There are several shark species living in Malaysia. Common species include bamboo sharks, reef sharks, and hammerheads.
These sharks live in habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and open water. Out of all the shark species living in the country, only the whale shark is protected under the Fisheries Act 1985.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Malaysia
| Species | Maximum
Size |
Aggressiveness |
| Arabian Smooth-hound | 4.9-4.92 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blackspot Shark | 3-3.1 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blackspotted Catshark | 1.5-1.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Blacktip Reef Shark |
3-4 feet | Moderately aggressive (if provoked) |
Blue Shark |
6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bluntnose Six-gill Shark | 15-20 feet | Moderately aggressive (rarely targets humans, reports of just one provoked attack) |
| Borneo Shark | 2-2.1 feet | Not aggressive |
Brownbanded Bamboo Shark |
3.3-3.41 feet | Not aggressive |
Bull Shark |
7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Coral Catshark |
2-2.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Gecko Catshark | 1.2-1.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Graceful Shark | 5.5-5.6 feet | Not aggressive (potentially dangerous) |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
Grey Bamboo Shark |
2.3-2.5 feet | Not aggressive |
Gray Reef Shark |
4-5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Grey Sharpnose Shark | 2.3-2.9 feet | Not aggressive |
| Hardnose Shark | 3.5-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark | 1.96-1.97 feet | Not aggressive |
| Hooktooth Shark | 2.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Milk Shark |
3.6-3.7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 10-13 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Ocellated Angelshark | 2-2.1 feet | Not aggressive |
Pelagic Thresher Shark |
13-18 feet | Not aggressive |
Sandbar Shark |
5.5-8.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sarawak Smooth-hound | 2-2.1 feet | Not aggressive |
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark |
9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Sharpnose Sevengill Shark |
2-4.6 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Shortfin Mako Shark |
6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Shortnose Spurdog | 1.46-1.85 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sicklefin Weasel Shark | 3.5-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
Silky Shark |
7-10 feet | Highly aggressive |
Silvertip Shark |
6.6-9.8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Slender Bamboo Shark | 2.1-2.2 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sliteye Shark | 2-2.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Smallfin Gulper Shark | 3.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous) |
| Snaggletooth Shark | 7.8-7.9 feet | Not aggressive |
| Spadenose Shark | 2-2.4 feet | Not aggressive |
Spinner Shark |
7 -8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Spot-tail Shark | 5-5.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Starry Smooth-hound | 4-4.7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Straight-tooth Weasel Shark | 2.8-2.9 feet | Not aggressive |
Tawny Nurse Shark |
9.6-10 feet | Not aggressive |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
Whale Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
| White Spotted Bamboo Shark | 2-3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Whitecheek Shark | 3.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
Whitetip Reef Shark |
3-5.5 feet | Moderately aggressive (only when provoked) |
| Winghead Shark | 6-6.2 feet | Not aggressive |
Zebra Shark |
8.2-11 feet | Not aggressive |
| Zebra Bullhead Shark | 4-4.1 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Malaysia >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in Malaysia?
There have been only a few recorded shark attacks in Malaysian waters, none of which were fatal.
2. Are there great white sharks in Malaysia?
Great white sharks are not native to Malaysia, but as they are animals known for migrating over long ranges, there can be an occasional sighting or two.
3. Can I go diving with sharks in Malaysia?
Yes, in South Ari Atoll, you can go snorkeling or diving with whale sharks year-round.
