St. Maarten Shark Attacks: Statistics & Safety Tips In 2025

St. Maarten shark attacks statistics compared in 2025

St. Maarten, like many Caribbean destinations, occasionally experiences shark encounters, but incidents are extremely rare. Despite millions of visitors engaging in ocean activities, including shark diving, the island has only recorded three confirmed shark attacks, placing it among the safest Caribbean destinations.

While some shark species in St. Maarten's waters have a reputation for aggression, understanding shark behavior helps enhance safety. Notably, the nearby islands of Anguilla, Saba, St. Barts, and St. Eustatius have never had a recorded shark attack.

Historically, shark attacks in the Caribbean are minimal, with only around 71 reported since the 1700s (0.2 per year), compared to nearly 1,600 in the U.S. (5 per year). Statistically, the United States is 25 times more dangerous for shark encounters. In this article, we explore shark activity in St. Maarten, safety tips, and what to do in the unlikely event of an attack in 2025.

St. Maarten shark attacks: 3 incidents in 20 years

The list of St. Maarten shark attacks is short and one of them was not even nearby but the distress call was answered by the St. Maarten coast guard, so it counts as a local shark incident. The most recent shark attack in St. Maarten happened in 2020 while the first one on record in 2005.

2005: First ever unprovoked shark attack in St. Maarten

A Buffalo couple's Caribbean vacation ended abruptly when James Bumpers was attacked by a shark near the SunTerra Royal Palm Resort (now called Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten) in Simpson Bay on October 25, 2005. Wading in four feet of water, James felt a sudden impact on his leg and saw a fish-like figure swim away.

"When I hit the shoreline, I saw the leg was split open. It was down to the bone." - said James after the shark attack.

It was his local doctors in St. Martin who concluded the bite was from a shark but the species was not specified. "It could have been a lot worse than this so I thank the lord for that. You know I thank him every time I look at it." - said James.

2014: Shark attack offshore of St. Maarten

Technically, this does not even count as a St. Maarten / St. Martin shark attack as it happened in the open sea, 20 miles from St. Maarten on June 27, 2014.

Victor Mooney, an American rower honoring his late brother, was completing a 3,000-mile journey from Africa to the British Virgin Islands when his rowboat was punctured by an oceanic whitetip shark near St. Martin. His boat had to be towed to the island while Victor Mooney was on a search and rescue boat. He suffered no injuries from the shark attack but lost 80 pounds during the trip.

2020: First and only fatal shark attack in St. Martin

A French woman aged 39 has died of her injuries after she was fatally attacked by a tiger shark while bathing off Orient Beach on the French side of St. Maarten / St. Martin. She was swimming 150 meters (500 feet) off the famous beach, facing the Atlantic Ocean.

A boat captain heard her cries and went for the rescue finding her unconscious body in the water with her leg torn off. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her wounds. The event prompted local authorities to ban bathing and watersports for 48 hours.

5 Most common shark species in St. Maarten waters

We often get the question: Are there sharks in St. Maarten? - The answer is absolutely yes, sharks are everywhere and we would have a huge problem if they were not. There are 9 major shark species around St. Maarten but most of them are rarely seen. The 5 most common sharks in St. Maarten are Caribbean reef shark, bull shark, tiger shark, nurse shark and lemon shark.

Caribbean reef shark

Caribbean reef sharks are common in St. Maarten and all over the western Atlantic Ocean. They are heavily fished and listed as endangered. They are site faithful, often spending their lives at one reef, and are important to tourism in places like The Bahamas, Belize, and Honduras. Their diet includes large bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and they inhabit shallow waters but can dive over 300 meters.

Nurse shark

Nurse sharks in St. Maarten are nocturnal and often rest in groups during the day, becoming less active in cold conditions. They have a flattened body, broad head with barbels, and small serrated teeth for crushing hard-shelled prey. They are typically docile and non-migratory, but nurse sharks can bite in self-defense.

Bull shark

The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a powerful apex predator known for its aggressive behavior and ability to thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Frequently found in shallow, murky waters, bull sharks have been involved in approximately 119 unprovoked attacks on humans worldwide, 26 of which were fatal, making them one of the most dangerous shark species to humans.

Lemon shark

St. Maarten is also home to lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) is known for its yellow-brown color and social behavior, often forming groups called "schools" or "shivers." These nocturnal hunters primarily feed on bony fish and crustaceans and are generally docile, with only about 10 unprovoked attacks on humans recorded, none of which have been fatal.

Tiger shark

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is an apex predator known for its distinctive striped appearance and indiscriminate diet, earning it the nickname "garbage can of the sea." Found in various marine environments, tiger sharks are highly dangerous, having been involved in 142 unprovoked attacks on humans since 1580, with 39 of these being fatal. Unlike many other sharks, tiger sharks often do not retreat after attacking humans. The only fatal shark attack in St. Maarten was probably by a tiger shark.

Other shark species in the Caribbean

The Caribbean hosts a wide variety of shark species, from the docile Whale Shark to the more formidable Bull and Tiger Sharks. These species inhabit diverse marine environments, contributing to the ecosystem and drawing the interest of marine enthusiasts. Below is a list of sharks found in the Caribbean.

10 tips to stay safe from sharks

1. Swim in groups: Sharks are less likely to approach groups of people. Swimming with others can minimize the risk of an encounter.
2. Avoid peak feeding times: Sharks are most active during dawn and dusk. Refrain from swimming during these periods.
3. Don't swim at night: Sharks are more active after dark, and visibility is reduced, making it harder to get help in an emergency.
4. Stay away from fishing areas: Locations where fish are cleaned or discarded can attract sharks. Avoid swimming in these areas.
5. Do not enter the water with open wounds: Sharks can detect blood from afar. If you have cuts or open wounds, it's safer to stay out of the water.
6. Be cautious with jewelry: Reflective jewelry can resemble fish scales, attracting sharks. Leave your jewelry on the shore.
7. Avoid wearing yellow: Divers and surfers refer to yellow as "Yum Yum Yellow" due to its high visibility.
8. Watch for jumping fish: Groups of small fish jumping out of the water may indicate a predator, such as a barracuda, tuna, or shark, is nearby.
9. Don't swim in murky water: Sharks might mistake you for prey in unclear water.
10. Avoid frantic splashing: Splashing can attract sharks. When snorkeling, keep your fins underwater and avoid hitting the surface.

What to do in a shark attack

If you find yourself in a shark attack while in St. Maarten, here are the steps to follow:

• Stay calm and maintain eye contact: Try to stay as calm as possible. Sharks often approach out of curiosity. Keep your eyes on the shark and try to maintain eye contact. Sharks may be less likely to attack if they see that you are aware of them.
• Do not splash or panic: Avoid making frantic movements and splashing in the water. This can attract more attention from the shark and potentially provoke an attack.
• Defend yourself: If the shark approaches aggressively, defend yourself by targeting the shark’s most sensitive areas: the eyes, gills, and snout. Use any object you have (camera, spear, snorkel, etc.) or your fists to jab or hit these areas.
• Slowly back away: If the shark seems to lose interest or you have deterred it, slowly back away towards the shore or a boat. Do not turn your back on the shark while retreating.
• Get out of the water: If possible, get out of the water as calmly and quickly as possible. Find a safe place such as a boat or the shore.
• Signal for help: If you are injured or need assistance, signal for help once you are out of immediate danger. Get medical attention as soon as possible if you have been bitten.

Remember, shark attacks are rare, but knowing these steps can help you survive a shark attack.

Conservation and education: The key to safety for both sharks and humans

Shark conservation and education play crucial roles in ensuring fewer shark attacks in St. Maarten through the following means:

1. Understanding shark behavior: Conservation efforts often include research on shark behavior, migration patterns, and feeding habits. This knowledge helps predict where sharks are likely to be and when, enabling better management of human activities in those areas.
2. Public awareness campaigns: Education programs inform the public about shark behavior and how to avoid encounters. This includes understanding the importance of not swimming in shark-prone areas at certain times and recognizing behaviors that might attract sharks.
3. Promoting safe practices: Education initiatives teach safe practices, such as swimming in groups, avoiding shiny jewelry, and not swimming at dawn or dusk. These practices reduce the likelihood of shark encounters.
4. Habitat protection: Conservation efforts aim to protect shark habitats and ensure they have enough natural prey. Healthy ecosystems reduce the chances of sharks moving into areas frequented by humans in search of food.
5. Monitoring and early warning systems: Conservation programs often involve tagging and tracking sharks. This data can be used to develop early warning systems to alert beachgoers and swimmers when sharks are nearby.
6. Reducing human impact: Efforts to reduce overfishing and protect marine environments help maintain balanced ecosystems. A well-balanced ecosystem ensures that sharks have sufficient natural prey, reducing the likelihood of them coming into contact with humans.
7. Encouraging respect and coexistence: Education fosters respect for sharks and their role in the marine ecosystem. Understanding that sharks are not mindless killers but important predators helps reduce irrational fear and promotes coexistence.

By integrating conservation with education, these efforts work together to create safer environments for both sharks and humans. If you want to know how you can participate, you can contact the St. Maarten Nature Foundation which continuously conducts shark research and awareness programs.