Colossal Basking Shark Startles Boaters in Rhode Island Waters
So, imagine you're out boating on a calm day in Rhode Island, soaking in the sun over Memorial Day weekend—then suddenly, a fin slices through the water beside you. A massive fin. That’s exactly what happened earlier this week off the coast of Block Island, where a 20-foot —that’s six metres—shark was seen cruising through the Great Salt Pond, stunning onlookers and instantly sparking a viral sensation.
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Captured on video by local resident Jen Seebeck right outside a waterfront restaurant, Dead Eye Dicks, the footage shows this giant of the deep gliding just beneath the surface. At first glance, it drew eerie comparisons to a scene from the movie Jaws , which, fittingly enough, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The video was later shared by the Atlantic Shark Institute and has already racked up millions of views online.
Now here’s the twist—this wasn’t a man-eating great white. The shark was identified as a basking shark , the second-largest fish in the world. These creatures can grow up to a staggering 12 metres long and weigh several tons. But don’t let their size fool you—they’re harmless. Unlike the great white, basking sharks are peaceful plankton-eaters, slow-moving and gentle. They filter feed with their mouths wide open, scooping up tiny organisms as they glide through the ocean.
Jon Dodd, Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, confirmed the species after examining the footage. He noted that while basking sharks can look intimidating, especially with their massive dorsal fins, they pose absolutely no threat to humans. “They look scary, but they’re really just gentle giants,” he said.
Interestingly, Dodd also explained how this particular shark likely made a navigational error—something that’s not entirely uncommon. It probably wandered into the Great Salt Pond while cruising along the west side of Block Island and got a little too curious. Thankfully, the shark is believed to have exited the pond quietly later that evening when boat traffic calmed down.
The sighting itself is being seen as a positive sign for marine ecosystems. As ocean temperatures rise, more shark species—harmless and otherwise—are exploring new regions. This increase in activity may feel unnerving to some, but it actually signals that waters in the area are supporting a healthy range of life.
So, yes, a 20-foot shark appeared almost out of nowhere in a peaceful New England pond—but instead of fear, this visit reminded many of the mysterious beauty that still swims just beneath the surface. Sometimes, even a wrong turn from a sea giant can give us the perfect glimpse into the vast, untamed world of our oceans.
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