12-Year-Old American Boy Survives Shark Attack in Exuma Cays

A 12-year-old American boy is stable following a shark attack in the Bahamas, authorities announced Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the boy was swimming with his brother at Staniel Cay during a family tour of the Exuma Cays. The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) did not disclose the type of shark involved but stated that the boy received medical treatment and is currently in stable condition.

The Exuma Cays, known for their popularity among tourists for activities like swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, are also home to a variety of marine life including sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks. Despite having one of the world’s highest rates of unprovoked shark attacks, with 30 confirmed incidents over the past 400 years according to the International Shark Attack File, such events remain extremely rare.

Recent incidents involving Americans include two women attacked off Bimini Bay in February 2025, a 63-year-old man severely injured while spearfishing off Abaco in August 2025, and a Maryland boy bitten on the leg by a shark in January 2024. A Boston woman tragically died after being attacked by a shark while paddleboarding with her family member in December 2023.