25. September 2026
Research & Tech
Portugal – Shark diving
Experience shark diving in Portugal – encounter blue sharks and mako sharks off the coast of Sesimbra and Peniche.
News from Portugal
19. September 2026
Research & Tech, Shark sightingsGreat white, not megalodon: fossil tooth documents its presence in Portugal
7. August 2026
Research & TechAzores: Study finds conflict between shark tourism and fishing
Shark species in Portugal
Basking shark
Cetorhinus maximusBigeye thresher
Alopias superciliosusBlackmouth catshark
Galeus melastomusBlacktip shark
Carcharhinus limbatusBlue shark
Prionace glaucaBluntnose sixgill shark
Hexanchus griseusBronze whaler shark
Carcharhinus brachyurus
Common smooth-hound
Mustelus mustelusCommon thresher shark
Alopias vulpinusDusky shark
Carcharhinus obscurusFalse catshark
Pseudotriakis microdonFrilled shark
Chlamydoselachus anguineus
Dive centers in Portugal
Are there sharks in Portugal?
Yes, there are sharks in Portugal. They live off the mainland’s Atlantic coast and around the Azores and Madeira. The best-known species include blue sharks, makos, catsharks, hammerheads and various deep-water sharks. Basking sharks, whale sharks and great white sharks have also been recorded in Portuguese waters, but are much rarer there.
Are there great white sharks in Portugal?
Yes, great white sharks have been recorded in Portuguese waters, but sightings are rare. These waters include the Azores, which belong to Portugal: in July 2024 a great white shark was filmed at Princess Alice Bank off Faial. This dive site lies far out in the Atlantic. A single sighting establishes neither a regularly present group of great whites nor frequent occurrence at mainland Portuguese beaches.