The Great White Shark remains the most feared ocean predator. While its presence in the Mediterranean is infrequent, the accidental capture of a specimen off Alicante in 2023 sparked fresh alarm about whether these apex predators are patrolling the waters of Andalucía.

A recent study from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, (IEO CSIC), provides a reassuring view.

According to researcher José Carlos Báez, while sharks do inhabit Andalusian waters, they are effectively absent from the Granada coastline.

There have been only six recorded sightings of Great Whites between Almería and Huelva in the last 160 years – none of which occurred in Granada.

Báez explains that the likelihood of spotting a great white shark in the Mediterranean is “very low” but that they do use the Strait of Gibraltar as a passageway on their migratory journeys. Recent attacks on sea turtles by these sharks confirms their existence. Expert: “They’re the only ones strong enough to break the shell.”

Do they attack peoples?

This type of shark is extremely rare to be seen near the shore. The researcher explains that the main reason for this is because they “need swimming constantly”. If they are too close to shore, they may suffocate on the sand.

Baez says, “it’s very rare that a shark attacks happens” and that this only happens when people go deep into the ocean, such as surfers or windsurfers.

There are very few encounters in Spain with great whites, but they do occur. According to the researcher, “In 1862 an attack occurred in Malaga. Another one took place in Tarifa 1982.”

Costa Tropical – Other species

While there are no great whites in Granada, there are other types of sharks, for example the blue shark, which come very close to the shore in Salobreña. They feed by using the currents. José Carlos affirms that, although their presence is quite common, “they are harmless”.

The basking shark is another animal you can easily spot off the Costa Tropical. It can look imposing with a maximum length of ten meters. You may see them during their migration from Britain to the Mediterranean. They are often seen because they migrate very close to shore. The fish feed on small plankton organisms or other waterborne particles. They do not pose a threat to humans.

The Costa Tropical is home to a rich biodiversity, including many sea creatures that contribute to the beauty of the landscapes. There is no danger for bathers of being attacked by a great white shark, but José Carlos Báez does note: “A jellyfish or a spider fish is much more dangerous than a shark.”