Jamaica is not known for its large shark population. If you were to venture underwater in search of one, the only species you are likely to encounter are the nurse sharks. However, several sharks live in the deeper waters of the country.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Jamaica
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Basking Shark |
23-30 feet | Not aggressive |
Blacknose Shark |
3-5 feet | Not aggressive |
Bull Shark |
7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Caribbean Reef Shark |
8-9 feet | Not aggressive |
| Caribbean Sharpnose Shark | 3-4 feet | Highly 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 |
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark |
9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Shortfin Mako Shark |
6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
Silky Shark |
7-10 feet | Highly aggressive |
Thresher Shark |
10-18 feet | Not aggressive |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
Whale Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Jamaica >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in Jamaica?
There have been 18 or so shark attacks in Jamaica over the last century, with seven taking place in the Kingston area and three in Westmoreland. The most recent victim of a shark attack was 53-year-old fisher Donovan Haywood on May 1, 2021. He was with a group of 10 anglers after 8 a.m. in Little Bay when a tiger shark attacked, leading to him losing his arm.
2. Are the sharks in Jamaica endangered or going extinct?
Several species, like the great hammerhead, the basking shark, and the whale shark, are endangered and are likely to become extinct if not protected. The reasons for this state include overfishing in their habitat and killing them by cutting off their dorsal fin and releasing the soon-to-be dead shark back into the wild.
3. Can you swim with sharks in Jamaica?
While cage diving with sharks is not an option in Jamaica, there are places like Montego Bay and Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios where one can interact with nurse sharks that are used to human presence under the supervision of an expert.
4. Are there great white sharks in Jamaica?
No, great white sharks are not a common species in Jamaica.
