Right, let's have a real chat about sharks in Cyprus. Because the stuff people worry about is just… not the real story. Not even close.
Seriously, What Shark Attacks?
I swear, every tourist who comes here does the same thing. They get this kind of far-off look, staring at the water, even when it's like glass. You just know what's playing in their head. It's that damn movie music. And sure enough, the question always comes: 'you guys get any shark attacks around here? And I honestly have to stop myself from laughing. What shark attacks? Seriously. There was ONE weird story from 1901. One. We're not even sure it was real. So if you're worried about shark attacks, you're worrying about something that just doesn't happen here. It's a movie plot, not a reality for swimmers. Let's move on.
So, What’s Actually Down There?
So what IS in the water? Yeah, of course there are sharks. It's a sea. But they're not the ones you think. The sharks species here are the shy kind. The kind that live miles out in the deep, deep water and want nothing to do with us. I'm talking about things like blue sharks. Beautiful, fast, open-ocean animals. Blue sharks not hanging around the beach. Same with the thresher sharks, with those crazy long tails. You might occasionally hear a fisherman mention a sandbar shark, but even those are phantoms. These are not the famous sharks of TV. When the local news panics over a rare sighting, it's almost always a lone sandbar shark that maybe got a bit lost.
And About That Great White Myth...
And then there's the big one. The question everyone eventually asks. "But what about great white sharks?". Please. Just no. That's a Hollywood shark. A California shark. A South Africa shark. Is it technically possible for a white shark to be in the Mediterranean? I guess, in the same way it's technically possible to win the lottery. There might be a few ancient ones way over by Italy, but here? In our corner of the Med? Forget it. Worrying about a white shark in Cyprus is a total waste of a good holiday. The few remaining great white sharks in the Med have bigger things to worry about than us.
The Story That Actually Matters
Okay. So now that we've established that you're not going to get eaten by Jaws, can I tell you about the REAL shark story here? The one that actually matters?
It's about the angel sharks. These aren't your typical-looking sharks. They're flat, they bury themselves in the sand, and they are some of the most gentle, incredible creatures you could imagine. And they are almost gone forever. Cyprus is literally one of their last safe spots on the entire planet. Not an exaggeration. Their populations have been destroyed everywhere else. And they're still in danger here, mostly from getting accidentally caught in fishing nets.
This is the actual story. Not fake shark attacks, but the very real fight to save the angel sharks. These beautiful animals need our help. Badly. Look, there are people fighting for them. The Shark Trust, for instance. These guys aren't just sitting in an office. They are out there, actually doing science. They talk to the fishing crews, man to man. Anything it takes, you know? All of it just for a shot at making sure the last of the angel sharks don't just... disappear on our watch. The Shark Trust knows how critical this place is. So when you hear "sharks Cyprus," you shouldn't think of teeth. You should think of these poor angel sharks just trying to survive.
So please, stop worrying. Enjoy the water. But maybe give a little thought to the creatures that are truly in danger. They're not a threat to us. We, accidentally, are a huge threat to them. And we can change that. The whole Shark Trust community is trying. And it all starts by swapping that silly fear for a little bit of respect.
Read also:
- Can You Drink Tap Water in Cyprus: Is It Safe?
- The Cypriot pace of life — how the island teaches you to slow down and live in the moment
- Cyprus for remote workers — pros and cons, places and cafés for comfortable work
- How to Get a Cyprus Driving Licence - Full Guide
- Real Estate Options for Digital Nomads in Paphos
