Great white shark breaching

California beachgoer Erin King filmed a great white shark breaching the Pacific Ocean near Monterey Bay on October 17, 2026.

“I'm ready for the fall but I'm a summer sunshine girl through and through. The ocean is home for me...”

Shark breach captured

California State Park officials reported a shark breach on their Surfline cameras at 12:20pm on October 17, 2026.

Chief Ranger confirms

Chief Ranger Mike Dippel confirmed the video matched the Surfline camera timestamp and was likely the same shark.

Fall migration pattern

Dippel explained that October is a common time for great white sharks to migrate to the Central Coast.

Shark sightings surge

California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported a surge in shark sightings since June 2026.

Recent shark incident

An aggressive great white shark was spotted off Huntington Beach on October 13, 2026, prompting water closures.

El Niño effect

Warmer El Niño ocean conditions are shifting juvenile white sharks northward toward California.

Shark lab expert

Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab director Chris Lowe noted juvenile white sharks prefer ocean temperatures of 67-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shark advisory issued

State Parks issued a shark advisory for Marina State Beach for the rest of the week.

Safety warning

Dippel urged beachgoers to stay alert and use caution while swimming or surfing near the Central Coast this fall.