On a surprise bachelorette cruise and whale watch around the Isle of Shoals, the group spotted two basking sharks.

The basking shark is a massive creature, growing up to 40 feet (12 meters) long, and is among the largest fish in the world — second only to the whale shark. Basking sharks are also endangered.

Basking sharks are up to 30 feet long, and they filter feed on plankton. This stranded 24-foot shark likely weighed around two tons, which is about 4,000 pounds.

An endangered female basking shark was near the surface of the water off the coast of Ireland in April when the keel of a boat cut across her back. Researchers says it's the first such recording.

Note: The basking shark and great white shark shown here are represented at a scale of 25.5 feet and 13.5 feet, respectively; Infographic: Maura Losch/Axios Not every fin moving slowly in dark ...

A 25-foot basking shark has been spotted cruising off the coast of Hampton Beach. Here's what to know about the second largest sharks alive today.

An enormous basking shark was filmed skulking around the waters just off the coast of Marbella on Spain's Costa del Sol. The creature is one of the largest sharks in the world.

A customer at a Rhode Island restaurant this week captured an extraordinary scene on video as a giant shark surfaced behind boaters in Great Salt Pond. In the footage, as the shark’s fins slice ...

The second largest shark species in the world is being spotted close to the Bay State coast, according to shark researchers. Multiple basking sharks were seen off Plymouth Friday morning.

Basking shark sighting in Rhode Island. Unlike the titular creature in "Jaws," this shark is no bloodthirsty great white.Atlantic Shark Institute executive director Jon Dodd says this is a basking ...