Where is the best place to see sharks in Ireland?

Basking sharks spend their winters around the warm waters of the Azores and then return to Ireland upon the arrival of spring. 

Many arrive in April but May is considered the peak season to spot them. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group spokesperson Pádraic Whooley described them as a “magnificent beast of an animal”. 

“The basking shark is actually the second biggest shark species and, therefore, the second largest fish on the planet,” he explained. 

“Second only to its tropical cousin, the whale shark. 

“It's an annual visitor and right now is perhaps the very best time to see them.”

A basking shark feeding. Picture by: digitalunderwater.com / Alamy Stock Photo.

The sharks leave Irish waters in June but return again in September, before heading south for the winter. 

So far, the Irish Whale and Dolphone Group have recieved 200 sighting reports from Hookhead in Wexford, along the south coast, up the west coast to the north-west.

While sharks have a scary reputation, Mr Whooley  said basking sharks are “very benign, gentle giants”

“But at this time of the year, they're feeding and people would be glad to know that they're feeding on plankton and krill - very, very small little animals,” he added.  

“So they're very, very different to more predatory type shark; they pose absolutely no risk to humans.” 

A basking shark filter feeding on plankton. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Despite this, basking sharks do look similar to the much feared Great White Shark of Jaws fame. 

“Anatomically, the basking shark is really similar in both in terms of size and outward appearance,” Mr Whooley said.

“The only difference is their dentition; their teeth are very, very different. 

“So, they're not designed for killing and eating meat like great whites are.

“They’re more like ocean grazers.” 

Anyone hoping to see a basking shark can take part in Whale Watch Ireland’s free, land based whale watching event in Bray, County Wicklow on 23rd May.

Main image: A basking shark in Baltimore, Cork. Picture by: Cultura Creative RF / Alamy Stock Photo.