A huge shark believed to be a possible great white has been filmed swimming around a boat off an unexpected European coastline.
The animal, estimated to measure between 10ft and 13ft, appeared near Nazaré in Portugal – an area famed for attracting surfers due to its record-breaking waves.
It was spotted around two nautical miles offshore during an excursion between São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré, as reported by Whats The Jam.
READ MORE: Koala gets world’s first CHLAMYDIA vaccine implant
- Advertisement -
The footage was jointly uploaded to Instagram by boat-tour company Ocean Adventures, and Nuno Santos on 25 July.
In the caption, Ocean Adventures wrote: “This morning, between São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré, about 2MN from land, we spotted a large shark during a walk.
“The animal, 3/4m long, approached the boat and swam around us for a short moment.
“We can’t identify the species, so we’re leaving some videos here for marine biologists to give an opinion.
“To mention that at no point did we feel threatened, and that the animal showed calm behavior and even curiousity.”
- Advertisement -
The video shows the shark’s dark shape moving beneath the water as its dorsal fin breaks the surface close to the vessel.
Although its species has not been confirmed, Nuno said its colouring suggested it could be a great white.
He told Portuguese outlet SIC Notícias that the animal displayed a “white ventral area suggesting that it could be a great white shark”.
- Advertisement -
The extraordinary footage has since been viewed more than 670,000 times and sparked fierce debate among viewers over the animal’s identity.
Some appeared convinced that the visitor was a great white.
One person commented: “White shark, this dorsal fin doesn’t fool…”
Another person claimed: “It’s a white shark. For days I was diving and I found it, it was devouring a small seal. I was less than 10 meters away from it and it didn’t even look at me.”
But others remained sceptical.
One person said: “White shark in these waters?? I doubt it!”
Great white sharks are highly migratory apex predators capable of travelling enormous distances across ocean basins while following suitable water temperatures and prey.
They have occasionally been recorded in the Mediterranean and wider North Atlantic, although sightings close to mainland Portugal are considered rare.
The shark eventually moved away from the boat and disappeared into deeper water.
The possibility of a great white swimming nearby has now added an unexpected new dimension to the famous Portuguese coastline.
READ MORE: Startled staff chase cheeky seagull after it nicks shop doorstop
