Drone Footage Captures Surfers Skimming Over Juvenile Great White Sharks

Scientists link early shark sightings to warm water and possible El Niño conditions

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:04pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, depicting the complex interplay of ocean currents, marine life, and environmental factors that are drawing juvenile great white sharks closer to shore.Drone footage of juvenile great white sharks swimming near surfers in Manhattan Beach has sparked concerns, but officials stress the odds of a serious attack remain extremely low.Long Beach Today

Drone footage has gone viral showing juvenile great white sharks swimming just inches below surfers at Manhattan Beach in Southern California. Experts say the unusually early and active shark season is likely due to warmer coastal waters and a potential El Niño weather pattern, drawing pregnant females and their pups closer to shore earlier than usual.

Why it matters

The dramatic drone footage has sparked concerns among local beachgoers, but officials stress that shark incidents remain uncommon and the odds of a serious attack are extremely low. The sightings do, however, highlight the need for continued monitoring and public awareness around shark activity along the California coast.

The details

The viral drone clip, captured by photographer Bo Bridges, shows multiple juvenile great white sharks gliding calmly beneath surfers in the Manhattan Beach lineup. Dr. Chris Lowe of Cal State Long Beach's Shark Lab says they've been seeing baby white sharks around 4.5 feet long about a month earlier than usual, which he attributes to unusually warm coastal waters and a possible El Niño weather pattern drawing the sharks closer to shore.

  • Drone footage was posted on social media on April 15, 2026.
  • Scientists say they started seeing juvenile white sharks about a month earlier than normal, around four-and-a-half feet long.

The players

Bo Bridges

A Manhattan Beach photographer who captured the dramatic drone footage of juvenile great white sharks swimming near surfers.

Dr. Chris Lowe

The head of Cal State Long Beach's Shark Lab, who has been tracking the unusually early appearance of juvenile white sharks along the California coast.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that provides information and guidance on shark activity and safety precautions for beachgoers.

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What they’re saying

“We started seeing baby white sharks about four-and-a-half feet long about a month ago, which is really early.”

— Dr. Chris Lowe, Head of Cal State Long Beach's Shark Lab

“They're back!”

— Bo Bridges

What’s next

The Shark Lab's tagging program and network of acoustic receivers will continue to track shifts in shark timing and distribution along the California coast, providing real-time data to help officials decide when temporary ocean access pauses may be needed at specific beaches.

The takeaway

While the dramatic drone footage has sparked concerns, officials emphasize that shark incidents remain uncommon and the odds of a serious attack are extremely low. The sightings do, however, highlight the need for continued monitoring and public awareness around shark activity, as well as the potential impact of climate patterns like El Niño on marine ecosystems.