Great white sharks are one of the most recognizable and famous shark species that dwell in the ocean. For centuries, they’ve captivated people through their perfect design. Today, great white sharks are becoming more prevalent on the coast of American beaches due to conservation efforts and a rise in prey population. Here are some of the beaches with the biggest white population.
San Onofre State Beach
Sanofre State Beach in California is a popular destination for beachgoers and surfers alike. The coast has a growing seal population, which attracts great white sharks that primarily feed on them. Shark attacks are a rarity on any coast, but the chance is always a possibility with a rising shark population.
Great Point Beach
Great Point Beach in Nantucket has a growing great white shark population because of nearby seal colonies. The population of these sharks has only risen in recent years, leading local authorities to warn local beachgoers of a possibility of running into the animals.
Crane Beach
Crane Beach in Ipswich is another beach in the U.S. that has regular great white shark populations. There were temporary swimming bans in September 2024 when a shark was spotted just around 7 feet from the shore. This shows that the population is only growing more bold.
Coast Guard Beach
Coast Guard Beach, located in Cape Cod, has many great white shark sightings during peak summer seasons. It is a popular destination for beachgoers, which makes the sightings of great whites less than a hundred yards from the shore all the more concerning. Beachgoers must respect the animals and always be cautious when going into the water.
South Beach
South Beach in Martha’s Vineyard has a population of seals close to the shore which makes prime hunting ground for great sharks between July and August, when beaches are full of people. In 2022, there were several sightings of the animals just 10 yards from the shore.
Chatham Harbor
Chatham in Cape Cod is another location with many great whites due to the presence of seals during the summer months. The sharks may patrol close to the shore as they hunt and look for seals to prey on. Beachgoers should be cautious when going in.
Monomoy Island
Monomoy Island may be uninhabited, but its beaches have a significant white population due to a population of harbor and grey seals living on the island in the absence of human encroachment. Since there are no beachgoers, there should be no incidents or concerns about the rising population of sharks here.
Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach located on Long Island has seen more and more great white sightings lately. With the water in the area getting warmer due to climate change, they have moved closer to the beaches in New York.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is another location in New York that has seen an increased great white population. Drones have been used to monitor the great white population and where they roam during the summer months. In the past, when many great whites are sighted, the beach has been temporarily closed.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach in Virginia is close to important great white shark migratory routes. This means that the occasional sighting is relatively normaly, and they are seen in bigger numbers in summer when they migrate north towards the Atlantic coast.
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks are one of the few beaches that see increased shark activity in winter months due to great whites migrating south to warmer waters in the Southern Hemisphere. Both juveniles and mature sharks can be spotted fairly regularly.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is a popular tourist destination that attracts many beachgoers. Great white sharks can be seen during the winter, like in the Outer Banks when they migrate. Juvenile great whites are particularly common sightings off the coast.
