Shark Bites Swimmer in French Polynesia’s Ua Pou Island
Ua Pou,Marquesas Islands,French polynesia – November 10,2025,08:57 CET - A forty-year-old dentist was seriously injured Thursday when bitten by a shark while swimming in Hakahau Bay on the island of Ua Pou. The man, whose name has not been released, sustained a deep bite to his bicep and was medically evacuated by helicopter to Nuku Hiva for treatment. His life is not currently in danger.
While shark encounters are not uncommon in the waters surrounding French Polynesia, serious bites are rare, especially in Ua Pou. This incident, coupled with a similar attack in July on a seven-year-old child in Nuku Hiva, raises concerns about potential increases in shark activity and the safety of swimmers and water sports enthusiasts in the region. Authorities have not yet identified the species of shark involved in Thursday’s attack.
According to Tahia Ah-Lo, a health professional on Ua Pou, the swimmer remained remarkably calm despite the severity of his injury. “He was not in shock, he knew it was serious but he controlled his emotions and his anxiety,” Ah-Lo told AFP. The man was initially assisted by fellow swimmers before being airlifted to Nuku Hiva, which has a hospital equipped to handle the injury.
Ah-Lo, a nurse with 38 years of experience on the island, noted that the last shark bite in Ua Pou occurred approximately fifteen years ago, involving a surfer. The July incident in Nuku Hiva involved a child bitten on the arm and leg while swimming near an area where fishermen dispose of fish waste, suggesting a possible link between feeding practices and shark encounters.
french Polynesia is a popular destination for diving, snorkeling, and other water activities. The islands are home to a diverse range of shark species, including blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, and tiger sharks. Local officials are expected to review safety protocols and potentially issue advisories to swimmers and beachgoers in light of thes recent incidents.
