treated for serious injuries.
Puerto Rico shark attack: Former NBA player's pregnant wife bitten
How many shark attacks took place in the US last year?
According to International Shark Attack File(ISAF), 28 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks last year in U.S. waters.
Of those who encountered sharks, one person died.
According to Trackingsharks.com, the odds of being killed by a shark in the U.S. are more than 4 million to 1.
How many people die from shark attacks every year?
Each year, according to ISAF, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, the world averages 65 documented shark attacks annually.
On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year, according to ISAF.
Last year, 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks.
Bahamas shark attack: American bitten by shark while boating
How to reduce risk of a shark attack
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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3 hours ago
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A toast to Florida: 11 top bars locals love and visitors do not want to miss
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Featuring a stellar craft-cocktail menu, global and evocative tapas from Executive Chef Ellie Schultze, and luxurious desserts from St. Augustine's Crème de la Cocoa, patrons can enjoy the decadent imbibe against the musical backdrop of a grand piano hosting world-class jazz musicians such as Joshua Bowlus and Linda Cole, niece of Nat King Cole. Owners Alberto and Jeanetta Cebollero remodeled the 1800s-era house into today's sophisticated and welcoming dining room, complete with piano and bar that evokes an old-fashioned jazz supper club adorned with modern-day sensibilities. The elegant, speakeasy-style ambiance recalls the days of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.― Lucia Viti, The St. Augustine Record Escondido Lounge | Downtown Fort Myers Details: 1617 Hendry St., Unit 102 (enter through Taco Works), Fort Myers; 239-898-7410; This 8-month-old speakeasy is as fun as it is gorgeous. In true speakeasy form, no signs announce its location. Find it by going through a laid-back taco joint and entering though a nondescript freezer door marked 'Restricted area, employees only.' Everything changes from there. A soothing red glow washes over lush velvet love seats backed by an immense wall of backlit mirrors. A sleek baby grand piano rests on a platform overhead. An elaborately stunning 6-foot-tall red chandelier watches over the room's focal point — a lusciously inviting U-shape bar. And that's just the downstairs. The classic and signature cocktails are crafted to match the vibe. The historic Richards Building once housed a pharmacy and soda bar, reportedly frequented by Ty Cobb, Thomas Edison, Connie Mack and others. Now you'll find cocktails named after them. Order one, sit back and enjoy the ambiance. After all, you found the Escondido Lounge. — Robyn George, The News-Press Visually stunning speakeasies coming to downtown Fort Myers next month, Cape Coral in 2025 Hardwick's Bar | Downtown Jacksonville Details: 100 E. Adams St., Jacksonville; A 99-year-old former cigar factory and English pub in the heart of downtown Jacksonville opened in 2023 as Hardwick's Bar, the first major LGBTQIA+ club open in the city in decades. The club is named for architect Taylor Hardwick, who designed the distinctive former library building just across the street. A custom bar, dark green walls and floor-to-ceiling windows greet patrons and the monthly events calendar is filled with DJs and dance parties. There is no kitchen at Hardwick's but the bar has an extensive selection of whiskeys and tequilas. — Tom Szaroleta/The Florida Times-Union Liberty Bar | Tallahassee Details: 1307 N Monroe St., Tallahassee; 850-354-8277; Seven Hills Hospitality Group has established itself as a favorite of Tallahassee foodies with the likes of Black Radish, LINK, The Hawthorn and Bar 1903. Liberty is what started it all. Excellent drinks and bar food in a sparsely decorated, not too brightly lit atmosphere. 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With three bars under one roof, nightly live music, cold drinks and darn good food -- it's the kind of place where grandpas, middle-aged women and college kids share bar space. Come hungry and try the famous Kummelweck Sandwich, piled high with beef on a salted, caraway-topped kaiser roll. Thirsty? Every cocktail is made with fresh fruit, juiced on the spot—no mixes, no shortcuts. Try the Orange Crush! Inside, it's cozy, with a classic pub feel. Dark wood, framed family and vintage city pictures and the hum of customers catching up. Outside, the tiki bar is surrounded by tropical foliage, plenty of tables and a dance space where funky moves are welcome. This building itself is a legend. According to the owner, the house may date back over a hundred years: with thirsty travelers and horses having lined up like its happy hour at the well behind the building. – Amber Olesen, FLORIDA TODAY More: Best bar in Brevard? Believe the hype. This downtown Melbourne staple deserves the honor. 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Palafox St., Pensacola; 850-332-5916; Old Hickory leads the way in whiskey, offering over 750 varieties in a dim-lit, sexy and sleek bar in the heart of downtown Pensacola. Seasonal drinks are supreme at Old Hickory, whether it's their peach tea-infused Summer Old Fashioned or a Christmas pop-up drink when the bar transforms into a hauntingly whimsical Nightmare on Palafox. Old Hickory was named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson, whose personal residence was just across the street from the bar. 'Old Hickory' was Jackson's nickname in battle, and he became the namesake of the popular Palafox Street bar owned by Katie Garrett and managed by Joe Couture. While hundreds of whiskey bottles are shelved to the ceiling and can certainly be enjoyed and appreciated on the rocks, there are a variety of cocktails that allow Old Hickory's mixologists to shine. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal 6 of the most unique Pensacola bars: From a secret tiki bar to a 70s inspired arcade Ocean Deck | Daytona Beach Details: 127 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach; 386-253-5224, Ocean Deck, the quintessential beach bar, has been feeding Daytona Beach visitors for more than 65 years. After opening as a humble hotdog stand in 1957, the surfer-friendly spot has become a local watering hole for that beachfront, craft cocktail, live entertainment experience that locals enjoy on the regular and generations of vacationers look forward to year after year. 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USA Today
3 hours ago
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I explored a new country with 13 strangers. It was my favorite trip.
I couldn't recall the names of any of the restaurants I visited during my weeklong stay in Portugal. What I can tell you is the name, country of origin, profession, and motivations of my 13 travel companions – none of whom I knew prior to setting foot in Europe. Solo travel can be intimidating. Having been on different group trips by myself, it can feel isolating to be the sole person among couples, families, and friend groups. It's always a little awkward during mealtimes when you have to make the choice of asking to sit with someone, harkening to schoolyard fears, or taking a table for yourself and possibly alienating potential friends. "The reason I chose solo (travel) was because where I live, it's seasonal and all the people that I hang around with leave during the summer and there's no one there,' John O'hea told USA TODAY. 'I wanted to meet a bunch of new people and get exposed to different viewpoints, different ideas ... and I haven't been disappointed.' My first meal in Portugal in late July, I sat next to Sydni from California, and we quickly latched on to each other. At least for me, Sydni was homebase – and I'd like to think I was that for her as well – as we explored connections with the rest of the group. It only took one train ride together to get to know half the group. The fact that we were all solo travelers made it so everyone was open to each other and the experience of exploring a new country. It was my first time traveling with G Adventures in their new program "Solo-ish." While the concept is simple – a group of solo travelers sharing an itinerary and sometimes a room – taking the plunge of booking seemed to be the biggest hurdle for most. (Myself included.) 'This was my first time ever traveling solo, and what made it very enticing was the fact that it was solo-ish. So, although I was leaving and arriving alone – I was very nervous to join a group and see if I was going to feel included,' Natalyn Hibbs said. 'I would say, take that leap and join. It's very rewarding and the people that you meet – coming from all different areas – make it a really cool experience, and there's so much you get back from it.' We visited six locations (Lisbon, Cascais, Belem, Nazaré, Amarante and Porto), giving the group a good taste of what makes them unique. At each stop, we had a planned activity that ranged from nature hikes to city food tours to sightseeing via boat. Solo travel is an increasingly popular choice, with 'alone' being now the third most common choice for travel companionship, according to a January survey of 32,106 respondents across 32 countries and territories. Around 21% of global respondents and 29% of U.S. respondents reported that they took a solo trip in 2024. Among those who traveled solo, the freedom to create their itinerary was a key motivator for 38% of global respondents and 30% of Americans. 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The next day, during our visit to Cascais and Belem, the group dispersed to whatever appealed the most (views, or hikes), but because we were all solo travelers in a group, you always had someone ready to share a view with you or split a ridiculously large almond pastry. The Chief Experience Officers (CEOs), as G Adventures calls their guides, were there not only as shepherds of the group, but also to serve as experts on the area, often recommending where to eat or what to do on our own based on our interests. I do actually remember one of the restaurants (Adega Machado, check them out if you're in Lisbon) because we heard some of the most beautiful live music mere feet from our table, with voices from Isabel Noronha to Pedro Moutinho to Filipa Vieira all in one night. Our G Adventures guide coordinated the experience, and I'm so glad she did because I wouldn't have known otherwise to do that. 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Those uncomfortable moments you handle by yourself are the ones that truly reveal who you truly are. 'I think doing like the solo-solo travel where you're not with a group, you're not on a tour, that is definitely intimidating and very challenging, and can be very lonely,' Pavel Orel, another guest, said. 'This trip is like the perfect balance where there's a lot of the structure that's built in, there's a lot of the community that is already here, and there's enough freedom to do whatever.' I consider myself introverted, and this trip was the first time I didn't feel exhausted after talking to people for hours on end. It's an experience quite unlike any other. I'm not saying I will only do solo group trips from now on, but there's something to be said about touching base with yourself in a new environment surrounded by travelers looking to do the same. 'I haven't done a group trip in a while, and most of the group trips I did, I feel like most of the people were pretty immature. And I feel like this trip had people who really know themselves, they feel secure in themselves, and that makes it a safe environment to go deeper into more real stuff. (Compared to what) you would otherwise do surface level when you just meet someone over dinner or something,' Rachel Rosenbaum said. Visiting a new destination with other solo travelers from different countries, backgrounds, ages, and fields only enhances the experience. I walked away from Portugal with an appreciation for the country's relaxed culture, as well as the turns of phrase from South Africans, the kindness of Canadians, the thoughtfulness of Brits, the resilience of Russians, and the tenacity of Americans on the trip with me. I wouldn't have gotten any of that by myself. The reporter on this story received access from G Adventures. USA TODAY maintains editorial control. Josh Rivera is USA TODAY's Senior Consumer Travel Editor. You can reach him at jrivera@
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
White House lands on Trump-Putin summit location as officials race to prepare for historic Alaska meeting
American officials scrambling this weekend to identify and lock down a venue for Friday's summit between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart quickly discovered a major snag: summertime is peak tourist season in Alaska, and options both available and equipped to host the two world leaders were severely limited. When word reached certain prominent Alaskans that Trump and Putin were coming, a few began reaching out to the president's allies with a proposition: could their home be an option? It's unclear if those offers ever reached White House officials, who were calling sites in Juneau, the state capital, along with Anchorage and Fairbanks. Organizers of the summit soon came to believe the only city in the massive state with viable options for the summit would be Anchorage. And only Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, on the northern edge of the city, would meet the security requirements for the historic meeting, though the White House had hoped to avoid the optics of hosting the Russian leader and his entourage on a US military installation. That is where the two men will meet Friday, two White House officials said. The struggle underscored the rush now underway to nail down the details of Friday's meeting, the first time the top US and Russian leaders have met in more than four years. The summit is still largely a work in progress as US and Russian officials make haste to prepare for the high-profile encounter. The two countries' top diplomats — Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov — spoke Tuesday to discuss 'certain aspects of preparation,' according to Russia's foreign ministry. Usually, a high-stakes summit with a US adversary would be preceded by extensive negotiations over the agenda and outcomes. But Trump himself has said he is approaching the meeting as a 'feel-out' session, with few advance expectations for how it will proceed. The White House on Tuesday termed it a 'listening session.' 'The president feels like, 'look, I've got to look at this guy across the table. I need to see him face to face. I need to hear him one-on-one. I need to make an assessment by looking at him,'' Rubio said in a morning radio interview Tuesday with Sid Rosenberg, offering one explanation for why Trump's five known phone calls with Putin this year wouldn't suffice in determining the Russian leader's intentions. Landing on Alaska Trump's administration and the Kremlin landed on Alaska as the site for the summit after a lengthy behind-the-scenes back-and-forth, according to people familiar with the matter. There were few places that would work for the sit-down, the people said, particularly given a war crimes warrant issued for Putin's arrest by the International Criminal Court in 2023. With that fact looming, Russia balked at a European destination — even in a city like Vienna or Geneva, where US and Russian leaders have met dating back to the Cold War. While Putin himself raised the United Arab Emirates as an 'entirely suitable' location, many inside the White House hoped to avoid another lengthy trek to the Middle East after Trump's visit in May. In the end, sources said, it came down to Hungary — whose Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is close to both Trump and Putin — and the United States as possible hosts, according to two US officials. American officials were pleased and somewhat surprised when the Russian president agreed to a meeting on US soil — on land that once was part of the Russian empire, no less. 'I thought it was very respectful that the president of Russia is coming to our country as opposed to us going to his country or even a third-party place,' Trump said this week, as his team was rushing to finalize details of the summit. Others were not so taken. 'The only better place for Putin than Alaska would be if the summit were being held in Moscow,' said Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, who fell out with Trump during his first term. 'So, the initial setup, I think, is a great victory for Putin.' Previous Putin meetings The last time an American president met with Putin — President Joe Biden's 2021 summit in Geneva — the date and venue were announced three weeks ahead of time. But the planning between Russian and American officials started months before that. Biden, on a week-long swing through Europe, spent the days leading up to the sit-down in intensive preparation with top advisers, blocking out time in the mornings to parse potential directions the conversation could take and anticipate some of Putin's moves. He consulted other leaders, including the German chancellor, for pointers on how to approach the notoriously wily Russian leader. By the time the summit arrived, aides had planned the day down to the most minute detail, including what order the leaders would arrive, how long each session would last and what type of flower would sit on the table (it was white roses). American officials even ensured there were bottles of orange Gatorade — labeled 'POTUS' — inside a refrigerator at the 18th-century villa where the meeting took place. During Trump's first term, he and Putin sat one-on-one in Helsinki, Finland, during a summit in 2018 that ended with a remarkable moment when Trump sided with Putin over US intelligence agencies on the question of Russian election interference. Trump also met Putin alone in 2017, during their first encounter at the G20 summit in Hamburg. Mystery over meeting's origins While American and Russian officials have been in extensive conversations to prepare for the sit-down since it was agreed to last week, the encounter that prompted the event remains something of a mystery. Trump's foreign envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow last Wednesday for a meeting with Putin that resulted in the decision to meet, though what exactly Putin said in the meeting is still largely unknown. European officials spent much of the last week trying to ascertain the parameters of a peace deal that Putin offered up, but some said they were frustrated by the lack of clarity offered by Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime friend of Trump's. Trump plans to hear from European leaders and Ukraine in a virtual meeting on Wednesday, arranged by the Germans so the president can get their perspective ahead of the Friday meeting. And he has promised to get on the phone with them, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, immediately after the summit concludes. But Zelensky isn't expected to be in Alaska for the summit, so any potential trilateral meeting is off the table for now. Instead, Trump will spend at least part of the summit meeting with Putin one-on-one, the White House said Tuesday, allowing time for the two men to carry out a discussion unheard by anyone else aside from their translators. 'That's part of the plan,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked whether the two presidents would meet as a pair. 'As for the other mechanics and logistics, I will let our team speak to that when they're ironed out.' It's not atypical for leaders to meet alone with their counterparts, but Trump and Putin's relationship has been the subject of intense scrutiny. And during Trump's first term, even senior officials said they sometimes were left in the dark about what was discussed when aides were left out. In Trump's previous two meetings with Putin, both encounters included translators, but not high-ranking aides. After the Germany meeting, Trump reportedly asked his translator for his notes. For his part, Putin has spent the days ahead of Friday's meeting placing phone calls to his remaining global allies — including some who have staged their own high-profile summits with Trump. That included North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the Kremlin said Tuesday, who met three times with Trump during his first term, but still hasn't abandoned his nuclear weapons. This article has been updated with additional information
