Summary (tl;dr)

A viral video shows a great white shark dramatically breaching out of the water just feet behind an unsuspecting boogie boarder in Newport Beach, California, sparking widespread online attention.

Essential Background

The Southern California coast, particularly around Newport Beach, is a known nursery habitat for juvenile great white sharks, leading to increased sightings in recent years. Marine scientists have linked higher shark activity, including their movement into Californian waters, to phenomena like El Niño and marine heatwaves that result in warmer ocean temperatures. Earlier in March 2026, an 8-foot great white shark was spotted circling a surfer off 35th Street in Newport Beach, prompting a temporary beach closure and an expert warning of a "very sharky summer" ahead.

The Full Story

On July 25, 2026, a dramatic video was accidentally captured by Soaren Stevenson near Lifeguard Tower 40 in Newport Beach, California, showing a juvenile great white shark, estimated at about six feet long, breaching fully out of the water behind his boogie boarding brother-in-law. Neither the boogie boarder nor other beachgoers noticed the shark at the time; Stevenson only discovered the astonishing footage upon reviewing his recording hours later. The video quickly went viral, coinciding with the start of "Shark Week 2026," fueling public interest and discussions about shark encounters. Marine biologist Christopher Lowe, director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, suggested the shark's leap was likely an attempt to dislodge parasites rather than an aggressive act, a common behavior among juvenile great whites.

Why It Matters

The viral video serves as a vivid reminder of the increasing presence of great white sharks in Southern California's coastal waters, particularly during warmer seasons. While shark encounters with humans remain rare, the incident highlights the close coexistence between people and marine wildlife in popular recreational areas. Experts continue to advise beachgoers to remain aware of their surroundings, especially during heightened shark activity, though unprovoked incidents have not proportionally increased despite a rise in coastal population and water sports. The phenomenon of more frequent shark sightings is attributed to environmental factors like El Niño and marine heatwaves, which draw juvenile sharks closer to shore.

Geographic Location

• Newport Beach, Orange County, California, United States (juvenile great white shark breached near a boogie boarder off Lifeguard Tower 40 on July 25, 2026)