The diversity of shark species in the Philippines is quite staggering. Even a specimen of the rarely-seen megamouth shark once washed ashore in a Philippine village. More common species include the whitetip reef shark, the silvertip shark, the brownbanded bamboo shark, the sicklefin lemon shark, and the shortnose spurdog.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in the Philippines
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Big Eye Thresher Shark | 11-16 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacktip Reef Shark | 3-4 feet | Moderately aggressive (if provoked) |
| Blue Shark | 6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
| Borneo Shark | 2-2.1 feet | Not aggressive |
| Broadfin Shark | 5.7-5.74 feet | Not aggressive |
| Brownbanded Bamboo Shark | 3.3-3.41 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bull Shark | 7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Common Thresher Shark | 12-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Gray Reef Shark | 4-5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Hooktooth Shark | 2.2-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Leafscale Gulper Shark | 5-5.2 feet | Not aggressive |
| Leopard Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Longfin Mako Shark | 12-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Megamouth Shark | 13-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 5-8 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Pelagic Thresher Shark | 13-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pondicherry Shark | 3-3.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Shortfin Mako Shark | 6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sicklefin Lemon Shark | 10-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Silvertip Shark | 6.6-9.8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Snaggletooth Shark | 7.8-7.9 feet | Not aggressive |
| Speckled Catshark | 1.5-1.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Spot-tail Shark | 5-5.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Swell Shark | 2.5 – 4.5 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 |
| Whitefin Topeshark | 3-3.14 feet | Not aggressive |
| Whitetip Reef Shark | 3-5.5 feet | Moderately aggressive (only when provoked) |
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in the Philippines?
There have been several shark attacks in the Philippines, with the most recent incident in 2013. On March 10, 2013, Alvin Lovido & John Paul Mangaoang were swimming to shore on floatation devices after their boat’s engine stopped working. They were attacked by a series of “small sharks”, leading to non-fatal leg injuries.
2. Are there great white sharks in the Philippines?
While unusual, great whites are seen occasionally in the Philippines.
3. Can I swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?
There are places in the Philippines – most notably Oslob – where people can interact with whale sharks. However, the ethicality of these interactions is constantly being debated.
4. Are there tiger sharks in the Philippines?
Tiger sharks have become very rare in the Philippines. The only place where they are seen on a regular basis is the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
