The crystal clear waters and white sand beaches of the Bahamas are world-renowned for their beauty. But could there be great white sharks lurking below the surface? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: While great white sightings around the Bahamas are extremely rare, a few have been documented over the years. The conditions are generally not ideal for these sharks.
A Brief History of Great White Sightings in the Bahamas
The Andros Island Incident
One of the most dramatic great white shark encounters in the Bahamas occurred in 2007 off Andros Island. Local fisherman Anvar Watson was bitten on the leg by what experts believe was a 15-foot great white shark.
Fellow fishermen rushed Watson to shore, where he received over 100 stitches on his badly injured leg. While shark bites are rare in the Bahamas, this served as a sobering reminder that large sharks do indeed inhabit Bahamian waters.
Other Anecdotal Sightings Over the Years
In addition to Watson’s frightening attack, there have been sporadic sightings of great whites around the Bahamas over the years. In 2015, American scientists tagged a 14-foot mature female great white near Tiger Beach off Grand Bahama.
She was tracked for several days prowling the pristine coral reefs in search of food. Most sightings seem to occur off the eastern coasts of Grand Bahama, the Abacos, Eleuthera and Andros Islands – areas frequented by seal colonies and migratory prey.
While not common, local dive operators and tourists occasional capture great whites on film near assertion aggregations sites. In 2019, a viral video showed a 15-foot shark ambushing a slow-moving sea turtle near Bimini, startling nearby snorkelers.
While great white populations are declining globally, it’s clear the Bahamas still serves as a seasonal hunting ground for these mysterious apex predators.
Why the Bahamas Are Not Prime Great White Habitat
The Water Temperature is Too Warm
Great white sharks prefer cooler waters, typically around 55-75°F. However, the average water temperature in the Bahamas ranges from 78-84°F. This warm tropical climate is less suitable for great whites, who favor temperate habitats like the California coast.
The warmer Bahamian waters contain less oxygen which great whites depend on. Their metabolisms function optimally in cool, oxygen-rich environments. While great whites can tolerate warm water for short periods, they do not establish breeding populations in the Bahamas due to the consistently high temperatures.
Lack of Natural Prey Sources
Great whites are apex predators that feed on sea lions, seals, fish, and whale carcasses. However, such prey is scarce in the Bahamas. The islands lack substantial pinniped colonies, which are a primary food source for great whites.
Their fish fauna is also dominated by fast-moving species like tuna, which great whites rarely feed on. With minimal natural prey availability, the Bahamian environment cannot sustain great white populations.
Occasional stray sharks may wander through while migrating, but would soon move on to more optimal hunting grounds. While great whites have been spotted near the Bahamas, it is unlikely they maintain breeding colonies or reside in the area long-term.
Exceptions: When Do Great Whites Venture to the Bahamas?
Cold Water Upwellings
Great white sharks prefer cold water temperatures, typically staying in oceans with surface temperatures below 75°F (24°C). However, there are rare instances when the giants of the deep make their way to warmer Bahamian waters due to cold water upwellings.
These upwellings occur when deep, frigid water from the ocean depths rises to the surface.
For example, the Tongue of the Ocean is an area between Andros Island and New Providence Island where periodic cold water upwellings happen. During these events, temperatures can plunge from the usual 84°F (29°C) down to 46°F (8°C) – cold enough for great white sharks to venture into the area while chasing prey.
Sightings peak in late winter/early spring when the upwellings are strongest.
Migrating Through Deep Ocean Waters
Great whites are known to make long migrations, traveling over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) annually. While they tend to stick to routes with suitable water temperatures, mature females in particular have been tracked veering into the Bahamas during their voyages.
Researchers theorize these large sharks stay down in the cold abyssal waters, sometimes swimming more than 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) below the surface as they pass by the islands. Since the deep ocean temperatures can be as cold as 37°F (3°C), the conditions allow them to migrate through areas they’d normally avoid.
There have been a few reports by research vessels and amateur divers spotting great whites navigating well offshore. But sightings remain extraordinarily rare – perhaps only a wayward individual every few years.
The giants might pop up near the Berry Islands, Bimini, or Grand Bahama if they temporarily venture into shallower water.
The Chances of Encountering One as a Tourist
The chances of encountering a great white shark while visiting the Bahamas as a tourist are extremely low. The Bahamas primarily consist of shallow, sandy beaches and coral reef ecosystems that do not provide ideal habitat for these large predators.
However, there have been occasional sightings and interactions reported over the years.
Sightings are Rare But Do Occur
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), there have only been two confirmed great white shark attacks in the Bahamas since 1830. Both were bites to swimmers in deep water channels between islands rather than near popular tourist beaches.
The sharks likely mistook splashing and movements for natural prey in the deeper waters.
In December 2020, tourists witnessed two great whites feeding on a dead sperm whale off the coast of the Bahamas. Sightings like these are incredibly rare in the islands. Most documented encounters have occurred in deeper waters offshore rather than sandy nearshore areas.
Habitat and Migratory Patterns Don’t Favor Coastal Interactions
The chances of running into a great white as a beachgoing tourist in the Bahamas are extremely slim. These sharks tend to inhabit deeper waters along continental shelves and rarely venture into the shallow coastal habitat that makes up most of the Bahamas.
There is also no evidence that great whites migrate through or breed in Bahamian waters regularly. The warmer and calmer shallows of the islands simply do not suit the natural history and preferences of these huge predators.
| Recorded great white shark attacks in the Bahamas since 1830 | 2 |
| Percentage of global great white attacks that occurred in the Bahamas | 0.2% |
| Documented great white sightings in Bahamian waters 2020-2024 | 3 |
As the data shows, encounters and attacks are incredibly uncommon even over nearly 200 years. Tourists are far more likely to see dolphins, sea turtles and other tropical marine wildlife than great whites when visiting the Bahamas.
Precautions Are Still Worth Taking in Deeper Waters
While extremely unlikely in shallow beaches, tourists should still exercise caution when boating, diving or swimming well offshore in deeper Bahamian waters.
Avoiding areas of chumming and discarding fish scraps can also help prevent incidental attraction. Traveling in groups rather than alone can also discourage any curious sharks that may pass through seeking food sources.
Safety Tips for Water Activities in the Bahamas
Avoid Swimming at Dawn, Dusk or Night
Swimming at dawn, dusk or night is not recommended in the Bahamas due to increased shark activity during these times. As the light fades, visibility underwater decreases, making it more difficult for swimmers to spot sharks that may be lurking nearby (source).
In addition, sharks tend to be more active when hunting for food at dawn and dusk. By avoiding these higher risk times, swimmers can better protect themselves.
If you choose to take the risk of an early morning or evening swim, it’s best not to go alone. Swim near others who can keep watch and assist if needed. Wearing light-colored swimwear can also help you remain visible.
Ultimately though, swimming during daylight hours is highly advised in Bahamian waters.
Don’t Wear Shiny Jewelry in the Water
Shiny objects in the water can attract sharks looking for prey. The sparking reflection of jewelry can mimic the shimmer of fish scales, grabbing a shark’s attention (source). To avoid becoming mistaken for a meal, leave necklaces, earrings, watches, rings and other accessories on shore before entering Bahamian waters.
Waterproof sunscreen should also be reapplied if needed before re-entering the water. The scent of sunscreen chemicals can also peak curiosities. Stowing uneasy feelings aside to fully enjoy your island getaway is key. But preventing avoidable risky situations is also important.
By making wise choices, vacationers can safely delight in the beauty of the Bahamas beneath the waves.
Conclusion
While the odds of running into a great white around the Bahamas are extremely slim, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. By taking some basic precautions and avoiding swimming at peak feeding times for sharks, you can enjoy the Bahamas’ ocean waters with confidence.
