Sandshark

The Sandshark is a stealthy ambush predator that buries itself beneath the sandy seafloor, waiting motionless for prey to swim overhead. Once a target is within range, the Sandshark erupts from the sand in a burst of sediment, striking before the victim can react. Because it is nearly invisible when buried, the Sandshark is one of the most deceptive threats in Subnautica 2 — you often will not know one is there until it is already attacking. Its habitat overlaps with resource-rich sandy flats, making caution essential when harvesting near the seafloor.

Sandsharks are patient hunters. They dig into the sand until only the faintest outline is visible, then wait for fish or players to pass close. When triggered, they launch upward with explosive speed, grab their prey, and drag it toward the seafloor. After an attack, a Sandshark will often re-bury itself nearby, resetting the ambush. They are most active in open sandy areas where the substrate is soft enough to burrow, and they tend to avoid rocky or kelp-covered terrain where concealment is impossible.

The key to surviving Sandsharks is vigilance and positioning. Since they are nearly invisible when buried, you must watch for subtle sand disturbances on the seafloor — small mounds or sediment clouds are the only warning. Stay elevated off the seafloor when crossing sandy areas, and use a vehicle for protection if available. If a Sandshark attacks, swim upward immediately to break out of its strike range, then reposition before it re-buries.

Sandsharks are not edible and drop no unique resources. If killed, they yield only generic biomass suitable for Bioreactor fuel. Given the danger of provoking them, there is little incentive to hunt Sandsharks for materials — avoidance is the practical strategy.

Sandsharks inhabit sandy areas of the seafloor, typically between 50m and 150m depth. They prefer open, soft substrate where they can bury themselves, and are commonly found on the flats surrounding grassy plateaus and between biome borders. Use the interactive map to identify sandy zones and plan routes that stay above the seafloor.