Located off the coast of northwest Africa, the Canary Islands are known for their diverse landscapes and stunning natural beauty.
From black volcanic beaches to golden shores with clear waters, these Spanish islands offer a range of beach options for visitors.
The warm waters surrounding the islands are home to various marine life such as colorful fish and dolphins, with sharks like angel sharks and smooth hounds being more common than aggressive species.
Vacationers can enjoy snorkeling and diving in these waters with peace of mind, as encounters with sharks are rare and generally pose little threat.
With year-round sunny weather and captivating ocean views, the Canary Islands provide a safe and beautiful destination for those looking to enjoy the coastal nature of Spain.
Understanding our data at Canary Islands
In our comprehensive overview of canary islands, the data presented in this article is compiled from a variety of public sources, providing a consolidated view of shark encounters by beach.
As you explore the data, it is important to note that while we have organized the information by specific areas, neighboring areas may also have their own detailed posts.
We encourage you to utilize the search function on our website to discover unique posts that may pertain to nearby locations.
Given the unpredictable and often chaotic circumstances surrounding shark attacks, some of the details within our tables have been inferred post-incident.
This is a common practice in the documentation of such events, due to factors like the rapid response required at the scene and the retrospective nature of assembling such data.
Our aim is to offer a resource that not only informs but also enhances awareness and safety practices for all who venture into the marine environment.
As you navigate through the information, we hope it serves as a reminder of the respect and caution that our florida beaches command.
Recorded Attack #1
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Famara Beach, Lanzarote
Date
2020-05-26
Year
2020
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Playing
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
9.0
Injury
Lacerations To Both Feet
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Angel Shark
Recorded Attack #2
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Teresita, Santa Cruz, Tenerife
Date
2014-07-20
Year
2014
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Wading
Name
Child
Sex
N/A
Age
N/A
Injury
Minor Injury
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Angel Shark
Recorded Attack #3
Area
Canary Islands
Location
El Escabonal, Tenerife
Date
1930-08-16
Year
1930
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Swimming
Name
Cecil Bethencourt
Sex
M
Age
38
Injury
Leg Bitten
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #4
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Tazacorte, La Palma
Date
1908-07-18
Year
1908
Type
Invalid
Country
Spain
Activity
N/A
Name
N/A
Sex
N/A
Age
N/A
Injury
Human Remains Recovered But Shark Involvement Prior To Death Unconfirmed
Fatal
Unknown
Time
N/A
Species
Questionable
Recorded Attack #5
Area
Canary Islands
Location
N/A
Date
1963-12-22
Year
1963
Type
Invalid
Country
Atlantic Ocean
Activity
Greek Steamship Lakonia Caught Fire, 98 Of Her 646 Passengers, And 30 Of Her Crew Of 376 Perished
Name
Woman
Sex
F
Age
N/A
Injury
One Woman Reported To Have Suffered Fish Bites, But Cause Of Her Death Was Exposure & Drowning
Fatal
Unknown
Time
N/A
Species
Invalid
Recorded Attack #6
Area
Canary Islands
Location
San Juan De La Rambla, Tenerife
Date
1980-07-26
Year
1980
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Skin Diving
Name
Fuentes Gonzalez Escualo
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Thigh Injured
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Blue Shark
Recorded Attack #7
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Tenerife
Date
N/A
Year
Z
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Skin Diving
Name
N/A
Sex
N/A
Age
N/A
Injury
Injury Required 16 Stitches
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
N/A
Recorded Attack #8
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Las Teresitas, Tenerife
Date
2016-07-08
Year
2016
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Wading
Name
Female
Sex
F
Age
10.0
Injury
5 Tiny Puncture Marks To Lower Leg, Treated With Hydrogen Peroxide
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Angel Shark
Recorded Attack #9
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Gran Canaria
Date
2017-09-16
Year
2017
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Body Surfing
Name
Male
Sex
M
Age
13.0
Injury
Lacerations To Right Foot
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Porbeagle, 1.5 M
Recorded Attack #10
Area
Canary Islands
Location
Icod De Los Vinos, Tenerife
Date
N/A
Year
1970
Type
Unprovoked
Country
Spain
Activity
Spearfishing
Name
N/A
Sex
M
Age
N/A
Injury
Minor Injury
Fatal
N
Time
N/A
Species
Blue Shark
Check Out Some Of Our Other Shark Attack Posts
Here we have 5 posts going over some other nearby beaches where shark attacks have happened
