The coastal waters of Georgia are home to quite a number of sharks. While some are permanent offshore residents, a few species migrate to the estuaries or water near the shores when migrating or giving birth to their young. The common inhabitants are the Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, blacknose, and bonnethead sharks. Like most other US states, Georgia also witnesses a spike in shark population during summer.
Shark attacks aren’t a regular phenomenon here. According to the International Shark Attack File’s records, there have been 15 unprovoked bites since 1837. However, in 2021 the state witnessed two back-to-back attacks in a week, which seems quite unusual in an area where shark bites are uncommon. One of the two incidents occurred in Tybee Island, where a shark bit a surfing instructor when he was in the middle of his class.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Georgia
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark |
2-4 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Lemon Shark |
9-10 feet | Not aggressive |
Bull Shark |
7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Bonnethead Shark |
4-5 feet | Not aggressive |
Great White Shark |
11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
Blacknose Shark |
3-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Great Hammerhead | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but potentially dangerous) |
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark |
9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Nurse Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Sandbar Shark |
5.5-8.5 feet | Not aggressive |
Dusky Shark |
9 -12 feet | Not aggressive (until provoked) |
Spinner Shark |
7 -8 feet | Not aggressive |
Thresher Shark |
10-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Finetooth Shark | 5-6 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Georgia >>
