10-Foot Shark Filmed Near Children Off LA Coast: What Experts Actually Say About Summer Beach Safety

A drone video that went viral this week shows a 10-foot great white shark swimming disturbingly close to a group of children off the Los Angeles coast. Photographer Carlos Gauna captured the moment from a mile away, and the kids in the water were completely unaware of the predator nearby. They even waved at the drone. The footage is genuinely nerve-wracking to watch, and it’s sparked conversations about beach safety across California and beyond.

The timing makes sense: shark sightings along the California coast have increased in recent years, largely due to warming ocean temperatures. As water gets warmer, sharks migrate closer to shore looking for food and suitable habitat. But before you cancel every beach trip on your summer calendar, it’s worth understanding what the data actually shows. Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, explains that more sightings don’t automatically translate to more shark attacks. The increase in footage might actually reflect better camera technology and more people documenting ocean activity, rather than a genuine change in shark behavior or aggression.

Swimming in the ocean comes with calculated risks, and it’s smart to know what to watch for: avoid dawn and dusk swimming, stay in groups, and pay attention to beach warnings. But it’s equally important not to let viral videos override what the experts tell us. The ocean is still a place where most of us can safely enjoy summer recreation when we’re informed and respectful. What’s your biggest concern about beach safety this summer?