You’re sitting on a striped towel at Robert Moses State Park. The sun is baking your shoulders. Suddenly, a whistle blows—long, loud, and annoying. Everyone stands up. You see a lifeguard pointing toward the surf, and just like that, the "shark panic" starts all over again. It feels like 1975, but honestly, it’s just a Tuesday in July.
The reality of long island ny sharks has shifted dramatically over the last few years. If you grew up going to Jones Beach or Montauk in the 90s, you probably didn't think about sharks at all unless you were heading miles offshore for mako. Now? They’re right there in the wash. It’s weird, it’s a little scary for some, but it’s actually a massive win for the environment.
Why the sudden crowd of Long Island NY sharks?
It isn't a fluke. It isn't a "Jaws" sequel. It's basically the result of decades of cleaning up our act.
Back in the day, the Atlantic was a mess. Overfishing and pollution meant the buffet was closed. But then we got the Clean Water Act and much stricter fishing regulations. The biggest game-changer? The Menhaden. Locals call them "bunker." These oily, smelly little fish are basically protein bars for everything in the ocean. Because we stopped over-harvesting bunker, they've returned to the South Shore in massive, shimmering clouds that sometimes stretch for miles.
When the food shows up, the predators follow.
Last summer, drone pilots from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spotted more activity than ever before. We aren't just talking about one or two strays. We’re talking about a thriving ecosystem right off the coast of million-dollar Hamptons rentals. It’s busy out there.
The species you're actually seeing
Forget the Great White for a second. While they are around (shoutout to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy for tracking them), they usually stay a bit further out. The "pests" or "visitors" causing most of the beach closures are usually Sand Tiger sharks.
They look terrifying. They’ve got these snaggle-toothed grins that make them look like underwater villains. But sand tigers are surprisingly chill. They aren't looking for a human snack; they’re just chasing the bunker into the shallows. You've also got Sandbar sharks and Dusky sharks hanging around.
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Occasionally, a juvenile Great White will wander into the New York Bight. It’s basically a nursery for them. Chris Paparo, who runs the Fish Guy Photos and works at Stony Brook University, has been vocal about this for years. He’s often pointed out that the presence of these apex predators means the water is healthy. If the sharks leave, that’s when we should actually be worried.
The bite count vs. the hype
Let's look at the numbers because people tend to lose their minds over this. In 2023, there were several "encounters" or nips off Fire Island and Quogue. Most were minor. No one was getting dragged into the depths.
Think about it this way: millions of people swim at long island ny sharks infested beaches every single summer. The math is incredibly in your favor. You’re more likely to get injured by a rogue beach umbrella blowing in the wind or a bad sunburn than a shark.
But why the increase in bites? It’s a visibility issue.
When the water is murky and a shark is chasing a school of fish, they snap at anything that moves. A foot splashing in a school of bunker looks a lot like a struggling fish. It’s a mistake. They usually realize it immediately and move on. It’s not "hunting." It’s a chaotic lunchroom.
How New York is responding (The Drone Army)
New York State isn't taking this lightly. Governor Kathy Hochul funneled money into a massive drone program. If you go to Smith Point or Jones Beach now, you’ll see teams of lifeguards staring at iPad screens instead of just scanning the horizon with binoculars.
- They use thermal imaging.
- Drones can spot a shadow in the water from 400 feet up.
- Lifeguards on Jet Skis patrol the "outer" bars where sharks like to cruise.
It's high-tech. It’s effective. It also means we’re seeing sharks that have always been there, but we just didn't know it. Before drones, if a shark swam 20 feet away from you in the surf, you just stayed oblivious. Now, we see it, we tweet it, and the beach closes for an hour. It’s a cycle of hyper-awareness.
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Where are the "Hot Spots"?
It seems to rotate, but the South Shore is the main stage.
- Fire Island: The stretch between Robert Moses and Davis Park has seen plenty of action. The drop-offs there are close to shore, making it easy for sharks to zip in and out.
- Rockaway Beach: Even NYC isn't immune. These beaches have seen more closures recently than in previous decades.
- Montauk: This is the deep end. Montauk has always been shark territory, but it’s usually more about the sport fishing scene than the swimmers.
Honestly, the geography of Long Island makes it a perfect highway. The "Great South Bay" acts as a protective area for all sorts of marine life, and the inlets (like Fire Island Inlet or Jones Inlet) are like doorways.
Myths that need to die
"Sharks are attracted to human blood." Not really. They’re way more interested in the oily discharge of a dying fish.
"If you see a dolphin, there are no sharks." This is a lie. Dolphins and sharks often eat the same food. If you see dolphins jumping and playing, it means there is a lot of bait in the water. If there’s bait, there’s probably a shark nearby waiting for its turn. They aren't best friends, but they definitely hang out in the same neighborhood.
"The water is too cold for sharks." Not in the summer. The Gulf Stream brings up warm water, and species like the Spinner shark or Blacktip love it. As climate change continues to shift ocean temperatures, we’re seeing southern species move further north into our territory. It’s a trend that isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Staying safe without being a hermit
You don't have to stay out of the water. That’s boring. You just have to be a little smarter about how you play in the ocean.
Stay away from the fishermen. If you see a guy on the beach with a heavy-duty rod and a bucket of bloody bait, don't swim right in front of him. He’s literally trying to attract what you’re trying to avoid. It sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore it.
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Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk. That’s "feeding time." The light is low, the sharks are active, and mistakes happen. Also, leave the shiny jewelry at home. A silver necklace bouncing against your skin looks exactly like the scales of a bunker reflecting sunlight.
If you see a large school of fish jumping or "boiling" on the surface, move away. That is a bait ball. Something is under it pushing those fish up. You don't want to be in the middle of that.
A new perspective on the South Shore
We have to get used to it. The "gray suits" are part of the Long Island experience now, just like overpriced lobster rolls and traffic on the LIE.
The fact that we have long island ny sharks returning in these numbers is a sign of a recovering ocean. It’s something to be proud of, even if it makes us a little nervous when we're treading water. We’re sharing the space with animals that have been doing this for millions of years.
Next time the lifeguard whistles everyone out of the water, don't panic. Just watch the water. You might see a dorsal fin slice through a wave, and honestly, it’s a pretty cool thing to witness from the safety of the sand.
Practical Steps for Your Next Beach Day
- Check the Surf Report: Websites and apps often note recent sightings.
- Listen to Lifeguards: If they say stay in knee-deep water, do it. They have the drone view; you don't.
- Swim in Groups: Sharks are less likely to approach a crowd.
- Report Sightings: If you see something, tell a lifeguard. Don't just post it on Instagram first.
- Keep Perspective: You are a guest in the ocean. Act like one.
The Atlantic is wild. That’s why we love it. Whether you're at Long Beach or the tip of the island, the sharks are just a reminder that the ocean is still very much alive. Respect the water, watch the bait balls, and keep your eyes peeled. It’s their home, we’re just visiting.