The country of South Africa is home to several of the deadliest species of sharks and ranks 2nd in total shark attacks globally. The deadliest species of sharks in South Africa known for attacking humans are the bull shark, the tiger shark, and the dreaded great white. All three are known for their aggressive behavior and tendency to hunt near the shore. So if a shark has been spotted on a beach nearby, it would be unwise to go into the water that day.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in South Africa
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Arrowhead Dogfish | 2.4-2.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Blue Shark |
6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
Broadnose Sevengill Shark |
3.5-7.5 feet | Not aggressive (unless caught) |
Bull Shark |
7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
Copper Shark |
11-12 feet | Not aggressive |
Dusky Shark |
9 -12 feet | Not aggressive (until provoked) |
| Frilled Shark | 5.6-6.6 feet | Not aggressive |
Goblin Shark |
7-8 feet | Not aggressive |
Great White Shark |
11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
Puffadder Shyshark |
1.58-2.25 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pyjama Shark | 3.5-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark |
9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| School Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sharptooth Houndshark | 5.5-5.6 feet | Not aggressive |
Shortfin Mako Shark |
6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Shortnose Spurdog | 1.46-1.85 feet | Not aggressive |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous) |
| Southern African Frilled Shark | 3.25-3.83 feet | Not aggressive |
| Spiny Dogfish | 2.5-3.5 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small size) |
Tiger Shark |
10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in South Africa >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in South Africa?
South Africa is known for its shark attacks. The most recent one occurred on September 25th, 2022, in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. A great white grabbed 39-year-old Kimon “Kiki” Bisogno and dragged her underwater. Her body would be recovered 50 yards from where the shark grabbed her.
2. Are the sharks in South Africa endangered or going extinct?
Sharks are at risk around South Africa, the most notable reasons being overfishing and pollution.
3. Can you go swimming with sharks in South Africa?
There are plenty of places to go swimming or cage diving with sharks.
4. Are there great white sharks in South Africa?
South Africa was once known as the “great white capital” of the world, where these giant beasts would flourish. However, the arrival of two killer whales has led to a sharp decline in population as they constantly hunt these sharks for food. This has caused the great white sharks to avoid the areas where these orcas have been spotted.
