Aussies flee popular beach after 4.5m predator spotted in shallows: 'No swim zone'
A group of holidaying Australians received the shock of their lives over the weekend when they arrived at a beach in the country's south for a swim, only to spot a "massive" four-metre great white shark cruising through the shallows.
The group were among many football fans visiting South Australia for the AFL's annual Gather Round at the weekend — but their beach visit took an unexpected turn when the giant predator appeared just metres from shore.
Filming the incredible encounter on Saturday at Aldinga Beach, south of Adelaide, vacationer Ebony said she and her friends had only just arrived at the spot when they made the exciting discovery. A three-second video shared on the Shark Watch SA Facebook page shows the predator swimming roughly 50 metres away.
Ebony said she simply "couldn't believe" what she saw.
"We'd just arrived to look at the beach, we came down the stairs, and a group of us was already down by the water — and we couldn't believe it," she told radio station 3AW.
"It was massive, at least four and a half metres. We eventually found out it was a great white.
"Everyone had cleared out at the time. We were like, 'well, there's good weather for the rest of the week, but [now] it's a no swim zone'. We're just keeping our eyes open for sure."
While the moment was startling, shark sightings in SA — particularly involving great whites — are not unheard of. The state's southern coastline is considered a global hotspot for great white sharks, with nutrient-rich waters that support abundant fish life, making it a natural hunting ground for the species.
🦈 Tourists divided after 'one in a million' great white shark encounter
🐙 Incredibly rare 'sharktopus' sighting off New Zealand coast
💦 Tradie stunned as shark spotted in floodwaters
Sightings often increase during the warmer months, when more people are in the water and when seals, a key part of the great white's diet, are more active around popular coastal spots. Though attacks remain rare, beachgoers are always encouraged to be vigilant and to heed any safety warnings.
Marine experts say the presence of sharks is actually a healthy sign of a balanced ocean ecosystem, and the state is one of the few places in the world where cage diving with great whites is legal, drawing in tourists seeking a safe glimpse of the creatures up close.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Wave Capsizes Boat in Bali, Tourists Panic to Escape (Video)
Passengers on a ferry boat heading from Bali to the nearby isle of Nusa Lembongan, yesterday, experienced a horror scenario as the boat was struck by strong surf, and began to sink. Panic spread through the ferry, carrying around 100 people, as they broke windows, fighting for their lives. Luckily, there have been no reports of casualties or serious injuries. Scenes from the sinking boat, however, showed chaos and cries for help – no doubt turning a dream vacation for the passengers, many of whom were tourists, into a momentary nightmare. A handful of Australians were amongst the travelers on the sinking ship, and local news heard their tales. 'The one point of exit was literally a small little hatch,' said Andy Wood, a man from Perth aboard the boat with his wife and two kids. 'So, I think the people, particularly in the back where the water was coming in, were in a real panic state.' One woman busted open a window to escape. Bobbing bodies were floating as the boat slowly sank. Some people clinging on the bow, reaching out for help as another boat swooped in to rescue.'It was just people who weren't used to being familiar in water,' Wood continued. 'And I think the majority of them couldn't swim, so it was causing a fair bit of anxiety and panic amongst people.' Reportedly, the boat was overcapacity – that's being investigated as a possible cause of the catastrophe. Meanwhile, another recent near-tragedy on a separate Balinese island, also involving a tourist and the wrath of the ocean. A travel influencer was at Angel's Billabong, a popular sightseer spot on Nusa Penida, when a rogue wave almost swept her to a watery grave. Sadly, others have died at the spot. Bali bagus? Bali Capsizes Boat in Bali, Tourists Panic to Escape (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jun 5, 2025
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Terrifying video shows tourists fight for their lives as ferry sinks off coast of Bali
Terrifying footage has captured people fighting for their lives after a tourist boat carrying 89 passengers capsized off the coast of Bali. The boat had just set off from Lembongan Village, on the island of Nusa Lembongan, at about 4:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday when it was hit by a large wave. Footage captured by passengers shows people kicking IN windows of the ferry as they desperately try to escape the quick-sinking vessel. Others can be heard shouting and wailing as a nearby boat throws rope to people escaping through windows. Separate footage shows the boat completely on its side with passengers scrambling to stay afloat. 5 A tourist boat with 89 passengers capsized off the coast of Bali after getting hit by a large wave. ViralPress 5 The capsized boat's interior filled with water. ViralPress The 125-seat vessel, known as The Tanis, was newly loaded with passengers, and had been backing out on its way to nearby town Sanur, when tragedy struck. Local media reports that the boat was struck from behind by large waves, causing it to take on water. Of the 89 passengers on-board, 77 were foreigners and 12 were Indonesian. Footage showed witnesses rushing to help those trapped on the boat as it tilted and sank further into the sea. 5 Footage captured by passengers shows people trying to escape the sinking vessel. ViralPress 5 A nearby boat threw a rope to people escaping through windows. ViralPress Thankfully, quick-thinking witnesses spotted the boat going down and rushed to the scene, helping to evacuate passengers who could be seen sliding into the water with life-jackets. All passengers were evacuated to safety by 6:30 p.m. local time and no deaths or serious injuries were reported. As a safety precaution, divers have been employed to search the sunken boat and seabed, to ensure there are no victims. Most of the passengers on board the sunken boat chose to remain in Nusa Lembongan after the incident, but two proceeded with the journey to Sanur Harbor. It's understood The Tanis was only in operation for three months before it sank. The terrifying incident comes just three months after an Australian woman was killed after a tourist snorkelling boat capsized in Bali. 39-year-old Melbourne accountant, Anna Blight tragically drowned after their boat was hit by large waves, causing it to flip upside down. 5 All passengers were evacuated to safety, and no deaths or serious injuries were reported. ViralPress The boat carrying 13 people, including 11 Australians, was traveling to the popular island of Nusa Penida when they became overwhelmed by rough surf. Government website Smartraveller has since updated its advice, warning Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution,' when visiting the country. The website flagged a number of issues including drowning, dangerous boats or ferries, strict entry conditions and alcohol poisoning. 'Australians have drowned in coastal areas, due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches including in Bali. Many beaches are unpatrolled,' it said.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Shocking camping price rise sparks new petition: '$679 a week'
An eye-opening example of the proposed new camping fees in NSW national parks shows how Aussie families will be expected to fork out almost $700 for a week-long camping trip during the school holidays. The shocking increase has experts fearing it will bring family traditions to an end, and rule out camping as the cheap holiday option that it once was. Adventurer and filmmaker Mike Atkinson, also known as Outback Mike, explained in a video to his followers that under the proposed changes, a campsite in high season would cost $679 per week. Comparatively, he found a three-bedroom house for rent just outside the national park that is listed at $600 a week. 'The main reason I was making that comparison is that someone is renting out this house and making a profit with all of the infrastructure and building that's gone into a house, and all National Parks has done is clear a patch of ground and put some dunnies and some facilities nearby,' Mike told Yahoo News. He also counted 89 campsites on the map, and concluded that a fully booked campsite would create more than $55,000 in revenue in just one week. Mike believes if the changes go through, there's no going back. 'It's never going to get cheaper after this,' he said. 'It'll block a whole bunch of people out that just will never be able to afford it. And it will also just discourage young people. Basically anyone who's not middle class with spare cash will really struggle to camp, so it'll just be a trend that less people camp, and it's for rich people or middle class. It'd be devastating, really, for a lot of people. 'It'll affect your kids your grandkids and everything. So it's really important.' The proposal will categorise all campsites into six tiers based on the facilities available, with each tier being more expensive. A simple clearing with no facilities will remain free, while campgrounds from tier 2 to tier 5 (which make up 85 per cent of sites) will range from $22 per night in high season for the most basic campground to $65 for sites that have water and access to a flushable toilet. The top campsites, tier 6, which have hot showers and BBQ facilities, will cost $89 per night. Campsite charges would also be linked to the consumer price index, meaning they'll increase annually. Seasonal pricing will also apply, with higher rates during peak periods and cheaper fees in the off-season. It would mark the first major fee update since 2017. Last week, the chance for residents to have their say about the controversial changes came to an end, with more than 23,000 submissions made. While it has caught the attention of politicians, Mike feels like it's still not enough and has now launched a new ePetition that residents of NSW can sign to keep momentum going. In the petition, Mike is pushing to keep camping affordable for all Australians and calls for three key changes: The NSW Government should fund national parks adequately instead of relying on camper fees Booking systems for campgrounds that did not have one prior to Covid should be removed An increase in the number of campsites commensurate with park visitation Once an ePetition has more than 20,000 signatures, it must be mentioned in Parliament. Mike is hoping for as many as possible, and said he would be thrilled to see 100,000 signatures. The motion is being backed by Nationals MP Scott Barrett, who said it is essential that national parks are 'accessible to as many people as possible'. 'They're everyone's assets, not just the top echelon,' he told Yahoo News. 'Everyone should be able to get into a national park, stay there the night, light a fire, roll out a swag and enjoy some of the best country that this state has to offer.' Mr Barrett recently spent six months with his family travelling around Australia with camper trailer where he stayed in national parks, and says this fight 'is personal'. 'We should be encouraging people to get out into these areas, not making it out of reach of a lot of people,' he said. If you're a NSW resident who is interested in signing the petition, you can find it here. It will remain open until August 21, 2025. Last week, NPWS assured Yahoo News "all feedback will be carefully considered" now the feedback window has closed, and "consistency and equity" for campers remains at the forefront of what authorities are trying to achieve. "No decisions have been made on the proposal," the NPWS spokesperson said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
