Are there shark attacks in Hawaii? The facts every parent needs to know!
Sharks are incredible animals that are important to our ocean ecosystems. YES! There are Sharks in Hawaiian waters. However, unprovoked shark attacks on human beings are incredibly rare and your fear of sharks does not need to keep you and your children away from the beautiful beaches and out of blue waters. Be informed, but don't be afraid.
Here are some safety tips to help you understand the risks:
Always observe the signs at the beaches. If there have been shark sightings in the area there will be signs posted. The beaches will be closed for 24 hours after a shark sighting.
Swim at beaches that have county lifeguards
Avoid swimming in murky waters
Avoid swimming in brackish water
Always swim during daylight hours, avoid swimming at sunset,
Do not swim with open wounds (Sharks can smell blood and it attracts them...this is not a myth! These apex predators have an important role in the coral reefs, which is primarily to get rid of injured and diseased animals. The ability to smell blood helps them to perform this important job to keep the reefs healthy)
Avoid excessive splashing while in the water
Wear dark or neutral colors. Sharks are naturally attracted to bright and shiny things (like reflective fish scales) so neon bathing suits with sequins are not the best idea if you are swimming in the open ocean.
Swim in the bays. Sharks are more likely to be found in the open ocean.
The types of sharks that live in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian island of Maui are diverse, if you can believe it….there are about 40 species of sharks!
I know, we are all wondering…. which is the most common shark species to attack? You’ll find the answer below!
These are the most common type of sharks:
Whitetip Reef Shark:
These sharks can be found in more shallow waters. They are nocturnal hunters, so if you do see a white tip reef shark during the day, it will likely be sleeping under a coral reef ledge.
“The whitetip reef shark is found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is associated with the coral reef environment. In the Hawaiian Islands, they can be observed resting in caves or under ledges since they are the only shark in Hawaiian waters with the ability to stop swimming and rest for long periods at a time, making them more commonly observed by divers. These sharks are gray in coloration and have slightly flat heads with distinct white tips on the tops of the first and second dorsal and tail fins.”
https://mauioceancenter.com/marine-life/whitetip-reef-shark/
Blacktip Reef shark:
“These sharks are among the most common. The blacktip reef shark is easily identified by the prominent blacktips on its fins. In Hawai‘i, blacktip reef sharks will reach an average of 5.5 feet in length.”
https://mauioceancenter.com/marine-life/blacktip-reef-shark/
Sandbar Shark:
“Found in all oceans of the world, sandbar sharks are most common in deep coastal waters. This species has been documented in intertidal areas down to about 900 feet in depth. The sandbar shark is light gray or tan in coloration with white on its ventral side. Lacking distinct markings, its tall dorsal fin is a distinguishing characteristic. The maximum length recorded for a sandbar in Hawai‘i is 6.4 feet, while the average is 5 feet.”
Tiger Sharks: Here’s the answer to your question!! The consensus seems to be that Tiger shark attacks are the most common.
“Tiger sharks are common in coastal waters worldwide in tropical and temperate waters. They have a distinct, broadly rounded snout and serrated teeth. Juveniles have visible spotting patterns that fade into light grey stripes as they mature. Studies show a broad distribution in habitat, and tracking studies have shown that tiger sharks can swim 30 miles in 24 hours. Tiger sharks are known to come into shallower coastal waters, usually at night. Lengths of 19.6 feet have been documented, but overall, it’s rare to encounter a tiger shark over 15 feet in length.”
https://mauioceancenter.com/marine-life/tiger-shark/k/
Great White Sharks
Great white sharks in Hawaii are not common! Although apparently the great whites do come to the Hawaiian Islands during the winter months to hunt humpback whale calves, they are rare and have not been encountered by people commonly. There was an underwater photographer who had an incredible experience. You can hear his story on youtube!
Although sharks are aggressive predators, the usual shark victims are the Hawaiian green sea turtles…not people!!
Trust me, the idea of swimming near these large sharks with my kids can make me feel a bit queasy....but the reality is I have spent a lot of time swimming with my kids in the ocean and I have never seen a shark. Does anyone else have a fear of seeing that shark dorsal fins in shallow water swimming up behind your playing child? Well if you didn't have that image, you're welcome...I have shared my anxiety with you. I think it's just important to think through the worst case scenario, understand the probability, and make an informed decision. If I avoid all activities that had some risk involved, I would just bubble wrap my kids and live in a padded room. BORING!!
When we enter the ocean, I just try to remember that I am entering their natural habitat, and humans are not their food source!
Now since you want to know, here are some of the details on Shark Attacks in the islands of Hawaii. Remember when you read this that Maui does have the highest number of shark attacks, but it also has the greatest number of people swimming in the ocean because Maui has the most swimmable beaches of the Hawaiian islands. Many of the reported incidents are also considered to be provoked incident (i.e. the person intentionally aggravates the shark and the shark reciprocates).
Number of Shark Attacks in 2022: TWO. Neither were in less than 200ft of water (ie they were in the open ocean), both were non fatal, one was while was floating 1.5 miles from shore in the middle of the night… (why???), the other was considered a provoked attack while scuba diving.
Ref: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/sharks/shark-incidents/incidents-list/
There have been ZERO Deadly Shark Attacks so far in 2022. We are off to a good start!
There WAS deadly shark attack in 2019 in Maui. This story is a heart wrenching tragedy. The 65 year old man who was the victim of the shark attack was certainly in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I read his story, I see that he lived without fear and enjoyed the ocean very much. He felt confident to venture into deeper waters. The man who tragically died, was swimming for exercise about 180 feet from the shore in the open ocean when he was attacked. Keep in mind that most people who visit Maui and enter the ocean stay within 50 feet of the shore. The location where he was swimming is called at Honokowai Point. The Honokowai river empties into the ocean here, so it can create murky water conditions, which are definitely something to avoid when swimming in the ocean.
When I'm with my kids I definitely don't go swimming in the open ocean, nor do I go very far from shore, so I do think that the specifics of the attack are important for us parents when dealing with the anxiety of sharks in the ocean near our babies! You can enjoy the ocean and minimize your risk!
If you follow the safety tips above and stay informed of the local conditions, you are unlikely to encounter an aggressive shark while swimming in Maui.
The most dangerous places for people to encounter sharks: Honokowai Point (West Maui), Makena Beach (South Maui). FYI I don’t swim at these beaches with my kids, irrespective of the shark incidents!
Honokowai point often has murky water and is not in a protected bay, it's definitely not on the list of best beaches to take your kids, so you likely won't be anywhere near this spot on your Maui vacation.
Makena Beach (also known as Big Beach) is absolutely beautiful to play on the sand and build sandcastles. The view of the island of Kaholawe is fantastic. I have even been lucky enough to see Dolphins playing from the shore at this beach, so magical. However, the shore break here is deadly and the waves are too powerful for kids. The ocean looks so appealing, but this beach is DANGEROUS and is not somewhere to take your family swimming in the ocean.
I hope this helps you to feel more informed about Hawaii Sharks and Hawaii shark attacks. If you're still feeling a bit nervous, that's ok! I think it's pretty normal to feel nervous about sharks after you read about a fatal shark attack. Perhaps it would be silly to not feel any apprehension!
If you didn't grow up around the ocean (like me) it takes time to become accustomed to marine life and really appreciate the ocean and all that lives within the underwater world. If the idea of shark attacks is too much, just play on the sand, dip your toe in the ocean, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and then swim at the pool. You have no one to answer to but yourself. Do what feels best for you and your family. If you do swim in the ocean, follow these ocean safety tips and put on some snorkel goggles so you can have a look at the beauty of the underwater world. Maybe you'll even get to hear the whales sing!
You could also consider a submarine tour, it’s a great way to observe the marine life in a submersible, without having to get wet! It’s an awesome adventure to add to your family vacation in Maui!
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