Are There Sharks in Sicily?
Wondering if there are sharks in Sicily? A pretty scary thought, right?
Sicily has some of the most stunning beaches in all of Italy.
With a total coastline of over 1,000 kilometres, people from all over the world flock to the beaches for a day of sun, sand, and surf.
But what about sharks? Are there sharks in Sicily?
Considering how much time we spend at the beach when we visit Sicily, this was something I definitely wanted to research!
And considering the answer is yes, you may want to read on for a little more information before heading out to the beach!
Sharks are a very misunderstood species. Considered apex predators, sharks are actually quite important to the ecosystem of any ocean.
Hopefully, this post will teach you a ton of cool facts about sharks in Italy.
Are There Sharks in Sicily?
Yes. There are sharks in Sicily. And with so many people vacationing on this incredible island and wanting to spend time in the sea, are they in danger?
Generally speaking, no. With at least 47 different types of shark calling the Mediterranean Sea home, there have only been a total of 3 shark attacks in Sicily since 1900, and only one of those was fatal.
The most recent attack occurred on July 1, 1985, near Punta Secca, in the southern regions of Sicily.
The most common shark seen near the Sicilian coast is the Shortfin Mako shark.
Are There Great White Sharks in Sicily?
Yes. There are Great White sharks in Sicily.
Great White sharks, considered the largest predatory fish on earth, are known to be found in the waters of the Strait of Sicily.
This is mainly due to the tuna populations there.
In fact, many shark experts believe that the Sicilian Channel may actually be somewhat of a breeding ground and nursery for Great Whites.
This is considering the number of pregnant females and pups seen in the area.
With that being said, Great White shark sightings in the Mediterranean are very rare.
In fact, there has been a pretty sharp decline in the population of Great White sharks in the Mediterranean.
This is mostly due to the hunting of sharks for sport, as well as the sharks getting tangled in fishing nets and nets protecting beaches.
And just to put things in perspective, there have only been 10 sightings of Great White sharks in Italy in the last 30 years.
You will have a better chance of spotting Great Whites along the coasts of California, South Africa, and Australia.
Are There Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea?
Yes! There are sharks living in the Mediterranean Sea.
Because the Mediterranean is connected to the Atlantic (and the rest of the world’s oceans) via the Straits of Gibraltar, almost any shark species in the world can be found here.
As we mentioned, there are approximately 47 shark species living in these waters.
Some of the more common species found include the Shortfin Mako Shark, Blue shark, Great White shark, Great Hammerhead, Scalloped Hammered, and Tiger Shark.
However, only sharks that prefer the warm environment can thrive and live in the Mediterranean waters.
But considering how many shark species call the Mediterranean home, very few of them pose any threat to people.
Only about 15 shark species which are regularly found in the Mediterranean can be problematic for swimmers.
And most of those are found in waters no tourist will ever encounter. In fact, the majority of shark species are completely harmless.
Are There Great White Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea?
Yes. There are Great White Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea.
In fact, great whites are one of the biggest and most dangerous species found there.
However, these dangerous predators have only been spotted in small numbers, and sightings are actually quite rare.
Most recent reports talk of Great White sightings near popular vacation spots like Mallorca and the deepwater straits around Sicily.
But the reality is that Tiger sharks and Blue sharks are much more common in the Mediterranean.
Are There Sharks in Italy?
With all of the different bodies of water that surround the peninsula of Italy, there are bound to be sharks found somewhere near the country.
And although Italy has been labelled as the Mediterranean ‘hot zone’ for shark attacks, there really isn’t any need for concern.
In reality, there have only been a total of 50 unprovoked shark attacks in Italy between 1900 and 2018. Of those attacks, 11 ended fatally.
As we have mentioned, there have only been approximately 10 sightings of sharks off the coast of Italy in the last 30 years.
These sightings were mostly recorded by diving spearfishers who travel with dead fish attached to their gear.
The majority of the sharks that are in Italian waters are deep-sea species.
This means that unless you’re a commercial fisherman or an oceanographer, chances are, you will not encounter any sharks.
The most common types of shark found around Italy are the Tiger, Great White, and Blue Shark.
Some of the places around Italy where you are most likely to spot sharks are the Tyrrhenian Sea, near the Gulf of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, near Genoa, and around Palermo.
And the further away from the coast you go, the more likely you are to encounter sharks.
Of course, it is important to note that most of the sharks found near Italy are of the saltwater variety.
This means if you happen to be swimming in one of Italy’s gorgeous lakes, there won’t be sharks in them.
Are There Bull Sharks in Italy?
Yes. There are Bull Sharks in Italy. They have been spotted all over the Mediterranean, but especially in Sicily.
Considered the largest shark in Italy, Bull sharks can range from 7 to 11.5 feet in length and can weigh between 200 and 500 pounds.
They are characterized by their short, blunt snout and aggressive nature.
Bull sharks are the only shark that can inhabit both freshwater and saltwater. As a result, they can be found in oceans, rivers, and seas.
And because Bull Sharks live in the shallow waters near the coast, they are among the most likely sharks to attack humans.
What Are the Most Common Shark Species Found in Italy?
Out of the 400 species of sharks in the world, only about 10% of them can be found in and around Italy.
The most predominant one is the Great White Shark.
The Great White is considered to be the most dangerous because of their size and their level of aggression.
Great White sharks can grow to as long as 16 feet.
An adult male can weigh as much as 1700 pounds while an adult female can weigh up to 5,000 pounds.
Blue sharks have also been found in some of the shallow waters around Italy.
However, Blue Sharks rarely attack humans. In fact, only 9 attacks on humans have ever been recorded.
Another shark species that are spotted once in a while is the tiger shark.
Of course, not all sharks found in and around Italy are considered dangerous.
Neither the Basking shark nor the Thresher shark is known to attack humans.
Are There Sharks in Venice?
Surprisingly, YES! There are sharks in Venice! Unbelievable, right?
It is not difficult to believe that there are sharks in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy.
However, many people do not realize that the sharks are able to make their way into the canal system in Venice.
The types of sharks that you are most likely to encounter in Venice are tiger sharks, great whites, bull sharks, or maco sharks.
And with most of the canals being only about two meters deep, you will likely see them swimming in the water.
In fact, it is one of the reasons why you are discouraged from going into the water in Venice.
Are There Sharks in Sardinia?
Yes. There are sharks in Sardinia.
However, there have only ever been 4 recorded shark attacks on the island of Sardinia.
And for the most part, the sharks present are only Basking sharks that feed on plankton or small prey only.
Is It Safe to Swim in Italy
Generally, yes. But it all depends on where you want to swim.
Many of the popular beaches in Italy are perfectly safe for swimming.
These top beaches are known to be safe for residents as well as tourists.
Besides, it is pretty safe to assume that where there are crowds, there are less likely to be a lot of sharks that want to attack.
A few of the top beaches to swim at in Italy include:
- Isola Bella (Sicily)
- Cala Goloritze (Sardinia)
- Camogli Beach (Liguria)
- Cavoli Beach (Elba)
- Spiaggia del Fornillo (Positano)
If any sharks were to be spotted near Italy, the local authorities would be quick to inform everyone of the potential danger.
In cases like this, red flags are placed along the coast, informing visitors that there is a strict ban on entering the water.
This applies not just to swimming, but to boating or jet skiing as well.
The red flag can indicate concerns about sharks, undertows, rough waters, or even bacteria.
So it’s always a good idea to pay attention to the notices that are posted around the beach, as well as on the government website.
Interesting Facts About Sharks in Italy
We have put together a quick section on fun and interesting facts about sharks in Italy. We found #3 to be quite fascinating!
1. Sharks play a role in keeping oceans healthy.
Sharks play an important role in keeping our oceans healthy.
By preying on sick and old marine life, they help to prevent the spread of disease.
Their 💩 poop also brings important nutrients up to the surface of the oceans, helping phytoplankton to grow, and thus producing the oxygen that we need to breathe!
2. The largest species of shark grows up to 18 meters long.
Whale sharks are the largest of all sharks and can grow up to 18 meters (60 feet) long.
The next largest shark species include basking sharks, megamouth sharks, tiger sharks, and great white sharks, many of which can be found off the coast of Italy.
3. Some sharks go through an incredible amount of teeth in their lifetimes.
Great white sharks have approximately five rows of teeth, which equals about 300 teeth in their mouth at any one time!
But what is fascinating, is that these teeth are continually replaced.
So over the span of a Great White shark’s lifetime, it can actually go through more than 20,000 teeth!
4. Many sharks found in Italy are warm-blooded.
While most sharks are cold-blooded, there are actually 5 species that are partially warm-blooded.
Great white sharks, shortfin makos, longfin makos, porbeagles, and salmon sharks are able to raise their body temperature above the water temperature, allowing them to move faster when hunting.
5. Over 100 million sharks are killed worldwide each year.
Not really a fun fact about sharks, but definitely important to mention. Approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year.
Shark populations are in a steep decline, with more than 300 species now classified as threatened.
Many are killed for the shark fin trade or for their meat and liver oil, with sharks also getting accidentally caught in fishing gear.
But with populations down 71% in the last 50 years, people need to start thinking more about conservation.
Are There Sharks in Sicily – FAQs
Out of all the sharks that can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, the most dangerous shark appearing near Sicily is the Shortfin Mako shark.
Yes. Sicilian beaches are gorgeous and quite safe to swim in. There are usually signs posted by the government, should the water be unsafe for some reason (i.e. sharks, bacteria, rough water).
Yes. The Amalfi Coast has a variety of interesting marine life including dolphins, sharks and barracuda. But the best-known animal in the waters of the Gulf of Sorrento is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
Because Great white sharks prefer cold to mild temperatures, their greatest numbers can be found in South Africa, Australia, California and Mexico.
Calamosche is where you will find the nicest beach in Sicily. Not only is this little-known beach off the beaten path, but it also sits next to a nature reserve. The crystal clear waters of Calamosche are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Although Italy has the most recorded shark attacks of any country in Europe, there have only been 50 recorded shark attacks, 11 of which were fatal, since 1900.
This would really depend on the size of the shark. Sharks much smaller than a great white can definitely swim in 3 feet of water. In fact, the Spiny Dogfish (a.k.a. mud shark) and Hammerheads both love the shallow coastal areas and can be found hunting in water as low as 1ft deep.
Are There Sharks in Sicily – Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed learning all about sharks and where they can be found in and around Italy.
So the next time you are heading to the beach, you know that although there are sharks in Sicily, you really don’t need to be worried about getting attacked.
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