Basking sharks are passive and no danger to humans in general, but they are large animals and their skin is extremely rough, so caution is urged during any encounters.

Would a basking shark attack you?

Unlike fearsome great whites, basking sharks have relatively small hooked teeth around 1/4 inch (6mm) long which are mostly useless. They do not bite their prey, so are extremely unlikely to attack a human. However their massive size means swimmers and sailors should not get too close.

Are basking sharks dangerous to humans?

Basking sharks are the second largest shark species in the world, and the largest found in UK waters. They feed on microscopic animals called zooplankton. Despite their immense size, basking sharks are not dangerous to humans.