Shark Attacks in San Francisco (2025 Report)

San Francisco is well-known for its cold and murky ocean depths, teeming with sharks of all shapes and sizes.

A vast variety of shark species fill the waters surrounding the Bay Area but are still a rare sight when out at local breaks.

Sharks in this area tend to keep to themselves, as they have their sights set on seals and sea lions.

Human interaction with sharks is sporadic and shouldn’t elicit a fear of the ocean, especially in the San Francisco area. Nonetheless, sharks are still aggressive marine predators that every ocean-goer should be aware of when approaching an aquatic pursuit. 

How Many Shark Attacks Happen in San Francisco? 

Shark attacks are rather scarce in the San Francisco area. Over the past 100 years, there have only been around 25 attacks in the Bay area and only one resulted in a fatality.

This fatal shark encounter occurred in 1959 when an 18-year-old swimmer was mauled by a great white while going for an ocean swim at Baker Beach.

San Francisco is directly in the middle of what is known as the Red Triangle, a migration and breeding ground for great white sharks.

This means that maintaining a safe level of precaution is vital when approaching the San Francisco shoreline. However, fear of sharks should be quelled by the scarce nature of attacks throughout the bay area, giving a sense of peace to beach-goers. 

What Kinds of Sharks Live/ Migrate in San Francisco? 

There is a wide array of the types of sharks that fill the bay area, equating up to 18 different species. These include Great white, Leopard, Blue, Pacific Angel, and Basking sharks, just to name a few that patrol these ocean depths.

According to SF Bay Wildlife, the most common species found on San Francisco’s Pacific sea-board are the Pacific Angel Shark, Brown Smoothhound, and the Broadnose Sevengill.

These species are relatively non-aggressive, resulting in a low number of attacks throughout the area. Pacific Angel Sharks inhabit shallow coastal waters, fashioning a wide body with brown spots covering the cartilaginous skin of this saltwater fish.

The Brown Smoothhound is a grayish medium-sized shark that covers the sand-covered bay floor. The Broadnose Sevengill is aptly named, having seven gills and a wider nose, being the only shark in the bay that ocean-goers should keep a healthy distance from. 

What Months Are Sharks Most Active in San Francisco? 

When summer turns to fall sharks come home from their yearly vacation, arriving back on the coastline of San Francisco in search of food.

The sharks that call the San Francisco Bay their home are most active during September, October, and through the end of November.

These are the breeding and feeding months for these shark species with October being the peak month of this feeding frenzy, titled “Sharktober”. It is recommended to stay precautious whilst pursuing ocean activity during this period, as sharks will be on the prowl for their next meal.

Once the orange leaves of fall wilt into winter the sharks of San Francisco begin their migration away from the bay-area shoreline, giving local surfers a sense of comfort during the swell-heavy season. 

How to Protect Yourself From a Shark Attack in San Francisco? 

While shark attacks are a rarity along the California Coast, it is always good to remain prepared for the worst. A good rule of thumb is to stay around protected coastal areas with big groups of people on the beach and in the water.

Maintaining the knowledge that a lifeguard is sitting atop their tower with a birds-eye view of your ocean area will also keep you protected. In addition, remaining informed on shark feeding areas and seal breeding hotspots will keep you off a shark's meal-time menu.

Finally, staying up to date on aggressive shark sightings and bay-area advisories will place you in stark contrast from fish food. 

What To Do If You Witness a Shark Attack? 

In the event you spot a violent splash while out on the shores of San Francisco, recognizing this eruption of water as a shark attack, it is time to act with haste. It is recommended to immediately find land and separate yourself from the threat of becoming a second victim.

Then find the closest lifeguard, giving them all the details of what you witnessed and leading them to where the attack occurred.

Once this ocean assault subsides, reporting the incidents to local authorities will allow for area-wide advisories to be posted, warning residents of shark activity. When these safety procedures are followed properly they will be the deciding factor in saving a life. 

Conclusion: Shark Attacks in San Francisco

From the tip of Half-Moon bay to the Frigid shores of Point Reyes, sharks of all kinds patrol the murky depths of San Francisco’s Pacific sea-board.

While shark attacks remain scarce along the coast of California it is important to stay informed and be prepared for the worst the ocean has to offer.