Sharks generally do not venture close to the beaches of Vanuatu. Still, quite a few species live in the ocean surrounding the country. Most shark sightings occur off the islands of Malekula and Santo, with common species including whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, silvertip sharks, and common thresher sharks.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Vanuatu
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Bigeye Thresher Shark | 11-16 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blackbelly Lantern Shark | 1-1.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blue Shark | 6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bramble Shark | 9.2-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| Cookiecutter Shark | 1.5-3.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Common Thresher Shark | 12-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Galapagos Shark | 9.8-12 ft | Highly aggressive |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Leopard Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Longsnout Dogfish | 2.9-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Mandarin Dogfish | 2.8-3.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 10-13 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Porbeagle Shark | 6-12 feet | Not aggressive |
| Shortfin Mako Shark | 6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sicklefin Lemon Shark | 10-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Silky Shark | 7-10 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Silvertip Shark | 6.6-9.8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Whale Shark | 18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
| Whitetip Reef Shark | 3-5.5 feet | Moderately aggressive (only when provoked) |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Vanuatu >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in Vanuatu?
The last fatal shark attack in Vanuatu was in 2005. A nine-foot-long shark of an unidentified species attacked 7-year-old Alysha Margaret Webster. After this incident, there have not been any recorded instances of a shark attack in Vanuatu.
2. Can you go cage diving with sharks in Vanuatu?
There are certain places in Vanuatu where one can go diving with sharks, but it is best to do so under supervision.
3. Are there great white sharks in Vanuatu?
Great white sharks have been occasionally spotted close to Vanuatu; however, these sharks remain uncommon.
