A dramatic video showing a great white shark leaping out of the water near California’s Newport Beach has gone viral on social media, capturing the attention of marine enthusiasts and wildlife experts around the world.
According to international media reports, Soren Stevenson was filming his relative while they were surfing near Newport Beach when an unexpected moment unfolded. A great white shark suddenly burst out of the water in a spectacular leap, and the rare sight was captured on camera.
Stevenson later said he did not notice the shark while recording the video. It was only after reviewing the footage that he realized the incredible encounter had been recorded, leaving him both surprised and amazed.
Christopher Lowe, a marine biology professor and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, said the shark appears to be a juvenile great white. He suggested the animal was likely displaying playful behavior rather than showing signs of aggression.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that great white sharks are found in temperate and subtropical oceans around the world. They are known to migrate in response to changing water temperatures and are commonly found in U.S. coastal waters.
Wildlife officials also noted that warmer ocean temperatures and changing weather conditions associated with the 2026 El Niño pattern could increase the likelihood of great white sharks appearing near Southern California’s coastline.
Although sightings of great white sharks often attract public attention, experts advise beachgoers and surfers to remain calm, follow local safety guidance, and remember that shark encounters with humans remain relatively uncommon.
