The state of New York is undoubtedly an underrated surf spot for the Northeastern United States.
There are hidden destinations all along the coastlines fit for surfers of most any skill level.
However, waters here tend to be better known for non-surfing activities like swimming and boating.
Every summer, people from all over the country -- mainly New England -- travel to places like Montauk, the Hamptons, and Fire Island to enjoy the Atlantic as it starts to warm up for the season.
And while the ocean in NY is pretty empty when it comes to large wildlife, beach goers are still cautioned about the shark population that has made pit stops in the past on their way up to Massachusetts.
How Many Shark Attacks Happen in New York?
Shark attacks in New York are few and far between, but there have been 20 in the past century, the most recent just last year.
What biologists are the most concerned with though is that nearly half of those 20 occurred within just the last couple years.
In 2022 and 2023 alone, there were more shark attacks reported than in all of nearly 200 years before.
In other destinations such as Cape Cod, the shark populations have risen immensely in the past few decades.
This is due to the passing of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which is meant to protect specific sea mammals from disappearing from their ecosystems.
Before this, commercial fishermen were responsible for regulating sharks’ main source of food - gray seals.
What was once a dwindling species now has a count so high in the Northeast that they can be spotted by satellite imaging.
What Kind of Sharks Live / Migrate to New York?
The types of sharks that do visit New York are diverse in both size and friendliness.
There have been hammerheads, sand tigers, shortfin makos, threshers, duskies, baskings, great whites, and blue sharks. The south shores of Long Island in particular act as a nursery for the more dangerous species.
What Months are Sharks the Most Active in New York?
Many of the sharks listed above have the same migration route and schedule, making their way up North from the Gulf of Mexico once summer rolls around.
They do this to stay in their preferred water temperatures when the oceans around Florida get too hot.
Because the North Atlantic is far too cold for them come fall through the end of spring, these predators will be the most active during May-October.
All sharks are known to feed at dawn, dusk, and nighttime, so within those hours of the day, guests will want to be extra cautious.
How to Protect Yourself From a Shark Attack in New York
If you’re worried about getting bit while you’re visiting New York, here are some precautions you can take to lower your chances of being mistaken for a seal:
Take off Anything Shiny
Whether it’s a sequence swim suit or a glistening silver bracelet, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything that reflects light.
This is because the shimmer that is created when the sun bounces off such objects is similar to the shimmer that is created when the sun bounces off fish scales, which sharks love to hunt.
Stay Together
You may be thinking we’re going in the direction of, “I don’t have to swim faster than a shark, I just have to swim faster than a friend” -- and while this isn’t totally inaccurate, being in a big group can actually prevent a shark from coming over all together.
Especially if you’re close together, sharks will see your crew as one unit, and be too frightened to come sniffing.
No Pets in the Water
We’re not totally sure what other pet you’d bring to the beach aside a dog, but regardless, it’s best to keep furry friends out of the ocean if there have been recent sightings.
The way that dogs swim is unfamiliar to sharks, so if they spot one, there’s no question they’ll want to go check out what foreign creature has just entered their home.
Keep Out After Sunset
Like we said earlier, sharks mainly feed anytime the sun is down.
So as thrilling as night swimming can be, there’s a good reason people get a little freaked when they can’t see their hand 5 inches below the surface.
What to Do if You Witness a Shark Attack in New York
In most emergency scenarios, remaining calm and calling 911 are two of the first steps to take.
And while the ladder is important, causing widespread panic will actually get everyone out of the water, and safe on the sand much faster.
Once you’re out, alert a lifeguard and make the 911 call.
Shark Attacks in New York
While the idea of sharks can be terrifying, avoiding an attack in New York isn’t hard if you’re careful.
Following the steps above, paying attention to signage, and keeping an ear out for recent sightings are all ways to ensure you have an enjoyable, bite-free visit to NY.
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