There are about 20 recorded species of shark in Bahrain. Commonly seen sharks include the milk shark, the whitecheek shark, and the grey sharpnose shark. While sightings of certain aggressive species like the bull shark and the tiger shark do occur, attacks appear to be relatively rare.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Bahrain
Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Arabian Carpetshark | 2-3 feet | Not aggressive |
Arabian Smooth-hound | 4.9-4.92 feet | Not aggressive |
Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Bull Shark | 7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Great Hammerhead Shark | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
Grey Sharpnose Shark | 2.3-2.9 feet | Not aggressive |
Hardnose Shark | 3.5-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
Hooktooth Shark | 2.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Milk Shark | 3.6-3.7 feet | Not aggressive |
Pigeye Shark | 6.2-8.2 feet | Not aggressive (but potentially dangerous) |
Sandbar Shark | 5.5-8.5 feet | Not aggressive |
Slender Weasel Shark | 1.57-1.6 feet | Not aggressive |
Sliteye Shark | 2-2.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Snaggletooth Shark | 7.8-7.9 feet | Not aggressive |
Spinner Shark | 7 -8 feet | Not aggressive |
Spot-tail Shark | 5-5.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Tawny Nurse Shark | 9.6-10 feet | Not aggressive |
Whale Shark | 18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Whitecheek Shark | 3.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Zebra Shark | 8.2-11 feet | Not aggressive |
FAQs
1. Do shark attacks occur in Bahrain?
While data remains sparse, there was apparently a fatal shark attack that occurred while pearl diving.
2. Do great white sharks live in the waters around Bahrain?
Great whites have yet to be spotted close to Bahrain.