The Outer Banks is known to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with its clear blue waters, white sand, divine waves and unique charm.
Visitors from all over come to experience its beauty but some are wary of dipping their toes into its sea.
Why?
One word: Sharks.
If you find yourself among those worried about adventuring into the waters of the Outer Banks, I’m here to ease your mind.
How Many Shark Attacks Happen in Outer Banks?
Shark attacks in the Outer Banks are not incidents that you will hear about often as they are thankfully scarce. The area has reported one to two incidents per year with the last one occurring in 2011 and only a few resulted in serious injury.
What Kind of Sharks Live/Migrate In Outer Banks?
The Outer Banks has a variety of sharks living and migrating through the area but the most common are the Atlantic Sharpnose, Backtip, Bonnethead, Bull and the occasional and daunting Great White.
The Atlantic Sharpnose is the most common in the area and is typically spotted in the fall and summer months. The adults reach roughly four feet in length and have a greenish-gray color adorned with several white spots and their foot-long pups are much lighter in color.
Blacktips can commonly be found in late spring and fall. You may occasionally spot one leaping out of the water chasing the schools of mullet and menhaden. They are on the larger side, reaching six to eight feet, and are distinguished by the black tips on the edge of each fin.
Bonnetheads are smaller members of the hammerhead family and can be distinguished by their smaller, rounded heads. This shark species does not exceed five feet in length and prefers to feed on crustaceans.
Bull Sharks are the apex predators of North Carolina and can be spotted in both brackish and freshwater. They are recognized by their wide bodies, small eyes and blunt noses. Bull Sharks take the title of apex predator due to their tendencies to take on large prey and this makes them the most dangerous to humans.
And then there is the renowned Great White. This shark, which takes the title of the largest predatory fish in the ocean, can be found year-round but most commonly in the winter and early spring months. Don’t fret too much, they typically stay far offshore but there’s always a chance one may find it’s way too close for comfort. They can reach 21 feet in length, have white underbellies and large black eyes.
What Months are Sharks Most Active in Outer Banks?
You are most likely to see the sharks of the Outer Banks from April through June as they are taking advantage of the booming food supplies before they begin their migratory patterns to their summer feeding grounds.
How to Protect Yourself From a Shark Attack in the Outer Banks
There are several things that you can do to significantly reduce your chances of having a run-in with a shark.
Avoid wearing shiny jewelry: Shiny objects such as jewelry can reflect off the water and resemble fish scales.
Stay in groups: Staying in a group will reduce your chances of a shark coming up to you as they are more likely to approach a lone creature.
Avoid the fish: Sharks like to chase the schools of fish that come through the waters during the day. If you see the fish start to jump, it would be wise to remove yourself from the area as a shark may be nearby.
Avoids piers and fishermen: Fishermen on the shore and the piers are practically begging the sharks to come to the shore with their bait. Avoid any area where fishermen are common because the sharks will learn they can get food from there and may mistake you for a midday snack.
Don’t swim during dawn or dusk: Dawn and dusk are common times for sharks to hunt and the visibility in the water is far less which can lead to a shark mistaking you for a fish.
What To Do If You Witness a Shark Attack in the Outer Banks
If you witness a shark attack keep the three Cs in mind: Stay calm, cool and collected. With a level head, you greatly increase the chances of helping the situation.
The first thing you should do is try your best to alert lifeguards and emergency services followed by warning other swimmers in the area. Once everyone is warned, if you can reach the victim, try your best to help them out of the water without putting yourself in harm’s way or engaging with the shark. If you have to, aim for the eyes and gills and push them away from the tip of their snouts.
With the victim safely out of the water, assess any injuries, apply pressure and make sure they are kept warm with items such as towels in case of shock.
The Bottom Line Shark Attacks in the Outer Banks
Shark attacks in the Outer Banks are extremely rare. Though you may occasionally spot one in the distance, the chances of you bumping into one are slim to none especially now that you know all of the tips. As long as you keep them in mind you will be all set to peacefully enjoy your trip to any of the beaches in the area and take in the breathtaking scenery the Outer Banks has to offer.
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