Great White Sharks Spotted Off Huntington Beach, CA

A juvenile Great White shark cruising the waters off Surfside Beach in Orange County, CA. Photo: Steve Pace/Orange County Harbor Patrol

Great White Sharks are causing a stir in Southern California again this spring. Much has been made of the presence of juvenile Great White’s in places like Manhattan Beach, San Clemente and Huntington Beach the last few years.

Of course these sharks have always been there but it seems the combination of Stand Up Paddle boards and GoPros have really pointed the spotlight on these sharks that otherwise may have been harder to spot.

Juvenile sharks in the 6-10 foot range spend their early years closer to shore feeding on fish species before maturing to adulthood, moving off-shore, and swapping bony fish for fatter sea lions and seals.

The Orange County Register reported this week that a flurry of activity has occurred at Surfside a beach town just north of Huntington Beach.

A Great White shark can be seen off the coast of Huntington Beach, followed by OC Harbor Patrol. Photo: Orange County Sherriff’s Office

“It has been crazy,” said local Philip Friedman. “The other day we were seeing them jumping and there were helicopters overhead, even a Coast Guard boat.”

The Orange County Sherriff’s Harbor Patrol got in on the action as well and photographed sharks just off the beach.

“I’ve seen an awful lot of sea life in my career, but not great white sharks,” John Hollenbeck, a patrol sergeant.“If you have a chance to see one, you go see one.”

Lifeguards have posted caution signs but are not forbidding anyone from entering the water.

“People need to make their own informed decision on whether they are going to get in the water,” lifeguard chief Joe Bailey said. “Just like when dealing with any other animal, it’s not a good idea to chase them or seek them out. There are sharks in the ocean and they’re out there doing what they do; don’t irritate them.”