The Best Shark Deterrents & Repellants of 2025

When entering the waters all around the world, there is no denying that you are no longer in complete control.

There is a whole other realm just below the surface, much of which is unseen.

So with the potential danger that lurks beneath surfers’ boards, particularly sharks, many prefer to err on the side of caution and wear what are known as personal shark deterrents.

Do Shark Deterrents Actually Work? 

Several studies have been done to assess whether shark deterrents are actually worth surfers’ time and money. A study published by PMC in 2018 focused on evaluating the effectiveness of five different shark deterrents for surfers.

This particular study focused on deterring great whites since they are viewed as the most dangerous species of shark and all testing was done within Australia, an area known for a large shark presence. Additionally, the trials were held at the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park because it is home to a large colony of seals, making it a shark hotspot. 

To test the deterrents, boards were made with bait on the sides. Six boards had an active deterrent, there were four replica deterrents to act as the control group and one board had no deterrents. 

Out of all of their trials, 342, there were a recorded 1413 passes from 44 different sharks. When the surfers did not have active deterrents, the sharks touched or bit the board before the end of their trials 96% of the time.

The conclusion of this study, and several others that yielded similar results, showed extreme promise in reducing the encounters between surfers and sharks. Although deterrents vary in effectiveness and none of which are 100% effective, they are doing their job in limiting shark bites.

The Best Shark Deterrents and Repellants 

There are several deterrents that are available for purchase suitable for surfers and most underwater activities. Here are the top six.

Option 1: FCS x Sharkbanz POD

Among some of the Sharbandz products is the FCS X Sharkbandz POD for $110. This deterrent is described as being a stealthy and convenient deterrent designed specifically for surfing. 

This is an active deterrent, meaning that it never needs to be charged, and is a patented magnetic deterrent working on sharks and stingrays. This lightweight device can strap onto any leash or be tucked away into your boardshorts or wetsuit key pocket. As for depth, the FCS X Sharkbandz POD covers 100m/330 feet.

Option 2: SharkBanz 2

Another Sharkbandz product is the Sharkbandz 2 for $138. This is a bit of a bulkier design when compared to the Sharkbandz POD but has still been deemed as effective for stingrays and sharks. This is another magnetic design that never needs charging or batteries. 

Designed for comfort, the Sharbandz 2 are meant to be worn on the ankle or wrist and are made of a soft silicone band with a matte stainless steel buckle. This is still a lightweight product, weighing 3 oz. The device offers a depth range of 100m/330 feet. 

Option 3: Shark Shield Freedom 7

The Ocean Guardian Shark Shield Freedom 7 Unit is sold on several different sites with varying prices. The lowest I have seen is roughly $370 and up to $600.

The Shark Shield Freedom 7 claims to offer up to 6-hours protection from all species of shark. The device has been tested and proven to deter great whites by creating a protective electrical field roughly 6m (20') x 4m (13') in diameter and It can be used at depths of up to 164 feet (50 meters).

This is a lightweight deterrent that fits in with any of your existing gear. It has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that holds over 1000 charge cycles; however, this is not a product that should be used by children under the age of 14, pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions.

Option 4: IronSkinn Wetsuits

IronSkinn Wetsuits are products designed to be shark bite resistant. There are three different options to choose from: A fullsuit, a long john suit and pants. The fullsuit, the most popular design, usually sells for $2,399. It consists of a long john and separate long sleeves. This design is suitable for all ocean activities.

IronSkinn wetsuits claim to be the only shark bite resistant garments that have been tested against several species, most notably the great white and bull sharks. This suit is designed to be elastic and form fitting making it great for mobility during surfing.

The weight is approximately 7kg out of the water, this was weighed with the XL suit, and it is buoyant in the water. The suit is also sun blocking with a UPF of 50 plus. As for the thickness of the full suit, it is 5mm and non-thermal, making it suitable for warm conditions or over a wetsuit in cool conditions.

Option 5: Ocean Guardian Freedom Surf+

The Ocean Guardian Freedom Surf+ was developed by Ocean & Earth. This is a streamline black antenna design that also comes with a transferable power module, charging dock and a tail pad/ antenna that you can install onto your board seamlessly.

Ranging in price, this deterrent has been tested and proven to be effective in deterring several species of sharks.

Option 6: Shark Eyes

Founded by big wave surfer, West Oz, Shanan Worrall in 2016, Shark Eyes are eye decals that are stuck onto the underside of your board and are meant to be a visual deterrent.

The research that has been done on this product has found that the mimicry and eye spots this product has is a successful defence mechanism seen in nature.

This is a more affordable and versatile shark deterrent for roughly $15 for one set. This product can be placed on any underwater activity gear and therefore works on all depths due to its visual aspect.

The Bottom Line: The Best Shark Deterrents

The ocean can be an overwhelming place especially when you can’t always see what may be circling your board just a few feet below. Whether you are among the surfers that have a very valid fear for sharks or maybe you have never given it a second thought, it doesn’t hurt to be safer than sorry. 

With technology advancing every day and the science to back it up, there are more and more successful shark deterrents making their way onto the market for surfers and they are certainly worth looking into.