News Summary
A swimmer was hospitalized following a likely shark bite at Coligny Beach Park, marking the second incident on Hilton Head Island within a week. Lifeguards treated the injured beachgoer on-site before transporting them to Hilton Head Medical Center. The injury is non-life-threatening. This follows another shark bite incident involving a 12-year-old girl just five days earlier. Experts warn of an uptick in shark encounters as the summer begins, with lifeguards monitoring the waters closely for safety.
Hilton Head Island – A swimmer was hospitalized following a likely shark bite near Coligny Beach Park on Sunday afternoon, June 22, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. and marks the second shark bite reported on Hilton Head Island in less than a week.
Immediately after the incident, Shore Beach Service Lifeguards provided on-site treatment before transporting the injured beachgoer to Hilton Head Medical Center. Officials later confirmed that the injury sustained was determined to be non-life-threatening, allowing for optimism in the swimmer’s recovery.
This incident comes just five days after a shark bite was reported on June 17, when a 12-year-old girl sustained a significant leg wound consistent with a shark bite while swimming at a beach in the Sea Pines neighborhood. Following that incident, she was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Savannah for additional medical care.
In response to the latest shark bite, lifeguards took precautionary measures by clearing the waters for about two hours, monitoring the local area for any signs of sharks. This action was part of a standard safety protocol to ensure the well-being of beachgoers.
Peak Season Concerns
As the summer season kicks off, Hilton Head Island is experiencing an uptick in reported shark encounters. In July of the previous year, lifeguards documented three likely interactions between swimmers and sharks. Typically, the island averages two to three shark bites each year, though historical data indicates occasional spikes, with as many as six incidents reported in a single year.
Understanding Shark Encounters
Experts point out that blacktip sharks, a smaller species, are often involved in these types of encounters. Lifeguards on Hilton Head Island are specially trained to identify signs of shark activity, such as fish jumping out of the water and birds diving, patterns that could indicate the presence of predators.
The safety of beachgoers is a priority for Hilton Head’s Shore Beach Service, which employs over 60 lifeguards to patrol 13.5 miles of beach during the peak summer season. To enhance safety, the beach uses a flag system: purple flags signal dangerous marine life, red flags denote rough conditions, and yellow flags indicate moderate sea conditions. This system serves as a visual cue for swimmers regarding the safety of the water.
Tourism and Recognition
Hilton Head Island has consistently received accolades for its beautiful beaches and welcoming atmosphere. In 2024, it was ranked No. 1 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Vacation Rankings among South Carolina’s beaches, further reinforcing its popularity among tourists.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and stress the importance of safety measures while swimming. As the summer progresses, they urge swimmers to remain vigilant and adhere to lifeguard warnings and the beach flag system.
This story was originally published on June 23, 2025, at 12:30 PM and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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12-Year-Old Girl Survives Shark Bite on Hilton Head Island
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Attack in Hilton Head
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Bite in South Carolina
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Suspected Shark Bite in Hilton Head
Shark Attack Injures Beachgoer at Hilton Head Island
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted to Hospital After Shark Bite Incident
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Bite on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island Airlifts 12-Year-Old Girl After Shark Attack
Beach Safety Guidelines for Families in Hilton Head
Additional Resources
- ABC News: Hilton Head Island Shark Attacks
- Google Search: Hilton Head Island shark attacks
- Fox News: Second Shark Attack in Hilton Head
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shark attacks
- WJCL: Coligny Beach Shark Bite
- Google News: Hilton Head shark bite
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HERE Hilton Head Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Hilton Head community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Hilton Head Our team includes lifelong Hilton Head residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listings of historic homes 0 , Hilton Head’s Gullah heritage and coastal culture 6 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Technical College of the Lowcountry programs) 10 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and...
