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Sharks in Dubai? Yes, but no cause for alarm

When you think of Dubai, you probably think of luxury beaches and crystal-clear blue water. But did you know that there are also sharks swimming in the sea around Dubai? In fact, there are as many as 32 different species of shark in these waters.

However, you need not worry when you go into the sea. Most sharks here are small and not dangerous to humans. Unlike the frightening images from films, the sharks in Dubai are actually shy and harmless. They are found mainly in deeper water and usually stay away from swimmers.

You might even spot one from your villa

On calm days, it is even possible to see a shark swimming among the fronds of Palm Jumeirah. Residents of waterfront villas sometimes share footage of small sharks swimming past their garden. These are usually reef sharks or other harmless species.

There are no known incidents of people being attacked by sharks in Dubai. Swimming in the sea here is therefore just as safe as at other tourist destinations. Of course, as everywhere, it is wise to respect marine life and avoid unnecessary contact.

Dubai places a strong emphasis on nature conservation and protecting marine life. This means that the presence of sharks is actually a good sign: it shows that the ecosystem is healthy.