A nine-foot, non-aggressive great white shark was spotted off the coast of La Jolla Shores Tuesday evening at around 7:15 p.m., the San Diego Fire-Rescue and Lifeguards Department announced.
Advisory signs have been posted throughout the beach out of an abundance of caution.
San Diego Fire-Rescue & LifeguardsSan Diego Fire-Rescue & Lifeguards
Image showing shar advisory signs posted in La Jolla Shores Beach. June 24, 2026
The great white shark was spotted outside the surf line and was not displaying aggressive behavior, SDFD said.
A particularly warm Pacific Ocean will likely mean an increase in great white sharks in Southern California waters this summer, according to one of the region’s leading shark experts.
In an interview earlier this year with NBC San Diego, CSU Long Beach Shark Lab director Chris Lowe said researchers saw an increase in baby white shark births in February, which typically occur in April. He attributes the rise to a marine heat wave that began in December and has shown little relief.
Juvenile great white sharks are typically between 6 to 10 feet long. Adult sharks can grow to be 20 feet and live more than 70 years, according to the CSULB Shark Lab.
Lowe added that beachgoers should not be overly concerned, noting that sharks are in the water all the time and are often unseen. He said sharks generally ignore people.
Lifeguards continue to patrol the area and ask beachgoers remain aware of their surroundings and report any marine life concerns.