Jaws drop as shark sightings increase in SA: Here are the busiest beaches for shark sightings

Shark sightings are way up from last year, according to official figures. But at which SA beach are they spotted the most – and should you be worried?

A massive increase in shark sightings has closed dozens of SA’s most popular beaches this summer — with huge great whites spotted just meters from shore.

Since October, shark sightings have been reported at a rate of more than once a day.

That includes reports of 3-4m great whites spotted as close as 100m from shore at Maslin Beach, Port Noarlunga and Aldinga.

But it was Grange that topped the list as busiest beach in the state for sightings, official figures from the department of primary industries show.

More shark sightings are reported at Grange than any other SA beach. Picture Matt Turner.

That beach recorded 24 reported sightings so far this year, including that of three great whites.

Aldinga Beach had the next highest number of sightings at 23 so far, including nine great whites spotted, followed by Port Willunga and Moana.

But experts say the sightings don’t reflect shark numbers – or behaviours – in metro waters.

Fear of sharks researcher and environmental science lecturer at UniSA Dr Brianna Le Busque said despite the rise in sightings, it was “unclear if there are more sharks coming closer to shore in SA”.

“We do know reporting is as high as ever,” Dr Le Busque told the Advertiser.

“Sharks are top of mind for people in SA given the unfortunate and rare cluster of bites that we had here last year.

“When something is top of mind, there is more media reporting and more members of the public sharing their shark sightings on social media.”

UniSA researcher Dr Brianna Le Busque says reported sightings don’t reflect shark behaviour or numbers. Supplied.

UniSA researcher Dr Brianna Le Busque, who also enjoys diving and surfing, says sharks are top of mind for South Australians at the beach. Supplied.

The Primary Industries shark sighting log has recorded almost 300 sightings in SA so far this year.

In 2023, when the state recorded six attacks with three fatalities, about 135 sightings were recorded.

A primary industries department spokesperson said sightings weren’t always accurate.

“Multiple reports can be received about the same shark observed along the coast,” they said in a statement.

“The reports are seldom verified or confirmed.”

A police spokesperson agreed.

“It is difficult to advise on the number of confirmed shark sightings due to a number of factors, including some sea creatures being mistaken for sharks or the creature leaving the area prior to police arriving,” they said.

A great white shark at Neptune Island in SA. Picture: Supplied

With a hotter-than-average Christmas forecast predicted, holiday makers are expected to descend on SA beaches.

In November, Surf Life Saving SA announced more drones, more pilots and more cameras would be rolled out this summer to improve safety for swimmers and beachgoers.

Speaking at the time, head of lifesaving and emergency operations, Sean Faulkner, said given the tragedies of last year when three people were killed by sharks there was a “hypersensitivity around sharks, not just in the community but even among our lifesavers’’.

Mr Faulkner said the organisation had run two courses to train 26 pilots, doubling the number of volunteers qualified to operate drones.

It also has 14 with remote pilot licences that allows drones to be flown in restricted airspace around Adelaide Airport.