The Florida Panhandle is a beautiful area with an ocean on either side: the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Along Highway 30A, which runs from Destin to Panama City, are white sand beaches, wildlife, and fantastic scenery. This protected area is where sea turtles lay their eggs and seabirds nest. This area is rightfully referred to as the Emerald Coast. It is truly spectacular and is home to many migrating birds. But that’s not all that calls the paradise home. Sharks from both oceans congregate in the waters along the Emerald Coast. Let’s discover why shark attacks are happening along the popular stretch of scenic Highway 30A.
Has the Emerald Coast Gone to the Sharks?
The Emerald Coast of Florida’s panhandle stretches past sugary sand beaches and beautiful greenish turquoise water down the coast. This section is popular because of its serene beauty. Over the last century, this section of beach has seen shark attacks, but they have been rare, occurring only once every three years or so.
Something changed in June 2024, when one week saw three people injured in two separate shark attacks happening in the 30A corridor, sparking concern and questions from the locals. The two attacks were only 90 minutes apart. Shark attacks worldwide are rare, considering how many of us get into the water (their home) with them and live to tell the tale. What was it that caused the sudden week-long spike in shark attacks? Were all three attacks done by the same or even the same type of shark?
Why are Shark Attacks Happening By Highway 30A?
The three attacks occurred on Walton Beach on June 7, 2024. The distance between the attacks was four miles overall. The first occurred at 1:15 pm on WaterSound Beach. A 45-year-old woman and her husband were swimming near the first sandbar when the woman was attacked. She lost the lower portion of her arm and had severe midsection and pelvic wounds.
At 2:55 pm, the second and third attacks occurred at Seacrest Beach. The victims, two teenage girls between 15 and 17 years old, were swimming with friends near the first sandbar in waist-deep water. Though no amputations took place, one girl received serious injuries on her upper leg and hand, while the other was bitten on the foot. These attacks were not fatal, though one did leave two victims with critical injuries.
Before these heartwrenching attacks, it was in June 2021 that the last person was bitten. A 14-year-old boy was swimming near a fishing line 120 feet from the beach when a shark bit him in the chest. He survived, but the 14-year-old girl bitten in 2005 did not. She was bitten roughly 250 feet from the shore while playing on a boogie board. The shark snatched her by the legs and pulled her under.
It’s possible that the same large shark was responsible for the three nearby attacks in 2023. Bull and tiger sharks are common in the area and are a bit more aggressive and territorial than most other sharks due to their high testosterone levels. The bulk of attacks, especially those fatal, are thanks to bull or tiger sharks, which, by the way, are in the same family. Also, during 2023, Florida accounted for a total of 16 unprovoked attacks, primarily taking place in Volusia County.
Types of Sharks Along Highway 30A
Like the biggest fish in the sea, most sharks, including the endangered whale shark, either pass Florida on their yearly migration or live there permanently. Some types of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico are docile, small, and lesser-known, like carpet or social nurse sharks. Plenty of big hitters call the 30A corridor area home like bull and tiger sharks.
The Biggest and the Smallest Sharks Near 30A
Atlantic sharpnose sharks are the most commonly seen near the shore. Though not super small, they grow to only about four feet long. Blacknose sharks also grow to only four feet long. Finetooth sharks are smaller sharks that prefer to spend their time in the warm shallow water of 30A. Another is the narrowfin smoothhound shark. These small sharks do not quite reach a maximum of three and a half feet long.
Then there’s a plethora of harmless carpet sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, whale sharks (in deeper water offshore), great white sharks passing through, several types of hammerhead sharks, mako sharks, thresher sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks. Though oceanic whitetip sharks are fierce pack hunters and quite aggressive, they stick to deeper water to hunt larger fish like tuna, for the most part. Bull sharks and tiger sharks have no problem getting their massive bodies around in the shallow water and tend to be the ones to most frequently attack.
When are Shark Attacks the Most Prevelant Along 30A?
No matter what time you arrive in the panhandle of Florida, you won’t be disappointed. However, you might want to be a bit more cautious if channeling your inner mermaid in June while on one of the beaches along 30A. June is THE month for shark sightings and attacks.
Typically, these beaches slope slowly out to the deep ocean, so you might believe you’re perfectly safe when walking out in knee or waist-deep clear warm water. Don’t be naive; the significant attacks in the area and others nearby occurred no deeper than waist-deep water. Some may feel safe, walk out alone during low tide, and find that the water rises quicker than they can move to return to the beach. Of course, shark attacks are extremely rare, even in places boasting tons of sharks. They think you taste gross, anyway.
