A 10-foot great white shark forced authorities to close a mile-long stretch of Huntington Beach for 48 hours after lifeguards spotted the predator feasting on a sea lion carcass just yards from shore, displaying aggressive behavior that sent swimmers scrambling for safety.
Beach Closure Extends One Mile in Both Directions
The Huntington Beach Fire Department Marine Safety Division ordered the immediate closure Wednesday morning at 10am, shutting down waters from North Pacific Avenue to 12th Street. Lifeguards observed the shark thrashing violently in the surf near Sunset Beach, consuming its prey dangerously close to the shoreline. Officials warned that great white sharks pose heightened risks when actively feeding on large prey, as their aggressive behavior becomes unpredictable and the presence of blood attracts additional predators to the area.
The Marine Safety Division posted closure warnings on Instagram, urging beachgoers to obey posted signs and consult with lifeguards before entering the water. No injuries or close encounters were reported during the incident. The 48-hour closure remained in effect through Friday morning, preventing thousands of beachgoers from accessing the popular Southern California coastline during prime beach weather. Officials emphasized that public safety demanded the extended closure given the shark’s feeding behavior and proximity to heavily populated swimming areas.
BREAKING 🚨🚨 HUNTINGTON BEACH CLOSED ‼️#HuntingtonBeach / #California
The water 1 mile in each direction from HB pier has been CLOSED, due to a sighting of a 10-12ft Great White Shark. This also impacts a surf competition scheduled for today. pic.twitter.com/oozjhWfsq3
— OC Scanner 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@OC_Scanner) April 24, 2026
Shark Encounters Rising Along Southern California Coast
Marine experts confirm that shark sightings along the Southern California coastline have increased significantly in recent months. Drone footage from Manhattan Beach posted April 15 captured a shark swimming directly beneath a surfer on a purple paddleboard, the predator’s silhouette clearly visible just inches below the water’s surface. Southern California’s coastal waters provide ideal habitat for juvenile great white sharks, offering suitable temperatures and abundant prey including sea lions, seals, and fish populations.
Recent Encounters Raise Safety Concerns
The Huntington Beach closure follows a similar incident in Newport Beach just one month earlier. In March, authorities temporarily halted ocean access after a surfer reported a shark circling beneath her board, gliding through the water in a pattern suggesting hunting behavior. These recurring encounters have prompted marine safety officials to increase monitoring efforts and implement faster response protocols. California’s coastal communities now face the challenge of balancing public beach access with legitimate safety concerns as shark populations recover and increasingly overlap with recreational water activities during peak season.
