Discover 6 Most Terrifying Shark Attacks in Texas

The mighty shark is possibly one of the most feared animals on the planet. Sharks (Selachimorpha) have been the stars of many Hollywood films and horror stories. While there are 500 different shark species in the world, a few, like the great white shark, tiger shark, and bull shark, are very well-known and highly feared. Sharks are found all across the world in various ocean habitats. They are apex predators who rule the oceans, and while it is horrifying to think about, shark attacks have been captivating people’s interest and studies for years. In this article, we will be discussing the most terrifying shark attacks in Texas. Although there is only an average of 1.3 shark attacks per year in Texas, some of them have been truly fearsome. With that said, let’s discover the most terrifying shark attacks Texas has seen.

Type of Sharks Found in Texas

Before diving into the number of attacks, we should discuss what sharks you must worry about in Texas’ waters. Not all sharks enjoy the same habitat, so it is not safe to assume that the same sharks you may see in another state or part of the world would also inhabit Texas. With 367 miles of coastline, Texas is a shark hotspot. In fact, roughly 40 species of shark inhabit the waters surrounding Texas. Below are some common species you may find swimming around in Texas’ waters.

• Bull Shark
• Spinner Shark
• Sandbar Shark
• Blacktip Shark
• Scalloped Hammerhead

Not all sharks found in the waters surrounding Texas are common in that area. While visiting Texas, you may spot some less common sharks.

• Lemon Shark
• Shortfin Mako Shark
• Thresher Shark
• Caribbean Reef Shark
• Great White Shark

Beaches That Have the Most Shark Attacks in Texas

Now that you know which sharks you may encounter on your Texas trip, you should discover the beaches with the highest shark attack record. Although shark attacks in Texas are incredibly rare, sharks inhabit those coastal waters, so it is best to be prepared with the knowledge of which beaches sharks tend to visit most. The Texas beaches with the most shark attacks are as follows:

• Mustang Island/Port Aransas
• South Padre Island
• Galveston Beach
• Surfside Beach
• Pirates Beach

Despite the fact that it is possible to encounter a shark at any beach or any time you enter the ocean, these beaches have proved to be the sharks’ favorites by having more unprovoked attacks than other areas in Texas.

The 6 Most Terrifying Shark Attacks in Texas

While all shark attacks are scary and not something you want to encounter, these six have an extra fear factor. Let’s discover the most terrifying shark attacks and what makes them rank so high on the fear scale.

Galveston Isalnd Attack

Although this attack happened in 1911, the time passed has not made it any less terrifying. This scene is right from the shark horror films that present themselves on our screens today. The attack happened in the ship channel at Galveston Island in Texas. The gentleman in this accident was a dredgerman who ran a dredge that removes sediment and materials from the bottom of a body of water. Apparently, his companion went overboard and was pulled under the water. This man bravely jumped into the water to assist his friend, who he feared was in danger.

Unfortunately, this man’s bravery did not result in a happy ending. The same force that pulled down his companion also pulled him down. Although the others on the dredge did go out on a smaller boat to try and rescue him, they ultimately watched their companion drown. Later, when they discovered his body, it had an arm and a leg missing. Experts believe a “monster shark” brought this gentleman and his companion down under the water to meet their end.

Galveston Beach Attack

Another Texas shark attack that is right out of the horror books is the attack that happened at Galveston Beach with a 14-year-old boy. According to records, this young boy went for a swim at night in the ocean at Galveston Beach. This attack happened on June 15, 1937, and the boy was discovered in shallow waters off the beach. By the time people found the boy, his lower right arm had been ripped off his body, and his right thigh was severely mangled. However, through that carnage, people could see clear teeth marks. Even though help eventually reached him, the boy died en route to the hospital. Whether it was that this attack happened under the cover of darkness or because of its unfortunate end, this attack clearly makes it onto the list of most terrifying shark attacks in Texas.

Brownsville Attack

Similarly to the attacks above, this Texas shark attack is something right out of a movie. In 1948, a pilot and his comrade were leaving to pick up cargo from Mexico. En route to their destination, their plane crashed into the ocean. While the plane sank quickly, the two gentlemen were able to climb aboard a life raft and stay afloat. They were at sea for nine days because authorities had called off the search for them because of the lack of evidence of their survival. The crash severely injured the pilot, and while his companion tried to care for him, his condition worsened.

At some point, sharks began to circle the raft. The companion tells of how the pilot began to lose mental clarity and fell out of the raft. Once his injured body was in the water, it took no time at all for the sharks to descend. His companion tells the gruesome tale to the rescuers, who finally find him after watching the sharks surround his friend. He describes seeing his friend flail his arms and legs about for a bit until the sharks finally closed in on him, and his friend was no longer with him. Terrifying and gruesome, this attack is truly a horrifying one.

Crystal Beach Attack

In 2018, a gentleman was swimming alone near Crystal Beach, enjoying the ocean waters. He was about 200 yards (or 600 feet) from the shoreline. He was enjoying his swim until he heard a nearby splash. After the splash sounded, the man was grabbed by the leg. The sight of the fin clued the gentlemen in as to what it was that had happened; a shark had a hold of his leg. The man was able to break free and began to swim as quickly as he could back to shore. However, this predator did not want to give up so easily. The shark began to follow him as he swam toward the shore.

Luckily for this gentleman, the shark did not strike again. The bite he had sustained had ripped through the flesh below his right knee and had a piece of tendon removed from the bite. Had he suffered another bite from the shark, he would most likely not have been able to return to shore. This attack makes it onto the most terrifying list for its fearsome nature and because the shark continued to stalk him after he was bitten, which resembles a scene right out of a horror movie. Fortunately, after four days in the hospital, this gentleman was on the road to recovery.

The Story Continues

That is not the end of this man’s story. Several days later, his wound was still aching, so he decided to return to the hospital. Not only was this man bitten by a shark, but then he was infected with a flesh-eating bacteria. This bacteria thrives in warm, coastal seawater and infects open wounds, causing the skin and tissue around the wound to wither and die. Without treatment, the infection is fatal. Luckily for this gentleman, he received treatment. However, his shark attack is terrifying for the attack itself and the fears that followed.

Pirates Beach Attack

Another attack that can cause goosebumps was the attack on a 5-year-old girl in 2018 at Pirates Beach. This young girl was knee-deep in the water, splashing away in a pink floatie when met with a 3-4 foot shark. The shark bit the girl on her foot and caused serious ligament damage that required surgery to fix. The child’s parents heard her scream and, along with the help of other good samaritans, got her out of the water and to the hospital.

She was able to make a full recovery. This particular shark attack caused some arguments among experts. Some of them argue that because the girl was surrounded by fish, the shark was most likely trying to eat a fish when she was mistakenly bit. Due to mistaken identity, this would not be considered an attack. Regardless, it was definitely still terrifying, especially for the young girl’s parents.

Surfside Beach Attack

In 2013, a 15-year-old boy was enjoying a swim in the ocean at Texas’ Surfside Beach. He was waist-deep in the water when a shark bit into the lower part of his left leg. According to sources, the boy beat the shark with his hands in an attempt to get it to release his leg. The shark, however, had other intentions. It latched onto the boy’s left hand. Luckily for this teen, friends who had come to the beach with him came to his aid.

His friends and local law enforcement successfully removed the boy from the water and took him to a hospital. His injuries were non-life threatening, and he was able to make a recovery. This attack makes it onto the most terrifying shark attacks in Texas because had it not been for the bravery of his friends, this teen’s story may have ended very differently.

Summary of the 6 Most Terrifying Shark Attacks in Texas

Here is a quick recap of Texas’s six most terrifying shark attacks.