Sharks in Myrtle Beach: Types and How Often They Are Seen

Located in Horry County on South Carolina‘s east coast, Myrtle Beach offers 60 miles of shoreline granting access to the Atlantic Ocean. Myrtle Beach is a popular tourist destination, not just for its beautiful beaches, but for its celebrity-designed golf courses and family-friendly attractions along the beachfront boardwalks.

Around 19 million people visit Myrtle Beach every year. Whether they know it or not, locals and tourists share the water with a variety of marine life, including sharks. A few common shark species make their home in the waters near this popular tourist destination. Here are the types to watch out for and how frequently they appear.

Shark Season in Myrtle Beach

While sharks do make their home in the waters along Myrtle Beach, fatal attacks are rare. According to MyrtleBeach.com, in North Myrtle Beach the continental shelf runs about 50 miles offshore. This puts the estuaries where sharks gather much farther away from places where people gather than in locations such as Florida.

Additionally, there hasn’t been a fatal shark attack on Myrtle Beaches since 1852. Over the past century, only about 50 shark attacks total have been recorded. Sharks are most active around Myrtle Beach between May and October. In 2019, the odds of receiving a shark bite on Myrtle Beach were roughly 1 in 4 million.

Incidents

Though shark attacks near Myrtle Beach are rare, a few non-fatal incidents have occurred in the 21st century. One incident reportedly occurred in June 2021 at the Pirate Family Campground area of Myrtle Beach. A teenage boy received nonfatal wounds from a shark.

In August 2022, NBC News reported two Myrtle Beach shark bite incidents on the same day. Police stated that the first victim suffered a serious forearm injury and a less severe bite to the leg.

The second attack occurred when a woman was standing in waist-deep water and a shark bit her on the arm. Though she needed hundreds of stitches, the woman was expected to recover.

Types of Sharks in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach offers visitors 60 miles of coastal access to the Atlantic Ocean. Dozens of species of shark make their homes in these waters, though they typically prefer to leave humans alone. Here are some of the most common types of sharks that frequent Myrtle Beach.

Great White Sharks

Great whites, bull sharks, and tiger sharks make up the majority of attacks on humans. Great white sharks are known as the most aggressive species worldwide. These creatures are notable for their large size, with some specimens measuring up to 19 feet in length.

In July 2023, a great white shark measuring 11 feet, 8 inches, and weighing 883 pounds appeared in Long Bay near Myrtle Beach, according to WJCL 22. The impressive specimen, named Freya, was first tagged in March 2021.

Bull Sharks

Bull sharks are one of the most aggressive species found in the waters along Myrtle Beach. They can be identified by their stout grey bodies and white bellies.

Bull sharks do not naturally prey on humans, but they are aggressive hunters that may mistake humans for prey. This species also tends to inhabit shallow waters and can even tolerate freshwater environments for a time.

Tiger Sharks

Along with bull sharks, tiger sharks make up the majority of shark attacks in Myrtle Beach. Tiger sharks are a large species that also commonly inhabit areas where humans may swim or surf. This species has a reputation for eating all manner of prey and objects, including garbage and debris left behind by humans.

In 1964 a man named Walter Maxwell caught a record-breaking tiger shark off a North Myrtle Beach pier. According to Grand Strand Magazine, Maxwell fought with the creature for five hours before finally reeling it in next to the pier, where his friends secured it with a gaff and heavy rope. The tiger shark weighed in at 1,780 pounds and measured 13 feet, 10.5 inches long.

Spinner Sharks

Spinner sharks are another common species that inhabit coastal waters near Myrtle Beach. This species has smaller teeth and feed on small fish. Due to this, spinner sharks aren’t aggressive toward humans, though bites have occasionally occurred.

Spinner sharks are fast swimmers with sleek bodies and long pointed snouts. They get their name from their habit of leaping out of the water and rotating several times in the air. Video footage shows an incident of a spinner shark surprising a surfer in the waters near Myrtle Beach. Thankfully the surfer made it back to shore safely.

Blacktip Sharks

Like spinner sharks, blacktip reef sharks do not pose much of a threat to humans. According to American Oceans, these creatures are shy around humans. On the few occasions when they have attacked humans, it’s usually from humans invading their space.

Blacktip sharks may encounter humans along Myrtle Beach. As these creatures migrate they tend to inhabit shallow waters near beaches. In some instances, blacktip sharks may mistake a human hand or foot for a fish when traveling in cloudy water.

How Common Are Sharks Attacks?

While there are certainly sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, a fatal attack is hardly common in the United States. Shark sitings are far more common than actual attacks or fatalities.

In fact, a theory reported on by TODAY Magazine proposes that sharks only bit people because they confuse them for their typical prey. This is why experts recommend avoiding swimming where a shark might be hunting.

In the United States, a number of things are more fatal than a shark. A few examples include firework accidents, being crushed by vending machines, and lightning strikes.

Shark Safety

Shark attacks aren’t a major concern for beachgoers as they are pretty rare. However, there are safety some tips that visitors to Myrtle Beach should adhere to in order to avoid dangerous encounters with sharks.

As we’ve discussed, many researchers believe that shark attacks often happen due to sharks mistaking humans for their typical prey. For this reason, humans should stay away from the murky water. They should also avoid swimming near a shark’s usual prey, such as large groups of fish or seals.

Other shark hotspots that should be avoided are steep drop-offs, the areas between sandbars, and near piers where fishermen may chum the water. Swimmers should also avoid entering the water after dark when sharks are most active. Finally, it’s best to swim in groups, as sharks are more likely to attack a lone individual.

What to Do If a Shark Attacks

Of course, seeing a shark while swimming can be a terrifying experience. If this happens you need to quickly get out of the water. However, it’s important to avoid splashing. Swim calmly and smoothly toward the shore.

Some sources recommend maintaining eye contact with the shark while you swim away, as these creatures typically prefer to attack by surprise.

“Sharks are ambush predators,” Richard Peirce, an author, shark expert, and former chair of the UK-based Shark Trust and Shark Conservation Society told CNN Travel. “If you’re turning around and facing it the whole time while it circles you, it’s not going to be half as comfortable as if it’s able to sneak up from behind.”

Finally, if a shark attacks or attempts to bite you, experts recommend fighting back. Hit the shark in its weakest spots like the eyes, nose, and gills.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Two Edged Studios LLC/Shutterstock.com