There are three seas surrounding the country of Turkey – The Aegean, the Black, and the Mediterranean. While all three seas are home to various shark species (the Mediterranean alone is home to about 50), they rarely venture close to human locations.
Sharks do not like to feed on humans as we do not provide sufficient nourishment compared to the high-fat content of animals like seals. Most unprovoked shark attacks result from mistaken identity combined with the shark biting unknown objects in its surroundings out of curiosity. However, even when the beaches around Turkey are crowded, there have been few shark attacks, with only four recorded attacks.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Turkey
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Angel Shark | 4-7 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Blue Shark |
6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
Copper Shark |
11-12 feet | Not aggressive |
Great White Shark |
11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
Sandbar Shark |
5.5-8.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous) |
Spinner Shark |
7 -8 feet | Not aggressive |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Turkey >>
FAQs
1. Are there sharks in the cities of Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Marmaris?
Yes, sharks have been spotted in those Turkish cities.
2. Do great white sharks live in the waters around Turkey?
Yes, great whites have been seen in the Mediterranean.
