A rare marine encounter occurred at Alykes beach in Anavyssos, Attica, when a three-meter mako shark was spotted swimming just 300 meters from the shore.
Passengers on an inflatable boat noticed the shark in the sea on Wednesday, drawing attention from people nearby as the large predator moved close to a popular beach area.
The animal was identified as a mako shark, a species known for its impressive speed and physical abilities. Despite the initial concern among swimmers, the incident ended without any problems.
The shark reportedly moved parallel to the coastline before swimming away, with no interaction with people and no threat to beachgoers.
How dangerous is a mako shark?
Although mako sharks are among the most impressive shark species, experts say the risk to ordinary swimmers is extremely low.
The species is considered the fastest shark in the world, capable of reaching speeds of more than 70 kilometers per hour, and has powerful jaws. However, attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only 10 unprovoked attacks recorded worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF).
Humans are not part of the mako shark’s natural diet. When these sharks approach people, it is usually believed to be out of curiosity or exploration rather than aggressive behavior.
Mako sharks are typically open-water species that live and hunt in deeper waters away from the coast, making sightings close to swimmers an unusual occurrence.
The main risks arise when the animal is threatened, trapped, or provoked. Most injuries involving mako sharks are linked to fishermen who have caught them in nets or on hooks, as the sharks can make powerful movements while trying to escape.
