Jet-skis, luxury yachts, even the odd dragonboat; all things you might well spot in Dubai Marina on your lunch break.

But how about a whale shark? Because that's exactly what happened this afternoon when one of the deep blue's most famous creates wandered a little far off course.

Captured by the pedestrian walkway on the opposite side to the iconic Cayan Tower, the non-threatening 'beast' was seen by Laura, who works at the nearby Marina Plaza.

Speaking to Time Out not long after taking the photo, she explained: 'There were loads of people just taking pictures. It didn't seem too fussed or panicked. There was no-one on the water trying to help it out. Everyone seemed relaxed.'

Commenting on Facebook, Michelle Plant wrote: 'Is this actually a real shark or some kind of massive fish?? I cant stop looking at it!!'

While Siobhan added: 'It's huge!'



It's not the first time a whale shark has been spotted in the waters of Dubai, with videos on YouTube reportedly showing the same in 2006, 2011 and 2013.

Similarly, in 2008, a four-metre long whale shark, later named Sammy, was rescued from a a lagoon in Jebel Ali and nursed back to health at the Atlantis, The Palm aquarium.

Whale sharks are not a danger to humans - choosing to eat plankton and smaller fish - although their size can startle divers when they come across them in warmer waters.

The largest ever captured was a staggering 40 feet (12 metres), while the average is closer to half that.

Have you seen a whale shark in Dubai Marina this week? If so, Tweet as @timeoutdubai



WHALE SHARK IN DUBAI, 2008