Few topics cause more anxiety among holidaymakers than sharks. Yet the reality is far less dramatic than Hollywood would have you believe.
Which shark species live in the Red Sea?
*Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)* — The most common shark in our waters. A slender, sluggish hunter that rests on the reef floor during the day. Completely harmless to humans.
*Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)* — Slightly larger, more active. Avoids humans if you stay calm.
*Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini)* — Rarely seen near the coast, occasionally spotted on deep dives. A shy deep-sea inhabitant.
*Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)* — The largest fish in the world. A filter feeder, completely harmless. An encounter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
**How dangerous are sharks really?** Worldwide, an average of just 5 people die from shark attacks per year — by comparison, around 3,000 people drown in Germany alone each year. Sharks have no natural aggression towards humans. Attacks occur almost exclusively through mistaken identity (surfers looking like seals from below).
**What should you keep in mind when snorkelling and diving?** Don't wear jewellery (it reflects light like fish scales), no open wounds in the water, calm movements, don't feed fish. That is all.
**Our verdict** Seeing a shark in the Red Sea is a privilege, not a risk. Most holidaymakers dream of it — and very few actually experience it.