Small Atlantic sharpnose, Bonnethead, Black Tip, and Lemon Sharks roam the waters of Hilton Head Island hunting for fish. They are generally disinterested in people and only a handful of people of the 3 million visitors to Hilton Head Island receive non-life threatening bites from unfortunate incidents in which a shark thought of biting a fish. Statistically, your chances as a pedestrian getting struck by a car are higher than getting bitten by a shark on Hilton Head Island.
To minimize risk, swimmers should avoid deeper areas where fish are jumping out of the water or where pelicans are “dive-bombing” into the water. Avoiding swimming near crab pots or shrimp boats that occasionally come close to shore. Lifeguards from Shore Beach Service are trained to monitor the water for sharks and provide medical care in the event of an attack.
Sharks are vital to our aquatic ecosystem, and should be respected and protected for their presence.
