Sharks in Croatia: Is it Dangerous to Swim?

Are you a fan of swimming but wondering about sharks in Croatia?

What comes to mind when you hear the word shark? Excitement, fear, panic? People have been afraid of these old sea creatures for a long time but still love to swim in the sea at their favorite holiday spot. So what about sharks in Croatia?

Even though sharks are very interesting, they often make beachgoers and people who like to swim in the water wonder if it’s safe to swim.

In this post, I’ll tell you more about Croatia, a beautiful country situated in the Balkans.

Croatia is known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue water. But does it also have sharks? And if that’s the case, should you be worried?

Let’s find out!

Is it safe to swim in Croatian sea?

First of all, to answer the most important question: yes, it is safe to swim in the Croatian Sea.

When it comes to sharks, the Adriatic Sea is thought to be one of the safest places in the world because its water is clear and blue-green and it has a lot of marine life.

I can tell you that millions of people visit Croatia every year, mostly to swim and do water sports on its beautiful beaches, quiet bays, and charming old towns along its coast.

The good thing is that many dangerous shark species don’t really like the Adriatic Sea because it isn’t hot or warm. Instead, it has a milder climate, which tends to bring in smaller, less dangerous species.

So, you might see some sharks, but they probably aren’t the dangerous ones or the ones that you should be afraid of!

There is a great way to explore the marine life in Croatia around the Island of Krk! It’s a 4-hour excursion. Great value for your money! You can book your tour by clicking on the link below:

✅ Nightsnorkeling around the island of Krk!

Are there sharks around Croatia?

Even though the Adriatic Sea isn’t a great place to find dangerous sharks, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any there. In the seas around Croatia, there are many species, but most of them are harmless to people.

The small-spotted catshark, the blackmouth catshark, and the spiny dogfish (a very tasty fish to eat) are all common types of fish. These are smaller types of sharks that eat mostly fish and other small sea creatures.

Large sharks are rarely seen, and when they are, they usually don’t pose a threat to people on the beach or to you as a swimmer.

Have there been shark attacks in Croatia?

When it comes to sharks, Croatia is a very safe place. In the last 100 years, there have only been a few known shark attacks, and none of them were fatal!

It’s interesting to learn that simple things like going to the beach are more dangerous than swimming in the water in Croatia.

There is a very small chance of being attacked by a shark here, so it shouldn’t stop you from having fun times on the Croatian beaches.

When was the last shark sighting in Croatia?

In 2019, a blue shark was seen near the island of Vis. This was the last major shark sighting in Croatia.

Even though it looks scary, the blue shark usually stays away from people and doesn’t attack them unless they provoke it.

This sighting was more exciting than scary for both the local people living there and the visitors who came to check it out.

Sharks in Croatia: FAQs

Let’s look at some of the most common questions about sharks in Croatia to help you understand them better.

What type of sharks are in Croatia?

Several kinds of sharks live in the Adriatic Sea. Most of these animals are safe for people and will leave you alone. Here are some of the most common sharks you’ll find in the Croatian waters:

1. Small-spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula):

As its name suggests, this small shark has many spots on its belly. It is generally less than one meter long and doesn’t hurt people.

2. Blackmouth Catshark (Galeus melastomus):

This shark is about the same size as the small-spotted catshark, and it is also not dangerous to people. Its name comes from the fact that the inside of its mouth is black.

3. Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias):

This shark, also called the spurdog, can grow up to 1.60 meters long but is usually not dangerous to people. One spine is in front of each of its lateral fins.

4. Smooth-hound Shark (Mustelus mustelus):

This shark can grow up to 2 metres long! Even though it’s pretty big, it usually doesn’t pose a threat to people.

5. Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca):

I know that Stingrays aren’t sharks, but they are in the same family (Elasmobranchii) and also live in the waters of Croatia. They don’t usually attack, but they can if they feel threatened.

Luckily, for you as a swimmer, I can reassure you that the Adriatic Sea is not a place where big, dangerous sharks like to hang out much. Most sharks in these seas are small and shy, so they don’t pose much of a threat to people.

However, I would always advise treating these animals with respect and care as well as keeping a safe distance, just like you would with any other wild animal.

Are there sharks in Croatia Zadar?

Sharks do live in the water around Zadar, as they do around other coastal towns in Croatia.

But most of these species are small and harmless, and they don’t usually interfere with people.

Are you thinking of spending your holidays at one of the beautiful beaches in Zadar? Check out my post about the 13 best beaches in Zadar!

Are there sharks in Croatia Dubrovnik?

The same thing goes for Dubrovnik, another very hot tourist spot. There are sharks in these waters, but they are small types that don’t pose much of a threat to you.

Are there sharks in Porec Croatia?

Yes, sharks can also be found in the water around Porec, but they are rarely seen and are not dangerous. Similar species can be found in other parts of the Croatian coast.

Are there Great White sharks in Croatia?

The great white shark is often scary and mysterious at the same time, don’t you think?

However, it doesn’t hang out in the Adriatic Sea very often. Great white sharks haven’t been seen much, if at all, in Croatian seas in the past few years. And that’s good news, right?

The Wrap-Up: Sharks in Croatia

It’s a wrap!

So, what about sharks in Croatia?

Sharks definitely do live in the waters of Croatia, but they don’t pose much of a threat to surfers or if you’re someone enjoying water sports.

Most sharks are small and won’t bother you. Shark attacks are extremely rare. The lovely Adriatic Sea in Croatia is a safe and attractive place to swim, snorkel, and dive, due to its clear waters and lots of sea life.

So, the next time you plan a trip to Croatia, don’t let your fear of sharks keep you from seeing the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Just enjoy the abundance of beaches, water, and sun.

You’re probably not going to see any sharks in Croatia unless you go to a zoo or look at them in an aquarium.

Thinking of planning a trip to Croatia? Check out my post about 10 tips for traveling to Croatia!

And did you ever wonder what the national animal of Croatia is? I can already tell you, it isn’t the shark. Find out what it is in my blog about Croatia’s national animal as a symbol of the country!

Interested in this topic? Check out my post about shark attacks in Greece!

Your restless voyager,

Dustin