Updated January 19, 2026 — 2:54pm,first published 2:24pm
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An 11-year-old boy’s surfboard was bitten several times by a shark on the northern beaches on Monday morning in Sydney’s second shark attack in as many days.
The boy escaped injury and fled to shore with multiple other surfers after the attack, which occurred near the surf break on the southern end of Dee Why Beach, near the peninsula that separates it from Curl Curl.
The attack occurred on Monday morning.Manly Observer
A Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson said the beach was closed at the time of the attack due to dangerous water conditions. It is expected to remain closed for up to 48 hours following the attack.
A picture posted by the Manly Observer shows a bite mark on the boy’s board after the incident.
A piece of the boy’s surfboard has been sent to NSW Fisheries to assist with identification of the shark. The Observer reported witnesses observing what appeared to be a bull shark in the water, possibly up to 150 centimetres long.
Two baristas working at a cafe opposite Dee Why Beach said a lifeguard had told them about the attack.
A lifesaver on a jet ski searches for the shark at Dee Why beach on Monday.Nine News
“A lifeguard came into the shop and said an 11-year-old boy’s board was bitten,” said Luca Cavalieri, a worker at the cafe.
“He said it was a 4-5 foot bull shark. The boy was fine, it was just the board.”
Cavalieri said the attack occurred near the rock pool at Dee Why Point.
“There are surfers there. It’s Dee Why’s main surf break — he was with his dad surfing when about four or five people spotted when it happened,” he said.
Dylan Caccamo (left) and Luca Cavalieri (right) were working when a lifeguard told them about the attack.Kayla Olaya
Surf lifesavers were deployed on jet skis to inspect the scene, and a drone was spotted surveilling the waters above Dee Why.
First responders congregated on a grassy reserve near the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club on Monday afternoon, with one surf lifesaver operating the drone while others monitored the ocean.
A small number of beachgoers swam in the Dee Why rock pool while the foreshore area was empty.
Others followed the search operation from the nearby rocks and headland.
A surf lifesaver on a jet ski inspects the water at Dee Why on Monday afternoon.Kayla Olaya
All the northern beaches are closed on Monday amid dangerous conditions.
A 12-year-old boy was bitten by a large bull shark near a Sydney Harbour beach on Sunday afternoon. He continues to fight for his life in hospital.
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The boy was swimming with friends at a popular jump rock west of Shark Beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse about 4.20pm when he was bitten. His legs were mauled and he was rescued by his friends and a quick-thinking police officer.
The attack on Monday morning occurred four months after Mercury Psillakis was killed by a shark at nearby Long Reef Beach.
Before the fatal attack, the 57-year-old spotted an adolescent white shark while in the water with a group of other surfers, and instructed the pack to form a huddle to protect themselves as they moved toward shore.
More to come.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
