Southern California — A dramatic drone video showing a great white shark swimming alarmingly close to a group of young swimmers has captured widespread attention, raising fresh concerns about shark encounters along Southern California’s coastline.
The footage, shared on social media by wildlife photographer Carlos Gauna, shows the massive shark moving through shallow waters just a short distance from several children who appeared completely unaware of the predator’s presence.
According to Gauna, he was monitoring the coastline with his drone from more than a mile away when he noticed the close encounter unfolding below.
Drone Footage Captures Close Encounter
Gauna said the shark was significantly larger than the children swimming nearby, making the scene especially unsettling.
Speaking about the incident, he described it as one of the few moments during his years of filming marine wildlife that genuinely made him nervous.
“This shark was a lot bigger than those kids,” Gauna told “Good Morning America.”
The video was later posted on his Instagram account, @themalibuartist, where it quickly attracted attention from viewers concerned about swimmer safety.
Although the footage clearly shows the shark approaching the area where the children were swimming, Gauna did not reveal the exact beach or the date the video was recorded.
Children Appeared Unaware of the Shark
One of the most striking aspects of the footage is that the young swimmers continued enjoying the water without showing any signs that they knew a great white shark was nearby.
Gauna said watching the encounter unfold from a distance left him feeling helpless.
“I don’t often get nervous but this was one of those rare instances where I did,” Gauna wrote on Instagram. “The young swimmers had no idea. I’m standing over a mile away.”
Fortunately, the encounter ended without any reported injuries, and the shark eventually moved away from the area.
Photographer Believes Shark May Have Been Injured
After closely reviewing the drone footage, Gauna noticed what appeared to be a wound near the shark’s dorsal fin, which he believes may have been caused by a boat propeller.
He suggested the injury could explain why the shark appeared to remain in the area longer than expected.
According to Gauna, he also witnessed the shark breaching the water twice during the same day, something he considered unusual.
“I watched it breach twice in one day,” he wrote on social media. “And because of the injury, I don’t know if it’s searching for easier prey or if it’s more alert. Either way, this shark does approach humans at a higher frequency. At least by my observations.”
Shark Sightings Continue Along California Coast
Great white sharks are commonly found along California’s coastline, particularly during warmer months when ocean conditions attract marine life closer to shore.
Marine experts generally emphasize that most shark encounters do not result in attacks, and many sharks pass swimmers without incident. However, wildlife officials continue to encourage beachgoers to remain aware of their surroundings, avoid swimming near schools of fish or marine mammals, and follow any local advisories if sharks are spotted.
The viral drone footage serves as another reminder of how easily large marine predators can go unnoticed, even in areas where families and children are enjoying the water.
What are your thoughts on this close encounter? Should beaches temporarily clear the water when sharks are spotted nearby? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
