The video begins with the wake already forming a wide “V” on the water. The shark is quickly making its way to the boat, and it’s clear that everyone on board is excited. The wake comes closer and closer before disappearing, and the shark passes off the starboard side of the boat. What was once curiosity and excitement turns to apprehension as the massive shark nearly surfaces on the side of the boat. The thickly built shark passes under the boat, giving us a good look at its size. This fish probably measured between 15 and 20 feet long, and it certainly weighs a few thousand pounds. However, it’s important to mention that the passengers on this ship did not see a Hollywood shark in real life. What passed by their boat was a basking shark. These are some of the biggest sharks in the world, second only to the whale shark. They can measure over 25 feet long and weigh 10,000 pounds or more. They are filter feeders, meaning they don’t have the fearsome teeth and aggression of a great white. Basking sharks don’t bother humans even though they are big enough to swallow one. Also, they swim near the surface (hence the “basking” in their name), so they create large wakes. However, they’re not trying to find human victims, they’re only trying to find some plankton or other food. While it was certainly scary to see the wake this monster shark created, nobody was in any danger. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to bother wildlife, though.
Watch More Close Calls with Sharks
Do you want to see other times humans got a little too close for comfort with sharks? Take a look at these videos!
Enormous Shark Approaches Sailboat in New England, Passengers in Awe. Another case of a basking shark making people second-guess their choice to get aboard a boat.Meet an Incredible Woman Who Has Removed 300 Hooks from Shark Mouths. Someone risks their life to save sharks.Must See: Great White Shark Stalks Diver to Surface. Get a very close look at how lucky this diver was to escape from the jaws of a great white.
