Wildlife
Are there sharks in Perdido Key?
Yes — sharks live in the Gulf of Mexico off Perdido Key, as they do along the entire coast. But bites are extremely rare, and millions of people swim here every year without incident. A few simple habits keep an already-tiny risk even smaller.
The honest risk picture
Sharks are a normal part of the Gulf ecosystem and are almost always offshore of swimmers. Unprovoked bites on the Gulf Coast are very rare and very rarely serious. You're far more likely to get hurt by a rip current or sunburn than by a shark.
Simple habits that lower the risk
- Avoid swimming at dawn and dusk, when sharks feed closest to shore.
- Stay out of the water near people fishing, bait pods, or diving birds.
- Don't wear shiny jewelry, which can flash like fish scales.
- Swim in groups and stay closer to shore.
Keep reading
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Reviewed June 2026. Conditions change daily — for live numbers see Beach Today.