Shark Bite Closes Popular Hawaiian Beach

A well-loved vacation spot in Hawaii has been shut down to the public after a surfer was bitten by a shark earlier this week.

The event took place just after 3 p.m. on November 5, when the surfer was swimming in Hanalei Bay on Kauai, as reported by the Ocean Safety Bureau. A local resident suffered a leg injury and was treated on-site by first responders before being transported to Wilcox Medical Center.

Officials haven’t yet provided details on the size or species of the shark involved in the incident. It’s one of those things—when you hear about a shark attack, it’s hard not to feel a little apprehensive about the ocean, right?

As for the surfer’s condition, there hasn’t been any immediate update available, nor is it clear when the beach might reopen.

In response to the incident, signs warning of “shark sightings” and prohibiting swimming have been posted at beaches. Lifeguards are proactively patrolling the coastline, advising tourists to stay out of the water.

This bite occurred on the same day that another nearby beach was already closed due to shark sightings.

Subsequent to the attack, Poipu Beach, which is about 72 miles from Hanalei Bay, was also closed down after a shark was spotted nearby roughly two hours later. According to the Kauai Fire Department, a shark estimated to be 3 to 4 feet long was sighted, prompting further caution.

In the U.S. this year, there have been 16 reported shark bites, including the one in Hawaii, according to data from trackingsharks.com. However, last year saw a total of 71 bites globally, with 47 of those being unprovoked attacks, as noted by the Florida Museum of Natural History International Shark Attack File.

With summer approaching, it’s often the case that sightings of great white sharks tend to increase along the northeastern coast.

Kauai Fire Department and Ocean Safety Bureau haven’t immediately responded to inquiries regarding the situation.