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A man believed to be in his 20s is in critical condition after suffering a shark bite at Manly beach, marking the third shark-related incident at Sydney beaches within just two days.
Emergency services rushed the man to Royal North Shore Hospital on Monday evening after NSW Ambulance officers treated him at the scene. Police said bystanders pulled the injured swimmer from the water and began administering first aid before paramedics arrived.
Following the attack, authorities ordered the immediate closure of all beaches across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with officials saying the decision will be reviewed continuously.
The incident follows two other recent shark encounters nearby. Earlier on Monday, an 11-year-old surfer escaped unharmed after a shark bit his surfboard multiple times at Dee Why beach, only a few kilometres from Manly. A day earlier, a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured while swimming in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The young surfer at Dee Why was helped safely out of the water after the shark tore a large piece from the middle of his board. Lifeguards quickly raised the alarm, installed shark warning signs and sent a jetski to monitor the area. Surf Life Saving NSW also deployed a drone to assist, though no further shark sightings were reported later in the day.
Northern Beaches council confirmed that lifeguards would continue monitoring conditions, with the affected beaches remaining closed for at least 24 hours.
Shark experts from the Department of Primary Industries said the size and pattern of the bite on the surfboard suggested a bull shark was responsible. At the time of the incident, shark nets were already in place at Dee Why, though the beach had been closed due to rough surf and large swells.
The latest events occurred less than 24 hours after a group of teenagers rescued their friend following a shark attack in Sydney Harbour. The 13-year-old boy, who was bitten on both legs while swimming at Vaucluse on Sunday, remains in hospital in critical condition.
Police have urged the public to avoid swimming in murky or low-visibility waters, particularly after heavy rainfall across Sydney over the weekend. Authorities warned that increased freshwater runoff into the harbour, combined with splashing from people jumping off rocks, may have created ideal conditions for sharks.
Superintendent Joseph McNulty advised people to stay out of harbours and river systems across New South Wales until conditions improve. He also noted that large swells have temporarily halted the use of smart drumlines, which are designed to alert authorities to shark activity along much of the NSW coastline.
The injured teenager from Sunday’s attack underwent emergency surgery overnight and remains surrounded by family at Randwick Children’s Hospital. He had been jumping from a six-metre rock into the water with friends when the shark struck.
One of the boys immediately jumped into the water to pull the victim to safety, while others called emergency services. Police praised the teenagers for their bravery, describing their actions as an example of true mateship in an extremely traumatic situation.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the shark species involved, though early assessments again point to a bull shark.
Shark incidents have occurred in Sydney Harbour in recent years, including an attack on a young woman at Elizabeth Bay in early 2024. A fatal shark attack on surfer Mercury Psillakis at Long Reef beach last September led the New South Wales government to abandon a trial aimed at removing some shark nets from popular beaches.
