Terrifying Drone Footage Captures a Shark Swimming Below Surfers in South Africa

From Prevention

• Recent drone footage taken along the coast of South Africa shows a great white shark swimming uncomfortably close to surfers.

• Once the surfers noticed the shark, they quickly swam to safety.

• South Africa’s Sea Rescue issued a warning to swimmers and surfers after seeing an increase in shark sightings.

South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is warning surfers, swimmers, kayakers, and paddle boarders to be cautious after drone footage emerged of a great white shark swimming closely below a group of surfers and a kayaker along the Plettenberg Bay coastline of South Africa.

In the terrifying video, the curious great white shark swims right up to them, lurking below. Once the group noticed that they were not alone, they swam away safely to shore, and the shark headed in the opposite direction.

Apparently, this isn’t the first close call in recent weeks, which is why South Africa’s Sea Rescue issued a statement urging water goers to be wary of sharks on Tuesday. They said there’s been an increase in recent shark sightings and encounters in the southern and eastern coastline, particularly in Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, and Jeffreys Bay.

Sarah Waries of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Shark Spotters Programme said that the drone footage shows that the shark is aware of the surfers and was investigating them. “It is important for people to remember that white sharks are naturally inquisitive apex predators and that although shark bites are rare, water users must understand the inherent risk associated with sharing the ocean with these animals and change their behavior accordingly to avoid encountering sharks,” she explained in the statement.

The CoCT Shark Spotters Programme advise avoiding swimming or surfing when birds, dolphins, and seals are nearby, because that’s what the sharks like to eat.

They also warn not to swim in deep waters, near river mouths, at night, or alone. If you have any cuts or are bleeding, exit the water immediately. Before heading into surf, make sure you pay attention to any signage or news of shark sightings in the general area—no matter where you are in the world.

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