What Kind of Sharks Are in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?

Ever since the blockbuster movie "Jaws" hit movie theaters, sharks have been objects of fear in the ocean. But for some people, sharks are just another type of fish, and catching them is a favored sport. Many people conduct this sport at North Carolina's Myrtle Beach, where many species of shark frequent, and where fishermen, shark enthusiasts or the average tourist can go and catch a glimpse of these fearsome predators.

  1. Spinner Sharks

    • Spinner sharks are an extremely fast-moving species of shark that are often seen in and around the waters of Myrtle Beach. They weigh up to about 125 pounds and can reach nearly 6 feet in length. Feeding on sardines and herrings, they prefer shallow waters -- less than 90 feet deep -- but have also been seen in depths of approximately 225 feet.

    Lemon Sharks

    • Lemon sharks are mainly found along the southeastern coast of the United States, including Myrtle Beach. While they are fairly harmless to humans, there have been 22 reported attacks on humans around the world, although none have been fatal. They commonly feed on small sharks and small fish, and are more likely to be seen during the warmer summer months as they begin their long migration to the west coast of Africa.

    Black Tip Shark

    • There has never been a fatal black tip shark attack on humans, although they do account for the most shark bite attacks off the coast of Florida. These sharks can reach up to 6 feet in length, and use shallow inshore waters from South Carolina to Texas as nursery areas for their pups in spring and summer. They can be found in groups as young or adults feeding in shallow water.

    Sand Sharks

    • Sand sharks are ferocious-looking sharks, have pointed and protruding teeth, and can grow to be 10 feet in length. They are often spotted close to the shore of Myrtle Beach because, as their name suggests, they tend to stay near shoreline habitats. They are voracious predators, feeding at night on small fish. They are relatively docile and non aggressive toward humans, which makes them perfect targets for fishermen.