The U.S. State Department<\/u><\/a> recently issued a Level 2 travel advisory, warning travelers<\/a> to “exercise increased caution” due to crime and possibly shark attacks in The Bahamas.<\/p>\n Violent crime<\/a> \u2014 including armed robberies, burglaries and sexual assaults \u2014 can occur anywhere in the Bahamas, according to a statement from the State Department.<\/p>\n A view of the beach in Bimini, Bahamas. \u00a0<\/span> (Jakub Porzycki\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n AMERICAN TOURISTS ATTACKED BY SHARK AT LUXE BAHAMAS RESORT AREA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n However, most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands.<\/a><\/p>\n Travelers should stay alert in the “Over the Hill” area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents<\/a>, according to the statement.<\/p>\n They should also exercise caution at vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present.<\/p>\n The State Department recommends locking doors and windows and not answering the door unless travelers know who the person is.<\/p>\n Rows of sunbeds and coconut palm trees in Nassau, the Bahamas.<\/span> (EyesWideOpen\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In addition to the crime notice, the State Department warned travelers of risks while boating<\/a> and visiting the beach.<\/p>\n Boating is not well regulated, and injuries and deaths have occurred, according to the statement.<\/p>\n LARGEST WHITE SHARK EVER CAUGHT, TAGGED PINGS NEAR FLORIDA COAST<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Watercraft might not be safe, while some operators are not licensed or insured.<\/p>\n Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands.<\/p>\n Sexual assaults by jet ski operators and on and near downtown Nassau beaches have also been reported.<\/p>\n “Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms,” the State Department advises.<\/p>\n People gather on the resort pier after what police described as a fatal shark attack against a tourist at Sandals Royal Bahamian resort, in Nassau, Bahamas.<\/span> (Reuters\/Dante Carrer)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sharks are another concern, with recent attacks leading to serious injuries and death.<\/p>\n MASSIVE 1,400-POUND GREAT WHITE SHARK PINGS OFF FLORIDA BEACH FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In February, two American tourists were attacked by a shark at a popular Bahamas resort.<\/p>\n The female swimmers were at Bimini Bay, part of the westernmost island in The Bahamas and about 50 miles from Miami, and were airlifted to New Providence<\/u><\/a>, a separate island in the Bahamas, for further treatment.<\/p>\n In December 2023, Lauren Erickson Van Wart, a 44-year-old newlywed from Massachusetts, was killed by a shark while paddleboarding less than a mile off the western end of New Providence Island.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1200\/675\/bimini-bay-beach-bahamas_01.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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