Great white and hammerhead sharks spotted near Malibu Pier amid warm waters

By The Malibu Times · Sun Aug 16 2026

Great white sharks were seen swimming near Malibu Pier on Friday, Aug. 14, adding to a string of recent shark sightings along the Malibu coastline as unusually warm ocean conditions continue across Southern California. Drone operator and filmmaker Carlos Gauna, known as “The Malibu Artist,” captured footage of a great white shark swimming approximately 100 yards beyond the end of the pier. The sighting came just a day or two after a much more unusual visitor was recorded alongside Malibu Pier — a hammerhead shark. Video captured by a fisherman on the pier quickly circulated online, drawing attention to the recent concentration of shark activity in local waters.

Warm ocean conditions may be playing a role. A marine heat wave is currently affecting Southern California, with unusually warm water also contributing to increased numbers of stingrays near beaches. El Niño conditions and marine heat waves are known to influence the distribution of marine species along the California coast.

Gauna later shared the footage on social media, reporting that a couple of great whites had been roaming near the iconic pier and predicting more sightings in the coming weeks. The appearance of white sharks in the area is not necessarily unusual, Gauna said, noting that sharks are regularly present off the Southern California coast.

While seeing a great white close to a popular beach or pier can be startling, juvenile white sharks are regular inhabitants of Southern California's nearshore waters.

Research from the CSULB Shark Lab shows that Southern California is an important nursery area for young white sharks. Juveniles are frequently observed near beaches during the summer and fall, where warmer water, abundant prey andprotection from larger predators provide favorable habitat.

Young white sharks typically feed on stingrays, bat rays, small fish, squid and other nearshore prey rather than marine mammals. Juveniles generally spend much of their time within about 250 yards of shore, according to Shark Lab research.

That proximity means sharks and people frequently share the same stretch of ocean. Shark Lab research found a 97 percent rate of co-occurrence between people and juvenile white sharks at studied aggregation sites, illustrating how often the two can occupy the same waters without an incident.

The hammerhead sighting near Malibu Pier was considerably more unusual. Hammerheads generally favor warmer waters, making their appearances along the Southern California coastline less common and particularly noteworthy during periods of elevated ocean temperatures.

For Malibu beachgoers, the recent sightings are another reminder that sharks are a natural part of the coastal ecosystem. Researchers have increasingly used drones and electronic tagging to better understand where juvenile white sharks gather and how they interact with surfers, swimmers and other ocean users.

The Shark Lab has conducted more than 1,600 aerial drone surveys at 34 Southern California beaches since 2019. Researchers have found that sharks often remain in aggregation areas for months, with their abundance typically peaking during summer — the same period when human activity in the ocean is at its highest.

For now, the great whites seen near Malibu Pier appear to fit a familiar Southern California pattern, albeit during a particularly warm period for local waters. And if Gauna's observations are any indication, Malibu residents and visitors may see more fins offshore as summer continues.