Réunion Island, Indian Ocean

Second Beach on Reunion Island has had more shark attacks in the past 10 years than anywhere else on earth. Eight fatalities in five years.

In fact, there have been so many shark attacks in the area that the government have banned surfing and swimming off the beach altogether.

The reasons for the sudden increase in aggressive shark activity is unclear. Some think it’s the new marine reserve on the west side of the island that’s attracted more sharks. Others think there is more waste entering the water than before.

Either way, we probably wouldn’t recommend breaking local laws for a private surf here…

Gandbaai, South Africa

Gandbaai is a fairly exposed reef break in South Africa, and also home to one of the densest collection of great white sharks in the world.

The channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock off Gansbaai is known as Shark Alley, named because it’s swamped with seals and therefore makes it prime shark hunting ground with the infamous great white shark known to be a regular visitor.

Interestingly though, sharks aren’t listed on the ‘things to watch out for’ on Surf Forecast.com…

Bolinas, California, USA

Bolinas in California forms part of the Red Triangle, an area between San Francisco, past the Farallon Islands down to Monterey in Big Sur nicknamed for its abundance of marine life. So with the seals and fish comes an influx of shark.

38 per cent of shark attacks in the US have happened here. That’s 11 per cent of attacks worldwide.

It’s also home to numerous world-class surf breaks alongside Bolinas including Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay and the infamous Mavericks. It’s not surprising that sharks have mistaken surfers for seals around here in their time.

You only need to read this article where they used a surfboard as shark bait to see exactly how likely you are to bump into a white while out back.

Kosi Bay, South Africa

Kosi Bay is great when the swell comes from the south east. It’s beautiful and rarely crowded. Why? Well, as Wikipedia notes, “the bay is noted for its aggressive bull shark population”. Hmmmm, that doesn’t sound so enticing now.

Bull sharks have even been known to swim upriver into freshwater zones, some 2,000 miles from the sea. Best to find somewhere else to surf I reckon.

Hawaii, USA

Up until 2012, there had been 116 unprovoked shark attacks in Hawaii. 2013 saw a bout of 13 attacks in one year.

With the increase of visitors to the Hawaiian islands comes a greater risk of shark attacks. Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton lost her arm to a tiger shark aged 13 while surfing with her childhood friend Alana Blanchard on the island of Kauai.

Best to avoid the water around dawn or dusk when it’s shark feeding time.

Perth, Australia

Western Australia has been a hub of shark attacks over the past decade.

In 2012 to 2013, there were eight shark attacks off the coast of Western Australia alone. This topped the yearly average which has historically hovered around 4.4. attacks per year.

Again, scientists explain that this is probably because due to the increased number of people in the water as a whole.

New South Wales has also experienced a number of shark attacks, including a diver who lost his life earlier this year.