Great White Sharks at One of LA's Busiest Beaches

This week, I filmed a few white sharks just a mile from the Santa Monica Pier.
Author/Journalist, Adam Skolnick, a routine swimmer in the area, invites me to fly my drone near him as he makes his morning swim. Not to my surprise, I find a juvenile white shark in the vicinity. This is a slight change to my presentation this week. If you have a beach you'd like me to explore, let me know in the comments.
Special thanks to Adam for inviting me out!
adamskolnick.com/
DISCLAIMER:
I'm NOT a marine biologist or naturalist. As with all KZbin content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation.
For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website.
All music has been licensed for use. For more music, I encourage a visit to the pages of artists I incorporate into these videos.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Reef Guardians
Reefguardians.org
Heal The Ocean
www.healtheoce...
Shark Allies:
www.sharkallie...
American Cetacean Society - LA Chapter
acs-la.org/
Marine Mammal Care
marinemammalca...

[@darrylnelson05]

Human says the sharks are swimming in his backyard. Sharks say the humans are swimming in their front yard.

[@MrsC1223]

I love your comment. 👍😁

[@meaghancote-mcauley79]

Very true it's sad to see people wanting to cull all seals an sharks, like you implied we're in their yard !

[@seagrey75]

Humans think they own everything.....

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Its theirs not ours. Always was and always will be.

[@tima.478]

@@seagrey75 Especially the lighter complexion ones!

[@chusett]

"Don't panic. Theyve always been there" Glad to see people that actually understand reality.

[@LindaC616]

I've only seen a few. Does he actually swim/surf himself?

[@DARWINZOO]

True but global warming has moved seals up to Cape Cod & Martha's Vineyard. Never ever saw seals right off the beach until 5 years ago. They don't want us but they test to see if we're fat enough. I don't mind but I don't swim with the few seals who show.

[@LindaC616]

@@DARWINZOO yeah, it's that "tasting bite" that I'm afraid of ETA, I'm in Rhody

[@caiofelix1815]

One day one of these drones is going to film a shark attack and it's going to go viral. Hopefully it won't make people hate sharks even more.

[@DARWINZOO]

@@caiofelix1815 I find in interesting that you need to be scared of the little white sharks. I like that. And watch the attack off the coast of Massachusetts near province town on the cape

[@CYCO88tv]

It's almost seal season in the Farrallon islands off San Francisco. Would be curious to see what you would see when it's only adult sharks hunting seals and other behaviour. Your videos are amazing as they really help take the negative rep these amazing sharks have.

[@ericmailander3361]

Different white shark behavior at Farallons. They are all adults feeding and hunting from the bottom and almost never observed at surface unless they caught a sea lion or elephant seal. And it's a no fly-zone.

[@CYCO88tv]

@@ericmailander3361 oh im aware of the difference between LA Coastline whites and Farallons. Just interesting no matter what behavior one can observe if any at all is amazing. This channels footage is amazing to watch since growing up at these beaches its mind blowing to see and confirm i wasnt seeing things when i thought i saw a fin cruising the surface just at the edge of the surf all those times. With how grounded these videos are and they feel like you are more listening to a friend than a random person a place like the Farallons or Isla Guadalupe would be very interesting places to see drone footage from just because we would get to see adult behavior which yes not seen as much on the surface but when it is would be interesting to see how the mannerisms change compared to the juveniles.

[@jethrox827]

The woke crew would probably complain if they saw a white chowing down on a fury seal pup

[@michaelreis7010]

That's funny shit bahahaha

[@jdash1779]

True maybe he can catch a Great White breach.

[@raymondayala5355]

I’ve been surfing everyday for 2.5 years in Santa Monica Bay st to be exact. I love this footage and such beautiful creatures. So much respect for these animals

[@PMC_03]

I love this guy’s videos, So cool to see how sharks really react around other animals and people, and the way he showcases it in such an educational way and sense is really cool to watch… From Australia… 👍

[@bullfrogger1208]

Great stuff. I now take comfort in the fact that my fat ass is on dry land for good. They all seem friendly enough, but if they are hungry, they will eat you, and there isn't much you will have to say about it. They don't always just chomp and run. Sometimes they eat. Thinking of buying my ex a paddle board.

[@rd4660]

La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, and Sunset Cliffs in San Diego would be an interesting area to check out.

[@garyelliot5533]

Pt. Loma too....historically a white shark populous region.

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

Yes to these San Diego locations. La Jolla Cove is near the deep trench. Might yield larger adults. Do you ever see hammerheads or other species like bass or groupers?

[@Johnny666M]

That trench runs down through Solana Beach where a swimmer was killed off Fletcher Cove around 15 years ago. Would be a good area to include Del Mar too.

[@Johnny666M]

@@gladtobefreeagain7375 I’ve seen blue sharks, thresher sharks, leopard sharks and every type of bass off of Point Loma.

[@brendonmasters]

Cliffs water quality is terrible more often than not

[@schnitzel1235]

Hawaii would be terrific, especially around busy Waikiki and the surf Spots up north in Oahu. Since Maui is known as the island with the most shark attacks, some educational videos about sharks there could be beneficial, too. Cheers

[@christinehall6441]

Don't sharks mistake swimmers etc for food source? Whilst I don't believe sharks attack for the sake of it, its unreasonable to assume swimmers particularly children are safe out in the water. One bite can de flesh or amputate a limb causing fatal haemorrhage before rescue.

[@shreddedguy679]

@@christinehall6441 end of the day, whether they eat humans or not, sharks are huge apex predators and we dont belong in the ocean with them, u see so many comments saying 'no they dont eat humans' its bad advice.

[@AJLapray]

Absolutely love your channel! I surf in the area often and have seen sharks at Zuma before. Would be a pleasure to collaborate sometime 🤘🏼

[@watergateii3090]

You can collaborate with me, you on top 😀😀

[@Wiarone]

Hey, really cool to see you. I live in Germany and most of them think that there are no sharks on the German coasts, but they do exist, even quite large 😅. I enjoy your videos so much more than the "shark week" videos. Your videos are an example that sharks are not you killer fish that the public wants to sell us .. I hope you can understand my bad English🙂

[@marinawahl6727]

Grüße 😉

[@Wiarone]

@@marinawahl6727 Grüße zurück🙃

[@jilharrigan]

You're doing a great job with your English! 👌

[@meeria4897]

Which kind of Sharks should there be on the German Costline?

[@jayegees1554]

Your English is excellent. Thanks for your comments on the sharks in Germany.

[@TheWooka20]

was surfing at north zuma a couple days ago and further out, I saw a juvenile white shark jump out of the water with a fish in its mouth. it was such a special sight to see!

[@DavidFox60]

I would love to see footage from Northern California, from Santa Cruz to Ocean Beach. Awesome video as always! Take care!

[@milesian1]

Where are sharks most frequently spotted close to the shore? I'd be keen to try and find some from above.

[@rodrigofreitas3013]

You should explore San Francisco Bay Area, close to Alcatraz and piers! Really like your work! Keep it up 👍

[@annyroonie1]

That would be awesome. When we lived there, my husband swam the shark run from the bay to Alcatraz for 4 years straight. I was fearful but he was not!

[@heatherthespicewivesllc8017]

I love watching all of your videos and your voice is so soothing😍

[@mattkoch1432]

These videos are so well made - the footage, the audio, the narration. I could watch these for hours!

[@terrystrachan4167]

I think it is wonderful how the malibu artist has gathered all this data and has entered the scientific world on his on accord due to his interest in drone operation. His narration is classic. His technique and editing are good and getting better. i like the "light" music when he is videoing GWS rather than the predator dark music. I think he is becoming aware of the Ocean and realizing how diverse life is there. He should come up to Santa Cruz and Ano Nuevo Bay to document GWS locations and behavior here.

[@Nintendo1969]

You do a brilliant job for the sharks, appreciate that.

[@Foxie770]

This man is such a natural. His passion and talent is incredible.

[@missmermaid6249]

Try the east coast. We have a lot of them!

[@melissamcclain34]

Agree!!!! I'm in NC and we always have some huge great whites nearby

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

please come to Texas and do some gulf of Mexico videos !!!!

[@Alex-wv6co]

Wow 🤩 Thank you for these amazing videos. Interesting to know swimmers are enjoying the ocean without danger from GWS attack.

[@truthiscensored]

Do you ever film at Long Beach, Seal Beach or any OC beaches?

[@Anna-hi4gl]

I love how peaceful your footages are. The sharks look like small fish with no intention to harm anyone. They just want to swim in peace. It's so interesting how narratives can be so different. From the narrative of "there is a monster. Help! They will eat us" with aggressive music to this calm, quiet and beautiful videos.

[@TheMalibuArtist]

Thanks so much!

[@Greatscott24]

Small fish don’t have the ability to rip you limb by limb, but otherwise so true!

[@GreatWhiteDronE]

please come to del mar! would love to meet you there for a flight some time this summer!

[@maxwaters1461]

We assume you mean Del Mar, California, as in San Diego?

[@efcubing6423]

@@maxwaters1461 yeah

[@Knifetology]

New Smyrna Beach, FL. Sharks everywhere, you could get over 50 in a shot with surfers.

[@Anna-ky7ix]

Beautiful as usual! I would love to see you get footage on the east coast up near Maine etc., to see the cooler waters and what sharks are doing there if at all and their sizes!

[@bryanfuknc]

san clemente/trestles area would be interesting to see...also hb would be cool as well...

[@brooke8992]

Please come explore La Jolla!

[@maxwaters1461]

LaJolla where? Texas?

[@brooke8992]

@@maxwaters1461 California

[@SpirometryFFA]

You should do the coast of Emerald Isle, NC and also New Smyrna inlet in Florida

[@guythompson7218]

Come to Cape Town, South Africa! Most diverse marine ecosystem out there. Lots of great whites, whales, dolphins, seals, penguins etc. & hundreds of beaches with surfers which will make for interesting footage. 🇿🇦🤙

[@toekneelorenzo2942]

I bet u tgat must b nice. I live in Texas so no beach near me atleast

[@hospagalief]

No great whites anymore

[@leomelee8152]

Yes that’s a great idea! Also Durban has whites sharks that can get very close to the shoreline

[@guythompson7218]

@@hospagalief yes there are.. lots of sightings around Caves lately ..

[@hospagalief]

@@guythompson7218 believe those were basking tho, thought the cape great whites kinda bounced

[@simon-pierredrolet955]

Thank You for all your Amazing Videos💙I Love Sharks🦈🦈🦈

[@scottc3165]

This is awesome. You should film around morro bay and north to San Simeon. Another place where there is tons of sea life is in big sur. I once ran over a huge elephant seal while surfing - thought I was gonna die. I've seen fins at Sand Dollar beach.

[@oskarlibelle1769]

Finally a shark documentary without Horror movie Soundtrack!!!

[@gpunisher5000]

That was so awesome thank you so much ! What a nice treat can u please make more videos ?

[@shawn071]

Love your camera work .. I would like to see some filming at Point Dume seen allot of wildlife in the ocean there ...

[@bb0123]

Ohhh i am so bummed. You are flying drone near my fav spot. Im always near belair bayclub by lifeguard tower. Hope i see you another time. Absolutely love your videos!! ❤🦈

[@poutygorilla2698]

OUTER BANKS of North Carolina

[@tobiasschmuecking4958]

Your videos are amazingly beautiful! Thank you!

[@emmaspeed5807]

Oh your films are brilliant 😊cheers me up on a miserable Fri eve in wet n windy Kent in England 🇬🇧thanku

[@babsann8463]

I would like it if you would explore, Jupiter Beach & Juno Beach! Now, the second beach, I'm not really sure if that is how they spell it. I am pretty sure that is where my Sister & Nephew like to swim. They live in Jupiter. I live in MO. This is from memory! Lol! I will share your videos with her. Thank you, so much for the wonderful, beautiful, & interesting videos! Keep up the good work! And investigation!

[@growthandunderstanding]

Pensacola and the barrier islands along the western panhandle of Florida is a great place to film!

[@velomitrovich313]

You might try Ft Bragg and that area. Back in my Coast Guard days in the 1990s we'd see dead sea lions in the area that had met great white. An abalone diver got beheaded by a great white around the same area in 2004.

[@faycalkessouri3793]

I’m wondering about shark activity and behavior at Santa Monica and Venise beach area. Usually very crowded with swimmers and surfers. We usually see school of stingrays and dolphins. We also see thresher sharks jumping in summer time. Great videos!

[@August84118]

I used to go to Goat Rock Beach in Sonoma County back in the 80’s. While you couldn’t swim, there were always lots of seals in the surf, and the beach was just south of the Russian River outlet. I remember a book I read on sharks in the fourth grade discussing several shark attacks in the Russian River. Beautiful, scenic area. One of California’s treasures.

[@ronbrown6103]

I know it! Camped there at Jenner in 1979.

[@alexmiller4090]

You should fly the drone near San Pedro and the LA break wall

[@adventurerwolfie153]

They’re amazing! I’m heading to Santa Monica for a few days next month and I’m really hopeful to see one. Hoping to find some sort of boat trip but I’m from the uk and have no idea where to start looking!

[@timmymclennan4968]

Great stuff mate, such good footage, keep it up 👍.Sand tiger sharks are known as grey nurses down here 👍🇦🇺. I’m off to buy a drone good buddy ✌️

[@wchiwinky]

you asked where else you could film with your drone... New Smyrna Beach here in FL (just north of where I am on the east coast) FL, was on the list of 15 most dangerous beaches globally due to shark attacks)...I swim in front of the Lifeguards where I live a bit south of there =D I did swim with wild Dolphins on Independence Day = Epic (I also don't swim during shark hunting hrs = dusk and dawn ;) Great channel Thank You!

[@ericahorowitz5062]

East coast! Though the water isn’t as clear of course so not sure what you’d see. Sending love from NY! Xx

[@KD-pj7lj]

Your videos always bring me such joy. Thank you for all you do. 🙏🏼💜🥰

[@TheMalibuArtist]

That's very kind of you to say. I greatly appreciate you stopping by and commenting K D!

[@KD-pj7lj]

@@TheMalibuArtist you’re very welcome. 🥰

[@timsnodgrass4637]

La Jolla and the Farallon Islands (as mentioned by other viewers) would both be great picks. Given how busy Huntington Beach is I would also be curious about that.

[@dalemason9886]

I grew up in so cal and these have been for decades, the place you want to check out is right off the end of the Alamitos Bay jetty (between seal beach and long beach) I have sailed out of there for decades and right off the end of the jetty are underwater rock formulations loads of sea lions and lots of large sharks there constantly, we have seen 8-10' hammerheads there multiple times, great whites a few times and always see black tips there every single time we leave the marina and head south. Anyone who lives/surfs there know this spot.

[@elyzzablatchley8024]

This time of year cape cod has a lot of great white activity!

[@LarrySalzman]

Great video footage / story.

[@ma-b6020]

Hey, please explore the south shore beaches of Long Island, New York. There's been so many shark sightings in the last few years. In fact they just closed beaches here last week due to shark sightings.

[@victororozco5515]

Do you ever make it to Huntington Beach? Specifically near the pier

[@sethbadal2028]

You should do San Francisco a Ocean Beach. There's a lot of sharks in the area, due to the Farralon Islands being 20 miles away and Seal Rock which is right there

[@MelanieSaedi]

Victoria Beach and Three Arch Bay in the city of Laguna Beach have amazing visibility. And are several surfing beaches there, too. Also, an amazing shoreline teaming with wildlife in La Jolla, San Diego county.

[@lizarrrdbeth]

This is 1 of the best KZbin channels! I just find sharks so fascinating!

[@d0nKsTaH]

Places to explore: Just off the coast of Panama City Beach. The BP Oil spill fed tons of plankton and other microbes... that in turn fed other fish... which in turn attracted hordces of Great white sharks. One was tracked from Australia to the Gulf of Mexico via computer chip. It's like they knew... the area was loaded with food. btw.. Oil... is pretty much fish food. Not many know that.

[@bryanfuknc]

try san clemente/trestles area and also hb.. i know they are in hb. ive seen them plus we have major stingrays that they eat.

[@megandunntremblay9233]

Definitely Dana Point. I hear DP / San Clemente area has a lot of white sharks here. I live just a 15 min walk from the beach, and close to the harbor.

[@cortnibird1500]

Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach in the beautiful Panhandle of Florida. Florida's longest fishing pier is located in Navarre Beach. There have been many White sitings. Also, a heavy population on Hammerheads in Pensacola Beach. I would love to be your guide.

[@DownToEarthMind]

interesting to see that many sharks sightings and only very few incidents.

[@mikep9244]

Awesome videos man I’m always tuning in

[@gothgirl66673]

There are tons of white sharks up here too (San Francisco Bay Area). Stinson Beach for sure, and Pacifica, and if you go far enough off of Ocean Beach in the Sunset district there should be some. I'd be curious to see how many there are up in Bodega Bay where people go sea kayaking - it tends to be overcast there and the water is dark, though, so great whites could be hard to spot. Also there's Tiburon, which going by the name I'd assume there are plenty there. I saw a juvenile cruising round the harbor in Santa Cruz once, all the seals had jumped out of the water because they knew it was there. A few years ago a kid filmed a great white eating a seal just off Alcatraz, so there are some in the bay right off of San Francisco too, which surprised me because I thought the water would be too polluted for them.

[@overdbus]

Really cool video, do you or can you fly off of Leo Carrillo ? That where I learned to swim/bodysurf in the ocean .

[@takkiejakkie5458]

In the mediterranen sea most people aren't even aware there exist Great Whites at all.

[@malekith13]

indeed, but to be fair there is very few of them, most of them located between sardinia and italia. You can even find mako shark but mostly far away from the shore. But mostly it's blue shark and dogfish.

[@takkiejakkie5458]

@@malekith13 True, although I get the feeling more and more are being spotted at Spain etc. I also heard that, due to climate change, great whites are more often present at shores. I have had several discussions with people when on vacation in Spain and Greece who were absolutely convinced there was no such thing as a great white swimming in the mediterranen. It's also weird how little there has been done by television makers on this topic. There is this old documentary from the 90's I believe which addresses great whites in the mediterranen. Other than that I couldn't find anything among the thousands of documentaries made over the years (shark weeks etc.).

[@kurthuson4507]

I'd like to see around the Huntington Beach area. Bolsa Chica State Beach. I know (sadly) there's been some juvenile great white sharks caught from the pier in the last few years.

[@daniellewood1611]

Hawaii or Kauai would be interesting to explore. They have Tiger Sharks and that would be an another interesting shark population to study.

[@daniellewood1611]

It would also be interesting to see some arial views around the Farallon Islands of the White Sharks.

[@rbmj03]

Florida panhandle/Gulf of Mexico it would be really cool to see what's near by

[@carmencereceda8399]

I find really funny how you or your friend said a shark was swimming in ¨my back yard¨when actually the truth is he is who is swimming in sharks ¨backyard¨/ territory_! Awesome footage , thanks!!

[@saedrix9807]

I’d love to see some footage of northern Cal if you get a chance. I live in the east bay, I’ve always wondered how our shark population (particularly great whites) is doing

[@Dani_SB]

Just moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL. Supposed to be the shark bite capital of the world. Bought my first board. Moved from Venice, FL where we dove regularly for Meg teeth. Heh, kinda flipped scripts on wanting to encounter shark teeth! 😬

[@richardburger3350]

I’ve lived in San Diego all of my life. I was a beach rat as a kid and a lifeguard in college. We had to do a 1/2 mile beach swim each month, and after the movie Jaws, that first swim was a little scary. There have been very few reports of attacks in the San Diego area, but one occurred in the early 2000’s and a veterinarian training for a triathlon in a group of other early morning swimmers was attacked off of Solana Beach and lost his life. It was in 10-20 ft depth. I’d like to know your take on that and see your videos of my area.

[@bluesdawg8014]

There are lots of Hammerhead sharks in our area as well.

[@Darksagan]

Would love to see you check out La Jolla shores or Imperial Beach that's where I usually swim at.

[@SolFutureFirst]

There are several spots around Vancouver and Vancouver Island that would have some amazing shots of sea life for you. Whales, Seals and possibly quite a bit more. My family has a house next to the water North of Nanaimo and they constantly see whales and whatnot from their deck.

[@marciosantos585]

Great job Dude ! Can you do video in Santa Barbara, Rincon surf spot? Would be nice ..I always surf santa Barbara and Malibu as well ! Aloha

[@HRCfan17]

If you ever get to the east coast cape cod has a ton of white sharks that come close to shore for seals. Late summer early fall is when they are most active. Sharktivity app will tell where there are sightings.

[@bobbyhoward9672]

You should do a video with some of the surfers and there stories

[@michaelroberts8397]

Pacific City in Oregon has a fairly good population of shark from the local seal population. Morro Bay, Ca as well.

[@mannyfigueroa]

you should explore Cabrillo beach in San Pedro, there are many windsurfers during summer at that point.

[@joeblow1115]

Hawaii dude. I bet you would get great drone footage over there.

[@ann6030]

I’d like you to scout the beaches of San Diego out of curiosity to see if there’s more white sharks there or at the beaches of LA

[@arleneandsaeedourwedding2036]

Laguna Beach and Seal Beach I'd like to see what you find 😀

[@digitaldyslexia7589]

Yesssss and san onofre. That place is definitely crawling with juvys

[@larryflynt4368]

Farallon islands and the red triangle would be the ticket! Following seas and God speed!

[@user-qs1xc2cs1s]

If you got to come to France, at a town near mine called "Hyeres" , at sea, every year, hammerhead sharks group in a huge "tube" to reproduce. They are very close to the surface and here the water is cristal clear.. Btw i love your work.

[@jackgroufsky8500]

We would love you to visit NZ - bay of plenty. We apparently have a great deal of great white sharks. The number of sharks has greatly increased snd we would love to know why.

[@EricQuinn]

I’d like to see some of the popular areas of Catalina Island.

[@aaron77as]

You should go to Surf beach in Lompoc,Ca.Two fatal great white attacks

[@TheConspiracyTherapist805]

Ditto that

[@jjh2456]

Great White Sharks have been using the coasts as their nurseries for their juveniles for millions of years. It has been their ocean for a while now and we as humans need to respect that.

[@mollyspinner3128]

Come to Cape Cod MA !!! so many shark sightings in Chatham! i have an awesome app that tell me when a shark spotting occurs they’re usually around till october

[@Smottyy]

should film some footage out in Florida some time, maybe in the gulf.

[@room305arts]

and also New Smyrna Beach on East

[@johnmcnulty1129]

Brilliant footage and editing 👏 Only a matter of time till one of these drones witnesses an 'attack'. Somebody's going to be on the receiving end of just what comes naturally to an apex predator, albeit being mistaken for a food source. Obviously, many people, despite being informed of what's actually lurking offshore, totally blasé with a "It will NEVER happen to me !" mindset. Maybe you should add a loudspeaker to the underbelly of the drone, just incase it's needed !

[@DawgPE]

I miss the ⛱ beach... I think you should explore Huntington Beach.

[@TH33QUALIZ3R]

Another great video Mally. Tell me, how long do your batteries last and how many do you usually take with you?

[@TheMalibuArtist]

25 minutes, I have 16 batteries with chargers on me everytime.

[@TH33QUALIZ3R]

@@TheMalibuArtist awesome thanks for sharing. Keep the great content coming

[@heatherhillman2994]

Are you ever surprised about how this drone has changed your vision and interest on Ocean animals?? Thank you for sharing your footage.

[@chriscantor6329]

Have you tried the Oregon coast? The big waves, prolific rock formations and deserted environment make it one of the least inviting places I've seen to go surfing, but maybe I'm being silly.

[@sirus312]

Its kind of Ironic. The bigger they are the less scary they appear to be. Its the smaller/shifty ones which seem to cause the issues. These Bosses just chillin.

[@renniealba]

It would be great to get some cool footage off of Fire Island, and Montauk. Especially off of Cape Cod. Head of the Meadow there is a lot of activity.

[@tap8941]

Just curious is there a certain maximum altitude you are only allowed fly at? I'm not from California but every time I visit their beaches I see planes and helicopters cruising very low along the beach. Awesome videos by the way.