Located in northwest Florida is the city of Destin. It’s known for its fishing, crystal clear waters and clean white sand making it a popular tourist destination during the summer months.
But with it being in Florida some people may assume that they should expect to see a few sharks during their visit.
This is not the case whatsoever.
In terms of sharks, Destin falls extremely short.
How Many Shark Attacks Happen in Destin?
If you are taking a trip to Destin and planning on going to the beach for a swim, you can go with utter peace of mind.
There have been four recorded shark attacks since 1882 with the most recent happening in 1882 and none of the attacks were fatal. It is uncommon to even spot one offshore. It is important to note how rare this is for a Florida beach.
What Kind of Sharks Live/Migrate In Destin?
Sharks in Destin are not common because it is located further north but there are still of course a few species in the area such as blacktips, lemon sharks and nurse sharks.
Blacktip Sharks: Blacktips are known for their speed and ability to propel themselves out of the water for prey. They range from four to seven feet in length and are found near shallow reefs and flats.
Lemon Sharks: Similar to blacktips, lemon sharks are commonly spotted near shallow reefs and flats. They range from four to seven feet in length and can weigh up to 500 pounds. This is a typically calm species but they are capable of sudden bursts of aggression and speed.
Nurse Sharks: Nurse sharks are extremely docile and slow. You may find them resting on the ocean floor in groups. However, it should be noted that, if threatened, they have powerful and strong jaws that could inflict a good bit of damage.
What Months are Sharks Most Active in Destin?
If you were to see or run into a shark in Destin it would most likely be during the summer months when the water has warmed, the fish are thriving and more people are in the waters.
How to Protect Yourself From a Shark Attack in Destin
Despite Destin being considered a “safe spot” for avoiding sharks, you should still try to offset the chances even more by following a few safety tips.
Avoid bright-colored beach attire: It is common to hear that you should avoid wearing shiny things such as jewelry into the water because it resembles fish scales but brightly colored swimwear should also be avoided. Sharks see contrast very well and this will pique their curiosity and make you more of a target in comparison to darker apparel.
Don’t swim during dawn or dusk: It is best to avoid swimming during dawn and dusk hours because this is when sharks are the most active and hunting. These are also times when visibility is the most low and it can be easy for sharks to mistake you for prey.
Avoid schools of fish: Rule of thumb: If the fish are jumping the sharks are hunting. If you are swimming and notice a school of fish starting to jump out of the water to flee the scene then to avoid any shark encounter you should remove yourself from the area as well for a bit until the waters calm back down.
Avoid excess splashing: A shark can mistake splashing for prey so it is best to avoid any unnecessary splashing while in the ocean.
Swim in groups: Swimming in groups will significantly reduce your chances of being singled out by a shark. Sharks often attack those who are alone and being alone will make it harder for you to be reached if something does happen.
What To Do If You Witness a Shark Attack in Destin
If you witness a shark attack the first thing you need to do is remove yourself from the water, alert others in the water and alert any lifeguards and emergency services. When doing so it is essential to remain calm not only for you and others but for the victim.
Once lifeguards or emergency services have removed the victim from the water assess any injuries and apply pressure to them. You should also try to keep the victim warm with a nearby towel or blanket as they may be experiencing shock.
If you are in the water during the attack, nearby and are the only person able to help the victim out of the water, locate the shark and keep your eyes on it at all times. If it comes close while you are helping the victim to shore the best places to strike it are the snout, gills and eyes.
Shark Attacks in Destin
It is safe to say that a beach trip to Destin, Florida is one of the best places to go if you are wary of sharks. The area has little to no sightings and an incident hasn’t occurred since 1882. You should still keep the mentioned tips in mind just in case but Destin is certainly not a place to fear when it comes to sharks.