A dream family vacation in the Bahamas turned into a parent’s worst nightmare when a 12-year-old American boy was attacked by a shark while swimming with his brother.

The terrifying incident happened on the afternoon of June 23 near Staniel Cay in the Exuma Cays, a stunning island chain known for its crystal-clear water, luxury getaways and popular sightseeing tours.

But what was supposed to be a picture-perfect day in paradise quickly turned into chaos.

According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the boy was in the water with his brother around 3:30 p.m. when a shark suddenly attacked. Authorities have not released the child’s name or said what type of shark was involved.

The injured boy was quickly pulled from the water and rushed onto a nearby boat as his family’s vacation spiraled into a medical emergency.

He was then taken by boat to New Providence, where he received treatment at a hospital.

Officials confirmed the next day that the 12-year-old was in stable condition. Police have not shared the extent of his injuries, whether he needed surgery or how long he is expected to remain hospitalized.

The frightening attack remains under investigation.

The Bahamas scare comes amid a string of recent shark encounters making headlines around the world.

Just weeks earlier, beachgoers in Australia were left horrified after a woman was critically injured in a shark attack at Sydney’s famous Coogee Beach. The woman, believed to be in her 30s, suffered severe injuries to her arm and leg after being attacked shortly after 11 a.m. on June 13.

Witnesses rushed into action, pulling her from the water and giving first aid on the sand before emergency crews arrived. She was later airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Officials credited bystanders with helping stabilize her before paramedics took over.

In another chilling case, 20-year-old Uruguayan surfer Alejo Santiñaque said he had to fight for his life when a shark bit his foot off Australia’s coast earlier this month.

Santiñaque said he was waiting for a wave at Red Cliff when he suddenly felt a powerful hit and a violent pull.

“I suddenly felt a hard hit and a strong pull on my foot. A shark had bitten me,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

The shark reportedly dragged him beneath the surface and became tangled in his surfboard leash. Santiñaque said instinct kicked in.

“It pulled me in the water, and my immediate response was to kick it as hard as I could to make it let go,” he recalled.

For the young boy in the Bahamas, what began as a family adventure in one of the world’s most beautiful vacation spots ended with a terrifying reminder of how quickly paradise can turn dangerous.

Authorities have not released further details as the investigation continues.