Surfer Narrowly Misses Massive Hammerhead Shark in Hawaii

Shocking footage captures the close encounter off the coast of Honolulu.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic surfboard repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the thrill and risk of surfing in Hawaii.A surfer's close encounter with a massive hammerhead shark off the coast of Honolulu serves as a reminder of the potential dangers in Hawaiian waters.Honolulu Today

A surfer in Hawaii had a terrifying close encounter with a massive hammerhead shark while riding a wave. Matt Reynolds, 56, was filming himself surfing near Honolulu when he spotted the large shadow of the shark just feet below his board. The viral video shows Reynolds' shocked expression after realizing how close he came to the apex predator.

Why it matters

Hammerhead sharks, particularly the Great Hammerhead species, are known to be skilled and vicious predators, though they rarely target humans. This incident highlights the potential dangers that surfers and swimmers face in Hawaiian waters, where large marine life like sharks are common.

The details

Reynolds was foil surfing with friends near Honolulu in January when he encountered the massive hammerhead shark. The water was so clear that he was able to clearly identify the shark by its distinctive head shape as it swam just below the surface. Reynolds said he tried not to panic in order to avoid falling off his board.

  • The incident occurred in January 2026 while Reynolds was surfing near Honolulu.
  • The viral video of the encounter was filmed and shared online shortly after the incident.

The players

Matt Reynolds

A 56-year-old surfer from O'ahu, Hawaii who had a close encounter with a large hammerhead shark while riding a wave.

Great Hammerhead Shark

A species of large hammerhead shark known for being a skilled and vicious predator, though they rarely target humans.

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What they’re saying

“As I was finishing up this particular wave, I was startled by a large shadow below me and I immediately knew it was a hammerhead shark as the water was so clear.”

— Matt Reynolds, Surfer

“I tried my hardest to not panic so I wouldn't fall. It was a scary moment as I haven't seen one this big.”

— Matt Reynolds, Surfer

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that surfers and swimmers face in Hawaiian waters, where large and powerful marine predators like the hammerhead shark are known to inhabit. While attacks are rare, this close encounter highlights the need for caution and awareness when enjoying the ocean.