Sharks of Gibraltar
All species
Smooth Hammerhead Shark

Smooth Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna zygaena

Not aggressive

The largest hammerhead found in temperate waters, with a smoothly curved head.

Maximum size

2.4–3.7 m

Aggressiveness

Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous)

Habitat

Coastal and pelagic waters; juveniles enter shallow bays.

Ecology

Forms schools that migrate through the Strait seasonally.

Feeding

Bony fish, smaller sharks, rays, cephalopods. Uses electroreception to detect buried prey.

Behaviour

Schools by day, hunts more solitarily at night.

Safety notes for visitors

Risk to swimmers: NegligibleRisk to divers: NegligibleEncounter likelihood: Possible

Species-specific: Generally avoids humans, but its size means encounters should be respected.

If you encounter one

  • Enjoy the sighting — these species are not considered dangerous to humans.
  • Keep a respectful distance; do not touch, grab or attempt to ride the animal.
  • Avoid blocking its path or cornering it against the seabed or a reef.
  • Report unusual or stranded individuals to GONHS or the Department of the Environment.

General visitor guidance

  • Swim, snorkel and dive in groups and stay close to the shore or your boat.
  • Avoid dawn, dusk and night — visibility is low and many sharks are most active.
  • Do not enter the water with open wounds or near fishing activity, bait or chum.
  • Remove shiny jewellery and avoid high-contrast clothing that can resemble prey.
  • If sharks are reported locally, follow guidance from Gibraltar Port Authority and lifeguards.

Conservation status

IUCN: Vulnerable.

Sources & Citations

Data compiled from peer-reviewed and authoritative open sources. Last reviewed 2026.