Chile’s waters are not home to a wide variety of sharks. However, several shark species are endemic to Chile, including the appropriately named Chilean angelshark and catshark. Other species seen around the country are the bluntnose sixgill shark, the humpback smoothhound, and the narrowmouthed catshark.
Most of these species congregate around the part of Chile that falls under the Patagonian region.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Chile
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Bluntnose Sixgill Shark | 15-20 feet | Moderately aggressive (rarely targets humans, reports of just one provoked attack) |
| Chilean Angelshark | 3.4-3.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Chilean Catshark | 0.98-2.16 feet | Not aggressive |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Humpback Smooth-hound | 2.8-2.83 feet | Not aggressive |
| Narrowmouthed Catshark | 2.2-3 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Chile >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in Chile?
There have been seven unprovoked shark attacks in Chile, four of which were fatal. The most recent one was in 1994, 300 miles east of Easter Island.
2. Can you go shark diving in Chile?
Yes, there are spots where one can go diving with sharks.
3. Are there great white sharks in Chile?
While very rare, great whites are sometimes seen off the coast of Chile while migrating. However, several paleo nurseries have been discovered that were potentially used by great whites in older eras when the waters were warmer.
