Newport Beach Closes Beach After Shark Sighting

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On Thursday afternoon, lifeguards in Newport Beach, California reported an 8-foot great white shark sighting near 35th Street beach. The city immediately closed access to the water, initially for 4 hours, but later extended the closure indefinitely as a precaution.

Why it matters

Shark sightings near populated beaches can pose a serious public safety risk, leading officials to close beaches to protect swimmers and surfers. This incident highlights the need for coastal communities to have effective protocols in place to respond quickly to potential shark encounters.

The details

Around 1:15 pm on Thursday, lifeguards were alerted to the presence of an 8-foot great white shark circling a surfer near 35th Street beach in Newport Beach. City spokeswoman Georgia Rios said officials initially planned a 4-hour closure of the beach, but later extended it indefinitely until further notice. Beachgoers are still allowed on the sand, but are restricted from entering the water.

• The shark sighting occurred around 1:15 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
• The initial 4-hour beach closure was later extended indefinitely.

What’s next

Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and reopen the beach once it is deemed safe for the public to return to the water.