The Most Dangerous, Shark-Infested Beach In The Caribbean
The beautiful Bahamas should be on every traveler's bucket list. Its powdery sand beaches are heavenly, and the array of aquatic adventures that await is neverending. However, there is one tourist beach visitors should avoid swimming at, and that is West End on Grand Bahama Island. The historic town has a checkered past involving piracy, prohibition, and more. It's also a well-known fishing spot.
However, all of that is often overshadowed by the gorgeous beaches' deadly secret: West End is home to various shark species, including Tiger sharks, known for their frequent attacks on humans. For this reason, it's often referred to as one of the most dangerous beaches in the world, as well as the Caribbean. In recent times, West End has been the site of shark-related deaths and accidents.
In May 2023, a tourist in West End was bitten on the right hand by a shark. The individual, who was fishing at the time of the incident, survived their injuries. In November of that year, a 47-year-old German tourist diving in West End was attacked by a tiger shark. Tragically, she was never seen again. Although shark attacks as a whole are infrequent, you can never be too careful, especially if you're traveling to the Bahamas.
Why are there so many shark attacks in the Bahamas and West End?
Sharks are protected animals in the Bahamas. As such, they are plentiful on the islands. Case in point: Tiger Beach in West End, which is considered one of the best places for shark encounters. Tiger Beach is on Little Bahama Bank, a shallow limestone formation that provides optimal environmental conditions for sharks to thrive in. It's publicized as a "safe" spot for shark diving, but things have turned deadly. In 2014, Dr. John Petty from Texas disappeared while shark diving in Tiger Beach. Although his body was never recovered, it's believed a shark killed him.
According to the International Shark Attack File, the Bahamas has one of the world's highest rates of shark attacks. At the time of this publication, the database states that 33 unprovoked shark attacks have occurred in the islands since 1749. In fact, in the years following Petty's death, there have been several shark-related fatalities in the Bahamas. Notably, a tourist died in December 2023 when she was bitten by a shark while paddleboarding.
Speaking to the AP, Gavin Naylor, program director of the International Shark Attack File in Florida, blamed shark tourism in the Bahamas for shark-related fatalities. "The sharks get acclimated, and the animals are a little bit less cautious than they otherwise might be," he told the publication. "Usually, it's an accidental bite. They think it's something else. Once in a while, they'll actually single out people, and it's very intentional."
Keep out of harm's way with these shark safety tips
If you're planning a trip to the Bahamas and West End, here's what you need to know to stay safe from sharks. If you see a shark in the water, remain calm and refrain from drawing attention to yourself. If the shark circles you, make eye contact with the animal. This will make you appear as a threat and ultimately aid your escape. Shark expert Richard Peirce explained to CNN, "You must try and keep the animal in sight and very slowly and gently try and swim backwards and get into shallow water. Again, you've got to be careful – large sharks can attack in very shallow depths."
This also applies if you plan to participate in a Tiger Beach diving trip. In an interview with Newsweek, experienced shark diver Bryan Leist stated that eye contact with the sharks is vital. If not, you risk the shark sneaking up on you. Leist also recommended divers to keep their movements minimal.
Some other words of advice if you're a beachgoer: Don't swim alone; this puts you in a vulnerable position. Likewise, you are more likely to encounter a shark at dawn or night, so refrain from swimming during these times. Swimming in dark and cloudy water should also be avoided; a shark could think you are prey and bite you.