Discover the 7 Worst Shark Attacks in California History

There have been approximately 20-25 fatal shark attacks in California history over the last 200 years. Despite this, the shores of California are generally safer than most coastal areas. It still has its history, and there are always things to be wary of.

We are here to bring you some of the worst shark attacks in California history by recounting some of the most recent incidents. Additionally, we will describe some of the details of those events. A Great White Shark caused all of the attacks.

7. Los Angeles in 1989

There are few recorded shark attacks in Los Angeles, but this was one of the rarities.

There are not many shark attacks in Los Angeles. However, a rare occurrence occurred on January 26, 1986. Jeffrey Roy Stoddard and Tamara Allister decided to kayak in the coastal waters of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, they did not report back after being out in the water for a few hours. The authorities found Allister’s body and determined that it was a 17-foot Great White Shark that caused her death based on the bite wounds. Sadly, they never found Stoddard’s body. It is one of the worst shark attacks in California and the worst in Los Angeles.

6. Avila Beach in 2003

Great White Sharks hunt seals, and it is important to understand this if you are ever near seals in the water.

A woman was swimming with seals on August 19, 2003, when the attack happened. While in the water, she felt a tug and fell beneath the surface. The authorities attempted to save her, but she lost too much blood. In the end, it was a 12-foot gray pointer that was responsible for her death. It was a reminder of the danger of swimming with seals since sharks are their number one predator.

5. Kebesaliah Rock in 2004

There is a misconception that Great White Sharks do not attack underwater. Ultimately, they are still opportunistic predators, even under the depths.

There is a misconception that swimming underwater prevents you from being attacked. Unfortunately, that is not the case. A man sadly learned this lesson on August 15, 2004, when diving underwater in search of abalone shells. Unfortunately, the coast guards discovered his body three days after the alleged attack, and the bite marks pointed to a green pointer.

4. Fletcher Cove in 2008

When sharks attack, it often happens from directly beneath the surface, as their best strategy is to strike upward.

Sharks like to attack with a quick strike from directly below the water. Likewise, this attack at Fletcher Cove happened in this exact manner on April 25, 2008. A man was swimming in the cove when the shark rammed him from beneath and then dragged him below. Despite the best efforts of the coast guards to save him, the man died. It was one of the worst attacks in California’s history based on its quickness and unpredictability of it.

3. Santa Barbara in 2010

There have been 11 recorded Great White Shark attacks in Santa Barbara since 2000, including two fatal attacks in a 3-year stretch from 2010-2012.

A border was frolicking in the water on October 22, 2010, when he felt something clamp his leg. Then, he vanished under the water. His friend attempted to save him, but the wounds were too severe, and he died on the shores. Ultimately, the authorities determined a 12-foot Great White Shark caused the bites. It would, unfortunately, be the first of two fatal shark attacks in the same area in three years.

2. Santa Barbara in 2012

The second fatal shark attack in three years in the same beach town caused concern for a while.

Two years and one day from the last fatal shark attack, another one happened in Santa Barbara. This time, a man was surfing in the water when a shark clamped down on his upper torso. His friend attempted to save his life, but the wounds, much like two years prior, were too severe. Consequently, the Great White Shark bit through the surfboard and attacked the surfer. It was a 12-foot shark that was responsible, and this remains one of the worst shark attacks in California history.

1. Santa Cruz in 2020

This was a case of a man surfing very far from the shore, and it might have played a role in his fate.

Surfing far from the shore has its risks. Therefore, the unfortunate happened when a man was surfing 100 yards off the coast of Santa Cruz when a Great White Shark bit him and pulled him under. Similar to other cases, a friend attempted to save him, but he lost too much blood. It is one of the worst shark attacks in California and another sad example of a rare shark attack that can happen, especially if you are far from the shore.

Summary of the 7 Worst Shark Attacks in California History