IS THIS A VIDEO OF A GREAT WHITE SHARK IN SCOTLAND?? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🦈 ISLE OF MULL

This footage is from 2012, from a Kayak approximately 200m off the coast of the Isle of Mull. I break down the footage from a scientific standpoint. It has been on KZbin for years however a subscriber sent this to me suggesting it did not charactistically look like a Basking shark. So I have decided to put it to you for you to have a look.
Full Original video here:
• SCARY SHARK Scotland, ...
Kayak Great White Video here:
• Great white shark lung...
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#GreatWhites #Scotland #Sharks

[@AirbornePirates]

This might be a basking shark I tried to enhance the footage to see Gills / Dorsal to nose distance but it wasn’t good enough to determine! Anyway, for some fun I’ve put it out there for you to decide amongst yourselves 👍🦈🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@apollolouisehart]

Omg Matt now that’s is something to keep a eye on

[@sonnyhutchins3141]

Orca there is a pod up there

[@Minke63]

Send the video to Richard Peirce at the Shark Trust.

[@middleway100]

Hi Matt, Looks like i found the original vid where they state it was a Basking shark. Description : "In Scotland on the Isle of Mull. We were not expecting to get so close to it, when it swam under us to avoid collision. That white in the water is it's mouth which is wide open....." kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH3bn4eVgMd4qNU

[@frankbevan413]

If your pushing a basking shark as a white shark = you should reconsider trying to look for white shark = because your going to cause so much confusion and trouble for people and more importantly the sharks.

[@mrmcveigh4034]

I have studied marine biology at university and to continue my academic studies in marine biology I went on to achieve a doctorate in marine biology. I can clearly and 100% say that I have not got a clue what I’m talking about as I am a plasterer that left school at 16 but I do love you content.

[@jamieryan958]

🤣

[@oscarcat1231]

Ha ha ha

[@incineroar9933]

Rewatch 0:36 through 38, you can just make out the wide open basking shark mouth.

[@briandavion]

@@incineroar9933 that's not it's mouth, that's a white underbelly. It might not be a white shark but it's a related shark with similer colouration at the very least.

[@blue246]

A colleague told me her dad and husband took the boat out fishing in Furnace, Scotland. A huge basking shark took far too much interest in their boat . They had to go back to shore and abandon their fishing trip. They said the shark behaved like it trying to mate with the boat and just wouldn’t give up. They didn’t even get to cast their lines. This was around 22 years ago.

[@SHARKBYTES]

I’m going basking shark here! Location + white of the mouth underwater. I think fin is a tricky angle to see it from, looks a little warped from the angle we’re seeing it.

[@edwardfortier2335]

I was thinking the same thing with the white of the mouth, basking shark, or believe it or not also could be a salmon shark, they also have the white mouth…

[@JustinLHopkins]

But the dorsal fin doesn’t match. Waters in the UK are rising so it’s only a matter of time.

[@StoneTitan]

Yeah the wide white mouth should be the give away.

[@onefrequencydown4749]

Most convincing footage of a GWS in UK waters yet 😊

[@kevinmee3501]

Looks like a good area for you to chum and video next year., Any video that gets people talking about sharks and highlight them help's people understand and respect them. Looking forward to more of you're great sea life adventures next year.

[@StanWatt.]

I emailed my retired shark biologist friend in Tahiti about this video, and he said that that shark was definitely a Great White shark. This backs up that other video of British biologists who claimed they had seen a GW net to them off the west coast of Scotland. Seems to be confirmed. I'll pass this on to Ryan Johnson, in Mossel Bay, South Africa, and see what he comes back with.

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks Stan! Would love to know what Ryan comes back with too 🙌

[@StanWatt.]

@@AirbornePirates Me too, I emailed his wife, Fiona, because she had forwarded the video of the Osearch research to him. I didn't hear directly back from him because he's usually very busy, but he will have looked at it. If i hear of anything I'll give you a shout.

[@middleway100]

@@StanWatt. I think I found the original vid confirming its a Basking Shark. Titled "Basking Shark Goes Under Our Boat" Description : "In Scotland on the Isle of Mull. We were not expecting to get so close to it, when it swam under us to avoid collision. That white in the water is it's mouth which is wide open....." kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH3bn4eVgMd4qNU I have no doubt there are GWs in UK waters, but for many reasons this certainly doesn't seem to be one.

[@darylsmith3945]

I'm not a shark expert but my first reaction was it wasn't a great white also great whites like warm water.

[@az4455]

@@darylsmith3945 there have been great white attacks in Russia. Whites exist in colder waters.

[@anni50ful]

I'm in Cornwall UK, one of our fishermen saw a great white just off Padstow which is on the Atlantic side of the coast, a fisherman's story ? Who knows but he was convinced, we now have 'Man o war' jelly fish which we didn't see years ago,we have seals so easy pickings for a GW. ☺

[@peterstayne3765]

We have always had man o war jelly fish in UK my uncle as kid nearly died from getting stung by one in Devon in the 1950’s

[@marklittle6522]

I’ve got family who live in the north of Scotland, they are mad mad fisherman , when I asked them ata wedding if they thought great whites could be in the west coast of Scotland, their response was , we have personally seen them loads of times over the years , this is not a made up story xx

[@ln5747]

😂 drunk fisherman at a wedding would never tell a tale. You got fooled lol

[@thomasmacginnes100]

i’ve been called a “doubting Thomas” by Those who know me by an other llamo ! lol Not ! We have all been ‘schooold’ like chumsters , learn Something really Big like “amphodromic tides” then we may truly Wonder about this Earth Sea & Sky !

[@mathewvanostin7118]

I think people are confused about 2 type of sharks 1) white sharks can live in water temperature 10-20 degree celcius Under that its dangerously too cold for their health Over that is too much heat for their health Thats why white shark migrate north during summer. Then leave for the south in winter 2) tiger sharks & bull shark. Can only survive in water that is 20-35 degree celcius And cant survive many days in water temperature that is way under 20 degrees This is where confusion people have. They think all dangerous sharks. Can only live in high heat areas. But it not the case of white shark who basicaly like moderate temperature

[@welshadventurer4639]

Great video as always Matt. Tough one this buddy, so hard to tell tbf. I'm no shark expert just be learning from watching your videos. There is no reason not to be in our waters plenty of food around the shores of Scotland for them. Really enjoyed the video mate. Stay safe my friend

[@themrmaiorca]

I read an article some time ago, I believe about a sighting in 2004, Marine biologist Dr Simon Greenstreet was diving with his wife and some friends near the Summer Islands, when they saw a shark swimming towards their boat, it then then cruised alongside them less than a metre away. Dr. Greenstreet said he positively identified this as being a white shark. Richard Pierce, a British shark expert spoke to Dr.Greenstreet and both are convinced it was a white shark.

[@Sam-xr8ne]

Don't worry, the white was just on vacation.

[@chriswebley6938]

Me and my son absolutely love this channel its our bonding thing we love outdoors adventures and sharks !!. Cheers islander outdoors from two Yorkshire lads that appreciate all your efforts 👌

[@AirbornePirates]

Thanks Chris, How old is your son? Hope he is inspired to get into the sea :)

[@markwilders2265]

Another superb video. Great info and knowledge. Superb.

[@jeffebdy]

What a brilliant analysis. My dad's brother lived on the NW coast of Scotland across from Skye. 2 of my cousins would see basking sharks when out fishing in their little dinghy. The first time scared them to death as it swam under them. However, it was their sister, out kayaking, had one circle her then swam under. She hadn't long seen Jaws & didn't think this was a basking shark or behaved like one. So maybe it was GW or one of the other sharks mentioned

[@jimmer1047]

I saw Jaws when it first came out! I've scared myself while swimming in a LAKE before! LOL 😂😂 When visiting my son that's in San Diego (Navy.) I love going to Ocean Beach, but am not getting in the water!

[@paulfletcher3998]

@jimmer - I was scared getting in the bath after watching Jaws as a kid.

[@user-im7db9kn6u]

@@paulfletcher3998 who wouldn’t 😆 lol

[@Winterov]

@@paulfletcher3998 I hear ya. I was scared to go in a swimming pool lol.

[@wix7657]

@@paulfletcher3998 as a kid after watching jaws, the part where the head rolled out of the sunken boat I wouldn’t go to the toilet as I thought the shark may come up through the toilet!!!😱

[@ransomedavis2208]

Ok guys i have cage dived with great whites in Gansbaai in south africa back in the summer of 2016. I had 15 foot plus sharks swim within 1foot of me, i have seen them dam close. i know full well the difference between a great white and a basking shark. I CONFIRM THIS IS A GREAT WHITE.

[@ransomedavis2208]

having just viewed the footage again this shark is a good 14 - 15 ft long, take the rop ot the nose to the dorsal fin. its a long way back and that fin is unmistakable once youve been up very close to one you will always know, this is a great white. not a basking shark. or a dolphin or jack the ripper it is a Carcharodon carcharias / great white.

[@Timesend]

Wow this absolutely amazing ❤ thought provoking for sure, that clip of the basking shark diving out of the water at 3 mins was insane 🔥

[@jamesstrachan2288]

Wow thanks for the video. I was born in Scotland but live now in Australia since i was 2 year old. I didn’t know we got great white sharks in Scotland. Thanks for the video. Cheers

[@jockelfernau8207]

I've seen different sharks in their natural environment. White Tips, Makos, Bronze Whalers, Tigers, Great White, Lemon, Bulls and some others. Although I'm not a shark expert at all and just knowing to be aware of them as they are all potentially dangerous I'd however say that this is a Great White. The behaviour, the fin, the size... It all fits. Maybe a lone rider?

[@TheMalibuArtist]

In my estimation, that's more than likely a basking shark. They are a species with some maneuverability, so the fact that this one moves fast in response to the kayak doesn't mean it's a white shark. Simply look how fast the basking sharks breaching the surface to see how nimble these sharks are. They can move with some speed. Especially if in the vicinity of an "unknown" foreign object like a kayak.

[@AirbornePirates]

Thank you buddy! Appreciate your comment on this 👍🙌

[@Compassiron1]

Get to Mull and get your drone out TMA! :) love your channel btw

[@cassiusdio6048]

They seldom move that fast though I’d still say great white.

[@stevebeever2442]

Regardless of how fast or not basking sharks can move the dorsal fin is completely different to that of a basking shark. Noway is that a basking shark the dorsal fin is completely different shape

[@rhunter203]

Completely agree, that isn’t a fin of a basking shark!

[@daleanderin1]

Basking for me, you can clearly see the gill slits from inside the gapeing mouth under the water, baskings also have flimsier fins and this one was diverting from the boat which gave the angle of it a pointy look. Besides, i live local to these waters and they are fished regularly with no record of any white shark ever being caught in the area where as baskings are regular visitors. Look as it dives under the rig also, a big rounded dorsal.

[@rasredi]

The only really observant comment!

[@davidrichmond5247]

Brilliant video as always.👍 Initially I was thinking Great White, but as it goes under the kayak, the dorsal fin looked more rounded(like a basking shark) It is hard to tell, but basking sharks do have a lighter colour on the inside of their gills(which could be what the flash of white was)😬 I'm no expert, just have a limitless interest in all sharks.😁

[@Bartizzle739]

This gave me butterflies lol. My first instinct is great white. Especially when there’s the freeze frame and slow motion of the mouth. I’ve watched countless documentaries about great whites and looks very similar. Especially the way it approached the kayak in a playful/borderline aggressive manner. It’s something a basking shark just wouldn’t do. Why’s this taken so long to be made public lol

[@razorroberts8893]

because its a basking shark lmao

[@jamesmacdonald7078]

Like others on here, I have encountered basking sharks quite often off the west of Scotland. I really don’t know about this one. It is possible the shape of the dorsal is an optical illusion. As it gets close to the kayak it looks more rounded than it did further away. The insides of basking sharks’ mouths look white when they are feeding. That might be what we see there too, but a good case can be made for it being a white chin and throat which baskers don’t have. It makes quite an aggressive move towards the kayak. I would expect a basking shark to divert away. I have never seen them approach a boat, but others might have. I think this one falls short of definitive proof of a great white. That said I think I would be more surprised if great whites didn’t visit the waters around Mull now and again.

[@chrisprice6405]

Agreed, the fin looks much more rounded just before it goes under. Also your right about mouth too. However...... it did move more like GW. Hard to say really.

[@scottmidgley2878]

totally agree 👍

[@comeatmebro3229]

@@chrisprice6405 could debate it moving like a great white to be honest. Living in South Australia (one of the biggest GW hotspots in the world) and being a fisherman i have seen a fair number of them and its behaviour seems off, unless it was sick its not going to get spooked by a Kayak like that and if it did its not going to go under the yak to get away, if it was eating something it wouldnt be chilling on the surface to do that either and it wouldnt be moving that slowely. when feeding thats when a GW is at its most vulnerable so they tend to do it at speed (unless feeding off a whale) and the whole front of the shark looks off, the mouth looks to too close to the snout of the shark. another thing is the fin, sure it might look like a GW fin but a shark this size (its not that big in all honesty) then if that much fin is exposed then the top of the tail should also be exposed out of the water, it could be a Porbeagle shark or a basking shark but im pretty confident its not a great white.

[@lulumiller1104]

🇬🇧🦋awesome video ... spider senses say white shark , there is more pointing to this in shape of head , white part of jaw freeze framed.speed of fish definitely the fin circling the kayak .. plus like you have mentioned abundance of prey so exciting , looking forward to your adventures next year .... 🦋🇬🇧

[@jamesyoung2656]

That's the most convincing footage I've seen of any u.k.great white shark sighting. That definitely looks like the real deal. Imo ... that's a Great White. I was sceptical at first because when the shark goes under the kayak there's a rounded fin that can be seen, which I am pretty sure now is a pectoral fin of a Great White.

[@jump171]

its a basking shark

[@sn00pgreen]

for sale yellow two seater kayak..

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

Looks more like a very large Mako shark to me but difficult to tell from scale on the photo. Dorsal fin looks bang on Mako shape. Clear white colouration around mouth area. Given the all year round prevalence of Mako in our waters, it's the most likely suspect.

[@g-man6223]

I'm leaning towards young basking shark. At the point where it open/closes its mouth the nose / snout breaks the surface of the water and appears to be the distinctive nose of a basking shark. also frame by frame the dorsal appears quite blunt as it goes under the canoe.

[@rhestephens]

I’ve got a feeling it might be a great white. There’s little or no reason why they wouldn’t come to our shores

[@stephen-truthseeker]

The pleb trolls might argue they need a passport to move to cooler waters.

[@lukeellis758]

Plenty of seals for them to eat

[@-drakrats-]

A 'feeling' isn't reason enough to suppose something is whatever.

[@stephen-truthseeker]

@@-drakrats- so great white Sharks only swim in tropical and subtropical places?

[@-drakrats-]

@@stephen-truthseeker was that what I said? No...

[@TheMaisiewoofwoof]

I consider myself to be a huge sceptic but having lived on the coast for decades I know a Basking shark, Porbeagle, Mako etc when I see one. This isn't any of those in my humble opinion. I have sent this to a mate of mine who works down here in Plymouth at the Marine Biological Institute and he's pretty damn speechless. He thinks it could well be a GW.

[@billywatts4689]

Even more reason not to listen to a word he says with that description of his bullshit title

[@razorroberts8893]

i mean it is a basking shark as there is another video well same video different title saying basking shark swims under my kayak

[@garyrodriguez7078]

This was from a good while ago. What did the Authorities/Experts say at the time ? (Also, do you aim to check around that area in your boat next year, amongst other spots ?)

[@richardcoe6283]

Mako could be a great shout, known to have some aggression in them also. Although this looks like a relatively large shark, the mouth appears similar to that of a mako from what I can see from the stills. Love the channel mate, I am convinced we have great whites in our waters just that we lack the interaction with them. Keep up the good content.

[@Badger69-96]

I think it's a Basking shark because of the colouring especially when I seen white colour from inside its mouth , you see this when they're feeding . I'm not sure about the dorsal fin it's the wrong angle tbf , excellent debate and typical from UK waters 😅✌️💯👨‍🚒👩‍🚒

[@lyndoncmp5751]

The angle is fine. That's not a basking shark dorsal. Really frustrating that people refuse to believe the occasional white is here. Its not a basking shark.

[@Gaz-Lazaruz]

I have been pretty much obsessed with Great whites in UK since I was 7 and have studied and analysed so many different sightings and I have seen some extremely convincing and compelling evidence, but this is by far the best footage I've seen in a long time. I will confirm that this is NOT a Basking Shark. It is a large Predatory shark. It has a fish in its mouth that you can see it Chomp down on and then get spooked by the kayak. It's that Biting motion that confirms this to Not be a Basking Shark. If I had to put my " all or nothing" on this , I would say that this is a juvenile GWS possibly a seasonal visitor taking advantage of the large seal population. The dorsal fin matches that of a great White and I have scanned this Biting motion Frame by Frame and zoomed in and enhanced the images and I can basically confirm that this is most Definitely Not a Basking Shark but a great White shark eating and swallowing a fish. This is a very very good find as far as research into Great White sightings in UK.

[@helene6295]

Defo not a basking shark seen a few diveing of the coast of Scotland real close up

[@winchesterandrew256]

What a load of balls. Just because it's not a basking shark doesn't make it automatically a great white.

[@bygoneera9521]

@@ppo2424ok hector 🥸

[@honorandintegrity4997]

@@ppo2424 this seems like more wishful knowledge on your part as you could never be certain of that.

[@honorandintegrity4997]

@@ppo2424 if you are making a guess you shouldn't be giving a finite "no" for an answer, especially being "educated" you should know that anomaly's can occur. It's just like how they pushed the c-19 vax stating it eliminates your chance of contraction etc.

[@mark-allanpilgrim7028]

Great video and very interesting as usual!

[@carolluscombe7499]

I'd have loved this to have been a great white or other mackerel shark but I think that this is a basking shark. After watching the video in slow motion several times, I think this is a basking shark. The view of the fin is making it look more pointed than it actually is. Plus the swimming behaviour was sedate until it approached the kayak cutting off its route which is why it had to dive suddenly. The white mouth is definitely indicative of a basking shark. It looked like it was about to open it wide to filter feed when it became aware that something had blocked its path so closed it before diving. The video clip of the basking shark breaching also has a very pointy dorsal fin. Basking sharks can appear very dark in colour depending on light conditions. I'm not a marine biologist nor have I swum with any sharks but I have a very keen interest of all shark species. BTW, sharks are only considered cannibals when they eat members of their own species. A white shark eating a basking shark isn't cannibalism. But a great white eating another great white would be.

[@dantheman9228]

I did have one strange experience with a seal colony in Ayrshire in 2010 when going beach fishing,usually if approached they would head into the water only on this day they ran down the beach and were more scared of the water than us humans,we looked to see if we could see anything in the water but it was raining,windy and grey and impossible to see anything. But that always sticks with me as they were terrified of something in the water.

[@alexandruescu1207]

Possibly orcas

[@dantheman9228]

@@alexandruescu1207 We thought that at first but when there are Orcas you see them as they have to surface and are usually in a pod.

[@hulabiker21]

My only shark sighting also involved terrified seals. This was in Loch Gruinart on the Isle of Islay, in the mid 1970’s, so not recent. There is a high sandbank stretching along the middle of this inlet, it is inaccessible from the land, and there is a deep channel approx 6 ft wide that surrounds it. A large colony of seals, with young was always on the sandbank. They were incredibly noisy, with a lot of activity, a lot of movement on the bank, and into and from the water. On this occasion the seals suddenly went completely quiet, and stopped moving. Then we saw all their faces were following the path of a single object, a pointed dorsal fin travelling along the channel. It was like those pictures of a crowd watching tennis, the faces all moving in unison. It was only when the shark disappeared that they started to bark, and move about again. At the time I was unaware that we got any sharks in UK waters, I wouldn’t have a clue what type of shark it was, but the seals knew enough to be genuinely frightened of it.

[@Hunterhelicoptervideoclips]

For anyone who thinks Scotland’s waters are too cold for Great Whites -in 1992 NZ scientist, Mike Fraser, lost his arm in a GW attack in the far south Campbell Island’s. The water temperature? - just 7’C At the time he said they believed Great Whites could not be found in water temperatures below 10’C I’ve caged dived with Great Whites in NZ’s Stewart Island at just a 14’C water temp.

[@user-im7db9kn6u]

💯 👍

[@darrylpeake518]

GWS are warm blooded, thats why they prefer colder waters

[@itsonlymeok]

Loved this first time watching you you definitely gained a subscriber👍

[@lukascalvert6484]

First thoughts looking at the dorsal fin was it’s a great white. Pretty cool if that’s the case..

[@naomiseraphina9718]

For what it's worth, I think that the footage you've presented in this video very likely depicts a great white shark, and not any other species. I am certainly no expert, but where I live, on the west cost of the US, we have many great whites, and I have personally witnessed them swimming near the surface of the sea. As you mentioned, they do frequently take interest in kayakers. In fact, a friend of my family was even thrown from her kayak by a great white some years ago. She fortunately survived the experience, but her encounter led me to research other attacks on kayakers by this shark species, and there have been far more of them than I ever would have previously suspected. Granted, the footage you've presented does not depict an attack, however, the great white is the only species of shark I'm aware of that routinely approaches kayaks at all, probably because it is one of the few shark species that grows large enough to view something kayak-sized as a potential prey item. The way that the shark in this footage moves, coupled with its size, its boldness, and its steely-grey coloration, not to mention its iconic sickle-shaped fin, leads me to suppose that we're looking at a great white. And why not? Before becoming a fan of your channel, (which is fantastic, by the way,) I wasn't aware of how rare white sharks seem to be in British and Irish waters. Honestly, I think that you're lucky if such is truly the case. White shark attacks on surfers and swimmers are so common along the Pacific coast of the US that they have ruined water sports for many Americans, including myself. It's one thing to risk being bitten, and another thing to risk being bitten in half. Still, lucky or otherwise, I don't understand why white sharks would avoid your coastal waters. They are comfortable in colder waters, and they are drawn to any place with abundant seal rookeries and other large prey animals. If I were a great white, I would certainly consider visiting Scotland, Ireland, England, or the Isle of Man. Whatever the reason for their scarcity, however, I think of it as a blessing for the people of your area. I would actually consider surfing off of Corwall, or the west of Ireland, but I would never leap into the water near where I live. One thing is for certain: that video footage is NOT of any basking shark! Best of luck to you, and thank you for a fascinating and informative channel! May you always remain safe in the water! --N

[@robinbeavan5152]

I personally think it's a smaller basking shark .you can see its mouth as its filter feeding.nobody can be actually sure by watching this clip though. What is needed it a dead whale or seals pegged out with cameras off the coast somewhere near mull.this would draw any great whites for hundreds of mile on the oil slick given off.

[@jump171]

clearly a whale shark

[@charliehobday7548]

Thanks for all your efforts .

[@getjonny6245]

Does it not look like the shark opens and closes it's mouth just before it meets the kayak? It's mouth looks a lot smaller than a basking sharks and it appears to be white underneath...???...

[@kjefferyfishing-12]

I live in Oban and have seen hundreds of basking sharks in my life and I can confidently say this is a basking shark you can see the shape of the nose and the inside of the mouth of a basking shark is white as you can see in the video

[@TheStig1875]

Seen lots of White Pointers when I lived in Western Australia and this made my blood run cold, I think you have finally got your evidence mate.

[@jump171]

its clearly a whale shark

[@MrBadsanta78]

Interesting stuff 🦈 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😮

[@breifne555]

That's interesting. If you slow it down and get to the frames where the dorsal fin shows and freeze you can see the white mouth open and maybe teeth? It could be a trick of the light. Anyway wasn't there a couple of marine biologists who went kayaking up there and confirmed a sighting under them? It was on a broadcast doc. I've seen a good few whites around the world and it looks like one to me.

[@Fantic156]

I was in two minds until it 'darted' towards and under the kayak ... I've never seen a Basking Shark move quite like that, they're more steady and shy away rather than confront. Still dunno if it's a White, Porbeagle or Mako though ... 😜

[@simpedros4766]

Basking sharks can leap out of the water. They can move very quickly when they want to

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

The white chin & throat area plus sharp angular dorsal definitely give the look of the mako, porbeagle, great white family. It's fascinating these waters have all three so close to shore. Nothing like that occurs in coastal North America. Certainly not centering on marine mammals. Just GW focus on seals.

[@petelewis6920]

Porbeagle I would guess?

[@IgorsUncleDave]

I concur with your analysis. The speed at which it moved under the boat sways the opinion away from being a basking shark. Add to that the dorsal fin is more pointed. It appears not to be a basking shark. The light area around its mouth then narrows the identification down more. Is it a great white? I don't know but it certainly could be and I believe there have been many visits over the years. The waters are a very large area and the likelihood of seeing them is remote. It doesn't mean they are not there.

[@thomasmacginnes100]

i’d agree with you , and in addition , that gw’ circling the kayak is weighing its wager to dump the kayaker lol

[@irestar6]

Good video, I don't think it's a basking shark, as I'm Northern Ireland and the basking sharks are my boys, I love diving with them. They're always much slower too, and often swim alongside me when kayaking, as they're really curious and I feel quite friendly sharks. It's too big to be a dog/angel shark. I've never seen a mako or porbeagle even when over a mile from shore. Neither have any friends who go out in boats fishing. They do see the Orcas on a regular basis though, as far as we know, there is a pod of them that range between Scotland and Northern Ireland. As I have a friend who adores Orcas and we were able to go out on a boat and see them which was cool.

[@rottweilerfun9520]

You're lucky , it must be awesome to see Orcas in the wild. Do you ever swim with them ?

[@irestar6]

@@rottweilerfun9520 I've not swam with them, as they are apex predators but I often swim with the Basking Sharks, they're my boys.

[@garsimmulholland4984]

We’ve seen them a lot sailing in strangford, big old beasts and very inquisitive(orcas). Basking sharks I’ve swum with at Annalong.

[@irestar6]

@@garsimmulholland4984 Benone is always amazing to swim at. Not a great surfing beach unless your a nutter like me who swims all year round and my son surfs all year round. I'm too disabled to surf now but enjoy some boogie boarding still. And I love scuba and I used to do caving again too disabled now but I'm working my way up my scuba qualifications so I can cave dive and be in caves again. But I've had to agree to never go on my own and no restrictions. Definitely come to Benone as so safe and has so much wildlife.

[@thomasmacginnes100]

Caves’ can ‘breathe’ ! draw in draw out and not necessarily regularly, that Danger alone should prohibit all but them who have extraordinary Knowledge and means’ to hand .

[@theorigonaldave]

100% basking shark. I work on a lobster boat on the Isle of skye and see them regularly. Basking sharks are faster than you think. Have you ever seen a Basking shark breach? Whole body up out the water ? It happens trust me. Cheers!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Dorsal isn't a basking shark. Not even close.

[@ln5747]

@@lyndoncmp5751 think I'll go with the guy who works at sea fishing 😂 And when deciding if it's basking or great white I'll hesitate it's significant to consider the fact that there's thousands of baskings sighted for hundreds of years and zero great whites ever sighted 😂

[@thomasmacginnes100]

i would bet many dollars for donuts than keep my eye on the hole ! that looks determined and the dorsal is sharp , the veer is more commensurate with a predator than the ‘whale shark’ sub’marining !

[@ln5747]

@@thomasmacginnes100 been down the pub for a Sunday sesh?

[@Trundlebugg]

Interesting stuff! On the more convincing side of things than many I’ve seen. Fin does not look basking shark round or colour when it’s first shown though agree angle and quality could have distorted it. One thing I am wondering about is the white mouth gape, you can see this pretty well and if it was a Gw, given that this is visible through the water wouldn’t you also be able to see some trace of the white underbelly? Would wonder the same about porbeagle, mako and salmon…? I’ve just slowed and watched it back a few times to check for this and then noticed that when it dives the dorsal fin looks ver rounded but the tail fin is pointed but I can’t seen any sign of the extra notch/spiky bit at the top of the tail that is classic basking tail though the quality could be just not up to showing this. Have gone back and forth twice and now no idea 😂 at different points it has apparently clear but contradicting markers!

[@monsterforge1763]

Indeed, also my observations upon the video

[@markrobinson8949]

For me, this is a Great White; the way it approached the kayak, the dorsal fin and mouth shape add up to not being a basking shark

[@surfergirl2943]

I think the dorsal fin being so pointed along with the white underneath the jaw def points away from a basking shark. I would say it looks like a Great White.

[@TSOMTSOMTSOM]

I've seen lots of basking sharks off Cornwall and they can move fast if they want to. This is not a basking shark though. Judging by the light colouring around it's mouth it's most likely a white shark. Anyone identifying it from the video without knowing the geographic location would say the same. This is the first video I've seen from British waters claiming to be a white shark that hasn't obviously been a basking shark. So nice to see.

[@JBOnlinetutoring]

Originally, I thought it was a Basking shark but watching the video back a few times, it seems too fast for a Basking Shark. Like you said, the fin is different too and when you slowed the frame of its mouth, it definitely looks more like a White than a Basking shark. I've always thought they frequented British waters anyway due to the Tuna and Seals around about. Very interesting. It must show our waters are getting healthier I suppose.

[@simonwyndham]

There's another frame further in the video as it gets closer to the boat where part of the nose protrudes, and the mouth shape is closer to a Basking Shark. It's most certainly a young Basking Shark. A large clue that it isn't a White or a Mako is in the size of the secondary dorsal fin in one frame of the video. It's far too large for those two predatory sharks. Too big for a Porbeagle as well. Only other UK shark that has a large enough secondary dorsal to the one in the video is a Blue shark, and that would be incredibly unusual to see one so close to shore in that location by a kayak. So the only shark left is a Basking Shark due to the size of the secondary dorsal fin, the way the primary dorsal fin is clearly more rounded when it gets closer to the camera, and a later frame where the mouth is open and there's a small amount of nose protruding from the water.

[@middleway100]

Basking sharks are so fast they can breach! Watch this kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpvaiZKdl8R2frM

[@thomasmacginnes100]

did’nt catch all you seemed to have ! but i would not die on that ‘swell’ Gw or W.shark lol

[@billdejong4148]

Interesting video yet again. The dorsal fin is a give away, but I would also be looking at the top of the tail fin - which is another good way to distinguish a White, and at 0.35 and at 7.25 it does pop out of the water and is clearly on show. I would say that if this was a White - it looks to be a very big White and the Kayaker obviously thought it was something different to a Basking Shark, as you can hear it in their voice.

[@ShandiNicole1982]

Actually because of the coloration it looked more like a salmon shark. Didn’t see any distinction in color on it’s body from top to bottom. I also forgot, could be a Porbeagle Shark.

[@JH-ck1nr]

First time i have seen footage in UK of something that really does look like a Great White. Always believed they visit our shores and this might be best evidence yet.

[@nez9751]

They live in cold waters so why not? Wouldn’t be the first time an animal showed up somewhere it wasn’t meant to be.

[@jinky123ify]

I live in the west coast of Scotland & encounter Basking sharks all the time, as much as I believe we will have Great Whites in our waters eventually this is definitely a basking shark, normal behaviour for them is to flight when approached, you can also see the elongated nose under the water when the mouth is wide open.

[@happybee7725]

Agree 100%

[@jamesbatten8659]

I thought White at first but if you zoom in at 2.29 mins in the footage you get a proper profile I agre it’s a Basking shark

[@edwardanderson2717]

100 percent, you can just see the shape of the nose

[@iangreen4572]

At 1:27 to 1:30 you could just about see a bit of white where the mouth is. I agree that it looks like a Great White because of the colouring and shape of the fin.

[@kenmaylor9207]

From the talking on the video it sounds like there were two people in the Kayak and they were frightened, so a double kayak has to be 12 to 15 feet in length. I have seen basking shark in Cornwall and also in the inner Hebrides and the shark in the clip looked different and appears to be moving fast. It is down to 3 species which has to include a great white but there is no definitive answer as to which one but does make interesting viewing.

[@middleway100]

Basking Shark IMO. The initial visual angle on the dorsal fin makes it look more pointed, but then once the shark turns under the Kayak you can see it's very rounded at the tip. Mouth colouration is hard to tell, The animal may not have been feeding, but had a mild gape on the jaw, showing the white internal colouration of the Basking Sharks mouth. Some have very pronounced white colouration in the mouth contrasting the dark body. Finally when you assess from mouth to Doral to Tail. I feel like the proportions are more in line with Basking shark.

[@helene6295]

That's no basking shark defo not

[@Trundlebugg]

I thought basking shark too for those reasons but if you pause and slow when it dives the dorsal looks round as you’ve said but the tail is quite upright and doesn’t have that double point/notch bit at the top that is classic basking. I’m not sure either way😅

[@simonwyndham]

I agree, Chris. Everyone here who is saying it's a Great White or a Porbeagle are missing two things. Firstly the more rounded shape of the primary dorsal fin as it gets closer to the boat, as you mention. But also there's a few frames where the secondary dorsal fin breaks the surface as well, which from its size and shape is pretty much cast iron proof that this is absolutely not a Great White, Porbeagle, or Mako. The Basking shark has a very distinctive secondary dorsal fin that is often in view at the same time as the primary one, due to its prominence. This is absolutely a Basking Shark, no doubt. There's also a few frames where the nose breaks the surface with the mouth open. It's a Basking Shark for certain.

[@middleway100]

@@Trundlebugg Right at the start of the footage you can see the tail break the surface and it displays the notched Cordal. I would also say this isn't particularly proof of anything however as the Great white has a similarly notched tail. :)

[@carolluscombe7499]

I agree with you. The fin definitely appeared more rounded when it dived)

[@poppycock6572]

I am a retired marine biologist from Northern California. 90% of my research was Ana Nuevo, Farallon Islands (Red Triangle)... that IS a White Shark not a Basking Shark. Swam with Nurse, Basking and Whale sharks, cage dove with Great Whites... this is a GWS. NOTE: Easiest way to tell: Freeze frame the side dorsal fin shot, now compare to side dorsal shot of a Basking Shark then a GW... its a GW. GW: ( Basking: ) ( and ) are the backside of the dorsal fin angle.

[@thetruth5791]

Agree 100% def a Great white sharp perfekt temperatur also ,a think they also are in Norway in the hot summer month , a meen thats a day swim for a great white from Scotland to Norway

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

This is ABSOLUTELY a basking shark. At :36 seconds you can see coloring of the the open mouth as seen in basking sharks. And the first shot of the fin it doesn't appear to be rounded but as the shark goes under the kayak, and you can see the fin about to go under, it is one-hundred-percent curved just like a basking shark. So not only as the fin gets closer do you see that it's not a great white Fin, but the shot of the mouth was a dead giveaway.

[@UKCM]

This video has been doing the rounds for quite a while. It IS a Basking Shark, you can tell straight away by looking at its open gaping mouth as it approaches the Kayak, not forgetting the bulbous snout It is not being aggressive as some of the posters are claiming. It is just changing direction to avoid colliding with the Kayak Lots of video reviewers have tried to claim this as a Great White. They have even gone as far as trying to crop out the start so you can't see the mouth Also the Dorsal Fin is completely different to that of a Great White As for claiming your "Stills" say it is a Great White .... the camera angle against the waves make it look like it is opening and closing. From the surface you cannot see a Great White open it's mouth. As the GW does NOT swim with it's mouth wide open for filter feeding The waters around the UK are too cold for Great Whites The closest a Great White has been confirmed near to UK waters was 75 miles south of Cornwall in the Bay of Biscay

[@rabadabadoo491]

Massive porgie?

[@Aaron_Hanson]

I’m convinced that it’s a Basking Shark. When you look at similar angles of Basking Sharks the white inside of the mouth is very very similar to what you see in this footage. Basking Sharks are commonly found on the surface of the water feeding in this manner. As for the dorsal fin, I feel that the angle of the footage could explain the sharp/ pointer appearance and I feel that the position of the dorsal is also a little too far back from the mouth for it to be a GWS. That’s just my opinions. Great content as per usual mate. 😊👍🇦🇺🍻

[@Assarkask]

We had a baskin shark in the Stockholm archipelago a few weeks ago..makes you wonder at the possibility of gws aswell.

[@deanadams475]

There seems to be some sort of camera filter twisting the picture. The kayak nose points into a sharp tip and bends. So could possibly be a basking shark but the filter points the fin. I'd like it to be a great white but I'm not sure.

[@curtyct5389]

Hey man great video anyway I'm from New England I'm sure you're well aware of the staggering and growing amount of great whites we have all over New England especially Cape Cod obviously we've always had great whites but in the last 10 years or so it has bumped up to one of the if not the largest visible population I guess of great whites around the world and that's all due to the marine mammals act that was passed here in the early 80s maybe the very late 70s allowing for the seal colonies to bump up and crazy numbers and now it's just out of control so they follow as you know they follow the switch and they come in and they eat the seals and now we have crazy amounts a great whites we saw two last summer one in Rhode Island the other was in Cape Cod one was with a drone so I don't know that's kind of cheating anyway there's no reason as you stated that you guys shouldn't have great whites I mean it's very similar Waters the North Atlantic temperature right I assume it's probably pretty similar you got seals I don't know it seems like if you don't have them now you will soon

[@AirbornePirates]

Hi dude yes I’ve read quite a bit about cape cod white sharks, birthing ground perhaps?

[@Jako-fh8zg]

Brilliant video - defo not a basking shark, too nimble. Looking at it another way, how would you disprove that is a Great White? I don’t think you can, the dorsal fin, the size and proportions, colourings, movement and location are all consistent with a Great White

[@rickunknown5744]

Defo is a basking shark . The people that filmed have said its definitely a basking.

[@Jako-fh8zg]

@@rickunknown5744 you felt the need to correct me at 11pm ish 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂please, 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 funny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rickunknown5744]

@@Jako-fh8zg ah the elusive Internet troll . Good one 👍

[@Jako-fh8zg]

@@rickunknown5744 🥹😭😭😭😭 please, please don’t call me a troll 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 please, please no 🥹🥹🥹🥹. I’m not sure I can get over such an insult 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 paaahhaaaaaaaa 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I love you Rick Unknown, will you be my wife??? 🥰😍😘🥰🥰🥰😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rickunknown5744]

You're trolling to hard 👌

[@juliansykes960]

It's definitely a Basking Shark. It's the angle of the video that makes the dorsal fin look sharper than it is.

[@markjamieson4198]

Got to say this video has got to best the closest possible legitimate sighting yet. Dorso fin looks close but the biggest one for me that nobody seems to be talking about are the markings and what looks like an eye. When you look at the video paused 1.27mins it looks like you can see the left eye and the mouth gaping open slightly with the white underbelly running right back to the middle of the shark. The big give away is when you slow the video down you can see there is a white trim round about the top of the mouth before the snout. Basking sharks don't have this. So for me this has got to be a big white shark, or a huge Mako shark like something from "Dawn of the monster mako". No matter what everyone has said the food source is perfect for any white shark aswell as the water temp the water temp. So who knows let's hope we see another sighting that can confirmed as a great white for definite next time🤞

[@darrenguntrip7464]

Yes I agree this what I see as well. I've paused the video at 0.37 and taken a screenshot and think it's the head of a great white. Also about a second later I have another screenshot where the shark turns its head towards the kayak and again it looks just like the snout of a great white. I'm trying to convince myself that it is a basking shark like others have said but but just don't see it.

[@carlmarch9591]

Yes exactly what I thought mate definite black eye and white underbelly characteristics of a great white?

[@Ryan-vs2em]

This does not look like a Basking shark to me ? Spent lots of time at sea

[@Minke63]

I'm in the Great White camp. The dorsal fin, snout and coloration all more applicable to a White than a Basking Shark. Basking Sharks also have a lighter grey horizontal stripe running from the snout to the tail. Also, the reaction of the kayakers says alot. I've never seen that in videos of kayakers and Basking Sharks. Has the video been sent to Richard Peirce for his opinion? That would be my next move.

[@johnbooth3073]

Dorsal fin is pointed and has the anterior sickle shape curve of a Gt White. I think it’s a GW. There’s loads of seals and salmon off Mull.

[@ophyjenkins8283]

The sound of the paddles hitting the water imitates a fish/seal in distress/play. That is why they are drawn to kayaks/paddleboards.

[@dragonshadow3707]

100% a great white shark you can tell with the front part of the dorsal fin.

[@jameswyeth8223]

If you look at the distance from the dorsal fin to tail ( and shape of the tail tip) and dorsal to mouth and the jagged white line on the jaw i would say its a Great white. If you could not see the white jaw line poss a very big Porbeagle or very big Mako.

[@batmanimal5993]

There's no hint of its white bottom in really clear water plus a younger basking shark would be spooked by a canoe in its path so what looks aggressive is just the shark manoeuvring away .the very last glimpse of the dorsel confirmed for me that it was a basking shark .

[@mattwells5022]

I'd love to believe it's a GW but as it goes under the boat you get a glimpse of the fin again which looks like a basking sharks.

[@rikmorley1729]

Brilliant video. I can't make my mind up . The dorsal fin looks too far set back to me but the quality of the vid isn't fantastic. Thanks for posting and definitely food for thought . Merry Christmas

[@user-cb1rx5dr3t]

It is definitely a white pointer, the dorsal fin is NOT that of a basking shark,but the white around the mouth /underside confirms this.A similar incident happened to kayakers off ullapool. From below the kayak could be mistaken for a seal.This part of scotland is adjacent to the atlantic, but more importantly, both locations have seal colonies,which is their main diet,and since both these sightings are in summer I would bet it was a great white.

[@hordegaming4771]

I mean considering I've bumped into one off coast of Ambriz in Angola last year I'd say yes, they're definitely moving northwards away from their usual spot South Africa. Plus Great Whites can be found as far North as Cape Cod and Eastern Coast of Canada so in the summertime is it really too far of a stretch to realise they're probably in UK waters especially with the high populations of seals in certain areas like Scotland and Northern Ireland. To me yes they're here during the summer which is kinda cool and if I had the equipment and what not I'd love to track some down and go for a dive, done it before and hope to swim with one again.

[@rjc1003]

Excellent content as always !!👌 I lean towards a basking shark but only just ! It’s length from nose to dorsal seems like a basking shark but are there things here that make you think white shark also !!!👌👌👌✊👍👍

[@rjc1003]

i have freezed it numerous times and from the nose to the caudal fin this is a very big shark if it is a GWS ? The dorsal fin really does look like a white sharks!!

[@samalex2180]

I don't know much about this but I never saw a basking shark move so quickly. They probably do, though, but it seems odd to me.

[@jamesgallagher1992]

Looks like a basking sharks slightly rounded dorsal fin just as it turns and divesat the last min👍

[@danielfox2586]

Keep up the good videos mate I'm into white sharks since a early age and my dream is too dive with them what's the best place to visit to see then south Africa is a hit or miss could spend a week and not see any thanks

[@Trolldollz]

Ive watched and watched this video and i know you said the white underneath but it looks that the white of the inside of a baskin sharks mouth? The original vid says it is a baskin shark can you not message the person who uploaded it and ask them to confirm what shark they saw if the video says its a baskin shark then i cant see it being anything other ?

[@WesD85]

Fin looks more rounded as it approaches the kayak. Think the white at the mouth area is a Basking Sharks mouth open. Don't think it closes as you suggest. Just think the wave gives an optical illusion of the mouth opening and closing.

[@Discover-Ireland]

Very interesting video

[@isking1715]

Although it would be a rare sighting, I'd go with yes it's more similar to a GW than anything else. How exciting!!

[@awedgewood]

I'd say Basking Shark. A at 7.27 very last frame before the camera quickly jerks (slow the speed down) you get a lovely classic Basking Shark Snoith. Shape of the fin is distorated by the angle.

[@patrickwithers7981]

This is a juvenile basking shark - if you pause the video at 1:04 you can see that there is a flash of white underneath the nose which is definitely the interior of the mouth. Agree the dorsal fin is very triangular but maybe that changes as the shark matures (will have to look into that one). We will possibly get white sharks in UK waters at some point with global warming and seal populations protected.

[@Colquhoun7]

The dorsal fin is confusing in the vid as it looks like a white shark. But having watched this a lot, I look at the nose and it’s long and also not pointed down, but slightly extended and upward (if that makes sense).

[@superandz]

Great video.

[@rhyshunter1972]

if you watch this over n over (just before it dives) you will notice the fin is not the same.the fin on it as it dives is rounded not pointed.