The 7 Deadliest Sharks in the UK

If you’re seeking adrenaline, shark diving is for you! Nothing is more exhilarating than getting up close to some of the biggest fish in the ocean. These magnificent creatures are bigger than busses and certainly one of the ocean’s most incredible sights. 

There is a lot of fear surrounding sharks and while they are very powerful fish, they deserve our respect. Here at Oyster Diving we seek to break the stereotype of fear surrounding diving with sharks in the UK. 

So, with that in mind (and not trying to put you off shark diving), here are the most notorious sharks currently dominating our seas!

1. Basking Shark – Scotland, Channel Islands

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - basking shark

Basking sharks may look terrifying, but in reality they’re actually one of the more placid sharks in the UK waters. Known as the ‘gentle giants’ of the shark world, the basking shark is the second largest fish on the planet.

They can grow up to 27ft in length and weigh around 2,200 kg. They’re very slow swimmers, averaging 2.5mph as they move through the water. Due to their immense size, they don’t have many predators, aside from Killer Whales, Great Whites, and humans.

If you want to catch a glimpse of one of these colossal creatures. we offer the unique chance to swim with sharks in Scotland. 

2. Blue Shark – South Coast, Cornwall, England

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - Blue Shark

Cornwall is one of our most favoured diving areas and ranks 4th in the best UK diving locations of 2017! It is here that the Blue Shark can be found. This elegant shark is known for its large eyes and pointy noise. 

Blue Sharks aren’t widely known for threatening to humans. However, although they usually dominate tropical waters, Blue sharks have been known to sneak into British waters when the climate suits them. So, it is worth keeping an eye out. Contact us if you want to swim with blue sharks in Cornwall. 

3. Oceanic White-Tip Shark – Cornwall

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - White Tip Shark

The Oceanic White-Tip Shark is quite the excitable fish and one that has been seen hovering around the British Isles, despite preferring the open ocean waters. White-tip sharks can be quite aggressive, and at 7-foot long, you don’t want to aggravate them! While only a few sightings have been recorded in the UK they are frequently seen in the Bay of Biscay – which is only 200 miles from Britain. Go shark diving with these incredible creatures and get up close to the oceanic white-tip shark! 

4. Angel Shark – Bristol Channel, Cardigan Bay

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - Angel Shark

Arguably the most common shark in UK waters, this sly shark lies on the seabed waiting for its unsuspecting prey to swim into its mouth. There are a total of 22 species of Angel Shark and they are usually spotted within the Bristol Channel. Dive in Britain with Oyster Diving and discover the beauty of these sharks for yourself. 

5. Nurse Shark – English Channel

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - Nurse Shark

This is another warm water fish that has somehow made the UK its second home. Its natural habitat lies within the Atlantic Ocean, and it usually prefers shallow waters, between 9-10 feet in depth.

By day, Nurse Sharks sleep under rocks, caverns and reefs. And when night approaches, they come out to feed. If you’re shark diving in the UK, don’t be surprised if you bump into one of these. While they’re not the most common shark, the number of sightings has been steadily rising over the last few years. 

6. Sharpnose Sevengill Shark – Ireland, Cornwall

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - Sharpnose Sevengill Shark

These top the ‘most vicious’ list of sharks in the UK. Thriving in the deep sea, these sharks grow to a maximum of 5ft, and regularly stray into shallow waters. However, surprisingly, they do not pose a threat to humans. This is due to their diminutive nature. The Sharpnose has been sighted off the coast of Ireland and again in Cornwall.

7. Shortfin Mako Shark – Sussex, Wales

Deadliest Sharks in Britain - Shortfin Mako Shark

Britain’s fastest summer visitor, the Mako appears along the south coast of Britain. Arguably the most dangerous shark in the UK, the Mako can grow up to 12 feet in length. When water temperatures are warmer, Mako Sharks have been spotted in UK waters, most commonly along the south coast. At Oyster Diving, we do plenty of diving in the UK, offering you the chance to dive with some of Britain’s most notorious sharks! 

Book Oyster Diving Today and Experience Swimming with Sharks 

Diving with sharks should be a fun and adrenaline-filled experience. At Oyster, we guarantee you’ll be in safe hands, and we boast some of the most phenomenal shark diving experiences within the UK. So, what are you waiting for? See what diving trips we have in store this summer!

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