The Bahamas is home to several species of sharks. Notably, Cat Island plays host to the world’s largest aggregation of oceanic whitetip sharks. Besides that, other common sharks seen include the nurse shark, the tiger shark, and certain hammerhead and reef sharks.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in the Bahamas
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Bull Shark |
7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Caribbean Reef Shark |
8-9 feet | Not aggressive |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
Lemon Shark |
9-10 feet | Not aggressive |
Nurse Shark |
7-8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 10-13 feet | Highly aggressive |
Silky Shark |
7-10 feet | Highly aggressive |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
Whale Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Bahamas >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in the Bahamas?
Yes, there have been shark attacks in the Bahamas though they have been infrequent. The most recent one was by a bull shark which attacked a 58-year-old during a snorkeling incident.
2. Are the sharks in the Bahamas endangered or going extinct?
Some of the sharks are protected in a sanctuary to keep them from going extinct.
3. Can you go cage diving with sharks in the Bahamas?
Yes, shark diving and snorkeling occur in the Bahamas in places like Nassau. The tiger shark is a popular choice for tourists.
4. Are there great white sharks in the Bahamas?
No, great white sharks do not live in the area around the Bahamas.
6. Do whale sharks live in the Bahamas?
Yes, diving with whale sharks is quite common in the Bahamas.
