What to Do If You See a Shark While Swimming, Surfing or Diving
What to Do If You See a Shark
Seeing a shark does not automatically mean an attack is about to occur. Sharks are part of healthy marine ecosystems, and many sightings end without any harmful interaction.
Still, a close shark sighting deserves attention. The best response is calm, deliberate and appropriate to the setting.
Pay attention to distance and behavior
A shark far offshore is a different situation from a large animal moving repeatedly through swimmers. Avoid turning a sighting into a dramatic chase or photo opportunity.
If lifeguards, dive staff or boat crew give instructions, follow them immediately. They have a better view of local conditions than a general online guide.
Stay calm and keep the animal in view where practical
Sudden panic can create its own dangers, especially near surf, rocks, reefs or boat traffic.
Maintain awareness of the shark's position without trying to approach it. If you are close to a safe exit, make a controlled move toward shore, the boat or the instructed exit point.
Do not pursue or touch the shark
Do not swim after a shark, attempt to photograph it at close range, block its path or try to interact with it.
A wildlife encounter is safest when the animal can leave.
Swimmers and waders
If a shark is close enough to concern you, move calmly toward shore or the nearest safe exit. Alert nearby people and lifeguards without causing unnecessary panic.
Follow any evacuation or beach-closure instruction.
Surfers and board users
A board provides flotation and visibility. If you are instructed to leave the water or judge that a close shark requires an exit, move steadily toward shore while remaining aware of other surfers, waves and the animal's position.
Do not paddle toward a shark for a better look.
Divers and snorkelers
Follow the dive plan and the instructions of the dive leader. Maintain situational awareness and avoid separating unpredictably from the group.
A shark sighting on a planned wildlife dive may be normal; a shark behaving unusually close to divers in another context may lead the operator to end the dive. Local expertise matters.
After leaving the water
Report a concerning close encounter to lifeguards or the relevant beach authority. Useful details include:
Avoid confidently naming a species unless you know how to identify it.
Do not spread an unverified alarm
A vague social-media post can quickly turn into a false “attack” report. If nobody was bitten or injured, call the event what it was: a sighting or encounter.
This distinction is important to accurate public information and to the incident database used on this site.
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