A short video posted Wednesday by St. Johns County Beaches appears to show one or more sharks cutting through the surf near the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier at St. Augustine Beach, sending swimmers and anglers hustling back to shore. Filmed from the pier, the clip captures dark dorsal fins moving parallel to the shoreline uncomfortably close to people in the water. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the scene.
The clip was shared on the county's official SJC Beaches Facebook account, which identifies the spot as the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier. According to SJC Beaches, the same pier is scheduled to host a "Movie at the Pier" screening of Jaws on April 17, an event that had been in the works well before this real-life shark run-in.
Where This Happened
The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier sits on Anastasia Island at 350 A1A Beach Blvd and serves as the county's pier park, complete with a pavilion, splash park and regular community events. The county's beach services page lists amenities and notes current maintenance on parts of the pier while confirming the site remains open for sightseeing and fishing, according to St. Johns County Beach Services.
Sharks Have Turned Up Here Before
Shark sightings near the St. Augustine pier are not exactly unheard of. Local coverage has shown sharks sliding close to shore from time to time, often shadowing schools of baitfish. In 2016, three sharks were spotted near the pier, and in 2017 a surfer south of the pier was bitten and needed stitches, underscoring that encounters, while uncommon, do happen, as reported by News4Jax and News4Jax.
What The Experts Say
The Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File tracks shark incidents nationwide and notes that Florida historically logs more shark bites than any other U.S. state. Even so, attacks remain rare compared with other beach hazards. The database and marine safety experts recommend simple precautions to dial down the risk: avoid swimming at dawn and dusk, get out of the water if seabirds are diving on baitfish, and follow lifeguard instructions, according to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File.
How To Stay Safe At The Beach
When sharks are reported in the area, beachgoers are urged to listen to lifeguards, steer clear of the surf if baitfish or diving birds are visible nearby, and keep a close watch on children and pets. The county also advises checking its beach services page and SJC Beaches social channels for the latest updates before heading into the water, as outlined by St. Johns County Beach Services.
At the time the video circulated there were no widely reported injuries or beach closures tied to the sighting, and organizers say the Movie at the Pier screening remains on the mid-April calendar while officials keep an eye on conditions. This story will be updated if county authorities announce any changes to beach access or scheduled events.
