Sharks in the Mediterranean: What It Means for Costa Blanca Swimmers

Picture this: You’re waist-deep in that impossibly clear turquoise water off Javea or Moraira, the sun warming your shoulders, a cold glass of sangria waiting back on the terrace. Then, out of nowhere, your brain whispers… wait, are there sharks here?

We’ve all had that thought. Especially now in mid-June, when the sea is calling, and the beaches are filling up. So let’s talk about it properly — no sensational headlines, just the straight scoop from someone who’s spent years splashing around these coves with a dog who thinks every wave is a personal invitation to play.

Yes, there are sharks in our Mediterranean waters… but breathe easy.

The Marina Alta’s stretch of coast — from Dénia through Javea, Calpe, and beyond — sits in the western Mediterranean, home to around 50 shark species. Most are small, shy, and completely harmless to humans. Think catsharks, dogfish, and the occasional blue shark gliding further offshore.

The big headline-maker? A few years back, fishermen accidentally caught a juvenile great white (about 2 metres long) roughly 20 miles off the coast between Dénia and Xàbia. Scientists confirmed it recently, adding to the very short list of verified great white records in the Spanish Mediterranean waters. These apex predators are rare “ghost” visitors here — not a resident population hunting beachgoers.

The numbers that actually matter:

Shark attacks in the entire Mediterranean are extremely rare. We’re talking a handful of incidents over decades across thousands of kilometres of coastline. Fatal ones? Even rarer. Spain’s track record is one of the safest in the region. You’re far more likely to stub your toe on a rock or get a mild sunburn than have any shark-related drama.

Local beaches keep their Blue Flag status for a reason. The water here is clean and monitored, and the fish populations (including the occasional shark) are part of what makes the ecosystem healthy.

Practical tips so you can swim worry-free:

Stick to busier, lifeguarded beaches during the day — sharks tend to be more active at dawn/dusk or in deeper, murkier spots. Avoid swimming with open wounds or shiny jewellery (they can mistake it for fish scales). If you see a school of fish jumping or birds diving, it might mean something bigger is feeding nearby — just head back calmly. Snoopy’s rule: If the dog’s happily chasing waves, you’re probably grand.

Our hidden coves and rocky inlets are still the best spots for a peaceful dip — just respect the sea as the locals do.

The bigger truth? The real “dangers” on a Marina Alta beach day are forgetting the sunscreen, underestimating the current around the Peñón, or drinking too much sangria before a hike. The sharks? They’re mostly minding their own business, same as us.

So go ahead — book that boat trip, pack the picnic, and float in those stunning waters. This coast is magical precisely because it’s wild and alive. Just keep an eye on the flags, listen to the lifeguards, and enjoy every minute.

And join the Friday newsletter for more real-talk tips, upcoming fiestas, and the kind of local secrets that make this place feel like home.

Salud and safe swimming, friends!

See you on the terrace, Joanne

Sun Sea Sangria.