You’re heading to Greece, one of the most beautiful countries in the world thanks to its picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters. The best time to visit Greece is up to your schedule, but chances are you want to indulge in the Mediterranean mecca in summer. The island nation is one of our favorite destinations, but is it one of our most dangerous? While many visitors enjoy swimming and the infinite number of water activities, some may wonder about the presence of sharks in these Mediterranean waters.
Don’t be scared or terrified of visiting some of Greece’s best islands because of sharks, however. Contrary to popular belief, sharks are not common in Greece. Read that again if you’re panicking! The Mediterranean Sea, which does include Greek waters, is home to about 47 shark species, but encounters with humans are extremely rare. Most of these sharks are deep-sea dwellers and rarely venture close to shore.
Should You Be Worried About Sharks In Greece?
Yes, the Mediterranean Sea has over 3 dozen types of sharks but the chances that you’ll spot one is pretty rare. And on the off chance that you do meet one eye-to-eye, you have very little to worry about. Why? The shark species in these waters are harmless. The most frequently spotted sharks in Greek waters include: Blue sharks, Thresher sharks, Basking sharks, and the funnily named Spiny dogfish.
Even a little bit of research shows that these species are generally not considered dangerous to humans. The blood-thirsty sharks you’re thinking of, like the one in “Jaws,” are Great White sharks. The chances of you encountering a Great White shark in Greek waters is practically impossible. If that isn’t enough to assuage your fears, here’s some hard data: Greek waters have recorded only 15 unprovoked shark attacks since 1843.
The last fatal incident was 1963. The last recorded incident with a shark in Greek waters was back in 1981 and the encounter resulted in a minor injury. This low number of fatalities is particularly striking given Greece’s extensive coastline and popularity as a tourist destination.
Why You Shouldn’t Stress About Sharks
Greece is renowned and known across the world for its beaches. The last thing the country wants is to deal with sharks infesting its water. Fortunately or unfortunately, overfishing has significantly reduced shark populations in the Mediterranean according to the WWF. Beyond overfishing, the enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea naturally limits the influx of oceanic shark species.
Perhaps most importantly, most Greek beaches have shallow, warm waters that are not ideal habitats for many shark species. So, if you’re heading to Greece: don’t worry. You’re not going to die! That being said… it’s always wise to exercise caution when swimming in any open water, Greek island or not.
