Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, French Polynesia is renowned for its pristine waters and breathtaking marine life. However, with the allure of the ocean comes the necessity to understand its inhabitants. Shark attacks, while rare, can influence tourism and local activities. As a bridge between humans and these majestic creatures, our page offers up-to-date details every week on shark attacks in French Polynesia. Whether you’re a tourist considering a dive or a local planning a day at the beach, we’ve got the information you need.
Recent Shark Attacks in French Polynesia
| Date / Time | Country / Area | Activity | Name | Sex / Age | Injury | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05-28-2023 14h35 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tahiti | Kite surfing | female | F /25 | Buttock bitten | Grey reef shark, 2 m |
| 05-07-2022 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Bora Bora | Hand bitten | ||||
| 04-30-2022 Morning | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tahiti | Hakahei Huuti | M /22 | Cut to knee | Tiger shark, 2 to 2.5m | |
| 04-24-2021 08h15 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tahiti | Canoeing | Reuben | M /25 | No injury, canoe bitten | |
| 03-26-2021 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Marquesas | Swimming | male | M /10 | ||
| 07-27-2020 Evening | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotu Islands | Swimming | male | M /4 | Leg bitten | Blacktip reef shark, juvenile |
| 05-17-2020 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tahiti | Snorkeling | Leg bitten | Blacktip shark | ||
| 11-14-2019 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Moorea | Feeding sharks | James Tigo | M /9 | Multiple lacerations to right arm | 5' blacktip shark |
| 10-21-2019 11h30 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Moorea | Snorkeling | Emmanuelle B | F /35 | Severe injuries to arms and chest | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 01-17-2018 08h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA | Surfing | Dominick DiBartolomeo | M /45 | Superficial bite to right thigh and left knee. | Sicklefin Lemon Shark, |
| 01-01-2017 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Marquesas | Surfing | male | M | Injuries to hand and wrist | |
| 12-11-2016 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotos | Fishing | male | M /40 | Hand injured? | |
| 04-18-2016 Morning | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotos | Spearfishing | Hoata Iotua | M /22 | Laceration to knee by speared shark PROVOKED INCIDENT | Grey reef shark, 2 m |
| 04-18-2016 Morning | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotos | Spearfishing | Teva Tokoragi | M /26 | Severe lacerations to right forearm, hand and calf from speared shark PROVOKED INCIDENT | Grey reef shark, 2 m |
| 07-06-2015 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Bora Bora | Swimming | Joe Termini | M | Parallel lacerations to torso inconsistent with shark bite | No shark involvement |
| 05-25-2015 08h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Rangiroa | Spearfishing | male | M /19 | Lacerations to right forearm | 1m to 1.2 m shark |
| 03-16-2015 10h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Bora Bora | Hand feeding sharks | male | M /9 | Hand bitten | Blacktip shark |
| 03-07-2015 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Central Tuamotu | Sitting in the water | male | M /18 | Thigh bitten | Blacktip Reef shark |
| 09-12-2014 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Moorea | Feeding fish | female | F /36 | Thumb & finger nipped | Blacktip shark |
| 02-20-2014 16h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Kitesurfing | male | M /21 | Lacerations to lower leg | Blacktip reef shark |
| 04-10-2013 12h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Kite boarding | Nick Eitel | M /53 | Underside of board, fins and, harness were damaged, and left hip, thigh and buttock sustained puncture wounds | Possibly a blacktip reef shark |
| 02-09-2013 09h00 - 09h30 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Scuba diving | Zohar Kritzer | M /48 | Lacerations to right arm & thigh | Lemon shark |
| 08-04-2012 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Spearfishing | Téophane Tauiratea | M | Shoulder bitten | Lemon shark, 2.5m to 3m |
| 08-16-2011 15h30 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Surfing | Adam 'Biff' D'Esposito | M /32 | No injury, board bitten | Grey reef shark |
| 02-01-2010 06h30 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Marquesas | Canoeing | Kevin | M | No injury, but canoe was scratched | |
| 02-21-2008 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Spearfishing | Apia Hauta | M /26 | Lacerations to face | |
| 01-01-2007 N | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tahiti | Scuba Diving | male | M | Scratch on face PROVOKED INCIDENT | Silvertip shark |
| 11-01-2002 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Fishing, standing in 2' of water | Scott Heywood | M /52 | Shin bruised | |
| 05-06-1972 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Spearfishing | B.T. | M /27 | Thigh bitten | 1.5 m grey reef shark |
| 08-13-1968 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Swimming | Blake Tenville | M /12 | Finger severed | |
| 06-02-1966 Afternoon | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Fishing | Faarei Tuhei | M | Arm lacerated by netted shark PROVOKED INCIDENT | |
| 06-01-1951 11h00 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Spearfishing | Don M. Clark | M /39 | Right thumb bitten | |
| 10-31-1924 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Pearl diving | Huri-Huri | M | Abrasions PROVOKED ATTACK | |
| 01-18-1893 | FRENCH POLYNESIA | Murdered | sailor | M | FATAL.Tossed overboard to sharks by Rodrigue brothers who were later executed in Manila | |
| 07-15-1834 | FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Swimming | Kaugatava Orurutm | F | FATAL | Reported to involve a hammerhead shark |
| FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Society Islands | Spearfishing | male | M | Leg bitten | ||
| FRENCH POLYNESIA ,Tuamotus | Fishing | male | M | Speared a shark, fell overboard and another shark severed his arm |
Does French Polynesia provide guidelines for divers in case of shark encounters?
Yes, French Polynesia does provide guidelines for divers in the event of shark encounters. These include instructions to avoid direct contact with sharks, not to startle them, and to calmly exit the water if a shark is spotted.
How does French Polynesia educate the public about sharks and safety?
French Polynesia employs various educational and communication strategies to educate the public about sharks and safety measures. These initiatives include public awareness campaigns, discussions led by marine biologists, and collaborations with local schools to emphasize the importance of shark conservation and safety guidelines when encountering sharks in French Polynesian waters.
Does French Polynesia have a ‘shark season’ when attacks are more prevalent?
No, French Polynesia does not have a specific ‘shark season’ where attacks become more prevalent. The incidence of shark encounters remains steady and does not significantly fluctuate throughout the year in French Polynesia.
