The encounter was captured on drone video<\/a> by Carlos Gauna, a wildlife photographer known as the “Malibu Artist,” who said it was one of the few times he felt genuinely uneasy while observing sharks.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n SHARK SIGHTINGS TRIGGER BEACH ALARM AFTER SWIMMER IS BITTEN DURING SUMMER SPIKE<\/a><\/p>\n The shark had a large boat propeller strike wound across its back and dorsal fin, Gauna said \u2014 which he believes may have affected its behavior.<\/p>\n “My observations showed the shark to be rather active,” he wrote, adding that he watched it breach twice in one day.<\/p>\n A 10-foot great white shark (not pictured) was spotted swimming alarmingly close to a group of young swimmers along the Southern California coastline. (Joseph Prezioso\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n “Because of the injury, I don’t know if it’s searching for easier prey or if it’s more alert,” Gauna also wrote. “Either way, this shark does approach humans at a higher frequency. At least by my observations.”<\/p>\n The wild video sparked hundreds<\/a> of comments \u2014 with many viewers saying they would immediately leave the water if they noticed a drone hovering overhead.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n “If I’m swimming and see a drone over me, I’m out of there,” one user commented.<\/p>\n Others said the footage showed that great white sharks often investigate people without attacking.<\/p>\n The children shown in the video (not pictured) were completely unaware that the shark was nearby \u2014 and it eventually turned away. (iStock)<\/p>\n “It just proves they aren’t interested in us,” one viewer wrote. “It went to see what the splashing was and turned away. It still had my heart racing, though.”<\/p>\n Several commenters also suggested that beachgoers should be alerted when sharks are spotted nearby, with some proposing warning lights or audible signals to help swimmers safely exit the water.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Fox News Digital previously reported that shark experts have urged beachgoers to stay alert<\/a> this summer as sightings increased along several U.S. coastlines.<\/p>\n Several commenters suggested that beachgoers should be alerted when sharks are spotted nearby. (iStock)<\/p>\n Marine biologist Mike Heithaus of Florida International University told Fox News Digital that shark bites remain unusual, even during the busy summer beach season.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n “People should always be aware of local conditions and\u00a0listen to lifeguards<\/a>, but shark bites are very rare,” he emphasized.<\/p>\n The shark encounter was captured on drone video by a videographer. (iStock)<\/p>\n He recommended that people avoid murky water, that they stay away from areas where large schools of fish are visible and that they avoid places where other people are actively fishing.<\/p>\n Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Great](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/shark-sighting-ocean.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mother,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/family-swimming-ocean.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Great](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/great-white-shark-fin-ocean.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Southern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/shark.jpg\")
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