Shark sightings in Newquay are very rare, but not unheard of. Perhaps the most famous shark to visit Newquay and occasionally spotted elsewhere along Cornwall's coastline is the harmless basking shark. As one of the world's largest shark species, it can cause quite a stir, and on occasion has been known to swim into harbours. However, this gentle giant is more like a whale than a shark and spends its days cruising the seas for plankton.
Blue sharks have also been known to visit Cornwall's coastline as they migrate across the oceans, however, they tend to prefer deep waters and are not known to be aggressive towards people when left alone.