Shark Bite Suspected On Long Island Beach: Officials

WANTAGH, NY — A suspected shark bite incident on a Long Island beach has been confirmed by officials.

New York State Parks say the incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Central Mall beachfront of Jones Beach State Park. A 20-year-old woman was waist deep in the water and reported being bitten by unknown wildlife. Lifeguards and EMTs immediately responded to the injured swimmer, who had minor cuts on her left foot and leg. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

After the suspected shark incident, the beach halted swimming. After a search by drones and lifeguards, swimming was allowed again on Thursday.

New York's Department of Environmental Conservation and experts could not confirm the exact species causing the bite but suspect it was likely a juvenile sand tiger shark. According to Ocean Conservancy, Tiger sharks are "aggressive predators" known to seek out various types of marine life as prey. Attacks on people are rare, but they are second after great white sharks for human attacks.

A New York States Parks official told WCBS that this was the first shark appearance in 2025 at Jones Beach State Park. Park police, lifeguards plan to continue patrols with drones, surfboats and other methods throughout the season to protect swimmers.

According to CNN, experts say the risk of encounters with sharks is low. Experts noted that sharks do not usually pursue people and may accidentally encounter them. Juvenile sharks may mistakenly identify humans as prey.

CNN noted that unprovoked shark bite reports worldwide declined last year from 69 to 47. The most unprovoked shark attack reports — 28 — came from the U.S.

To avoid shark encounters, New York State Parks recommends avoiding areas with seals, schools of fish, splashing fish and diving seabirds; not swimming at dusk, night and dawn; avoiding murky water; staying close to shore where feet touch the bottom, swimming in groups; and following lifeguard and park staff instructions.