Brad Ross was paddling out at Cabarita Beach before 7:30 a.m. on August 18 when a great white shark launched at his board, snapping it in two. He escaped uninjured—but it was the second shark attack at this unpatrolled stretch of NSW north coast in under two months. Here’s what we know so far.
Latest Incident: August 18, 2025 – Shark bit surfer’s board ·
Shark Species: 5-metre great white ·
Previous Attack: Late June 2025 – Teen bitten by bull shark ·
Location: Cabarita Beach, NSW, 35km north of Byron Bay ·
Beach Status: Closed by Tweed Shire Council
Quick snapshot
- 5-metre great white confirmed by NSW DPI (ABC News)
- Brad Ross escaped uninjured despite board snapped in two (Stab Mag)
- Beach closed for the day after incident (ABC News YouTube)
- Late June 2025: 16-year-old bitten, airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital
- August 17–18, 2025: 4–5m great white bites board, beach closed
- Smart drumline deployed—5m shark caught and released same day
- Warning signs added to Cabarita and nearby Norris Cove
These key details summarize the confirmed facts and current status as reported by multiple sources.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Shark Involved | Great white (5m) |
| Injury Status | Board damaged, no human injuries in latest incident |
| Location Details | Cabarita Beach, Tweed Shire, NSW |
| Prior Incident | Teen bicep bite, late June 2025 |
| NSW 2025 Shark Bites | 5 (including 2 at Cabarita) |
| Australia 2025 Total | 15 bites, 5 fatal (as of Dec 24) |
Are there sharks at Cabarita Beach?
Yes—confirmed sightings and incidents have been recorded throughout 2025. Cabarita Beach sits on the NSW north coast, roughly 35km north of Byron Bay, and has seen elevated shark activity during the winter months.
Recent sightings confirmed by NSW DPI
The NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed a 5-metre great white shark was caught and released from a smart drumline shortly after the August 18 incident. Earlier in the year, drone footage captured a shark following past the headland after the June attack on the teenager.
Great white caught on smart drumline
The smart drumline technology allows authorities to catch, tag, and release sharks without lethal measures. The August 18 capture of the 5-metre specimen provided official confirmation of the species involved in Brad Ross’s close call.
Cabarita Beach is not patrolled year-round, making early-morning paddlers particularly vulnerable when sharks are active.
Is it safe to swim at Cabarita Beach?
The short answer is: use extreme caution or avoid the water entirely for now. The Tweed Shire Council closed Cabarita Beach and nearby Norris Cove for the day following the August incident, and additional warning signs have since been posted.
Beach closures after incidents
Cabarita Beach is an unpatrolled beach during the winter season, meaning there are no surf lifesavers on duty. When incidents occur, the council responds with closures, but the underlying risk remains elevated throughout the cooler months.
Official safety advisories
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and local council have increased warning signage after both incidents. There are currently no shark nets at Cabarita Beach, a common situation for many NSW north coast beaches that rely on drumlines and surveillance technology instead.
What happened in the recent shark attack at Cabarita?
Brad Ross was paddling out just before 7:30 a.m. on August 18 when a great white estimated at 4–5 metres struck his board. The shark catapulted him off and snapped the Vissla mid-length board in two, leaving a clean bite mark in the bottom left. Ross escaped uninjured. Witness Cain Douglas was paddling nearby and watched the encounter unfold. The incident was partially captured on the Surfline camera, though the footage is pixelated.
August 18 surfer board bite
The timing—early morning before most crowds arrive—combined with the unpatrolled status of the beach meant Ross was largely alone when the shark struck. The board showed a textbook bite pattern, with the great white’s teeth marks clearly visible.
Late June teen bull shark attack
Prior to Brad Ross’s close call, a 16-year-old boy was bitten on his arm, wrist, and leg in late June 2025 in what was reportedly a more violent encounter. Some sources describe the shark as a bull shark that followed the teen to shore, while others cite sources identifying it as a great white. The teenager was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. Surfers and an off-duty paramedic assisted him before emergency services arrived, using legropes as tourniquets.
The two incidents at Cabarita represent a troubling spike in local shark activity that authorities will monitor closely.
What are the latest shark attack updates for Cabarita?
Beyond the two Cabarita incidents, the broader data shows NSW accounted for 5 of Australia’s 15 shark attack bites in 2025, with 2 proving fatal. Nationally, 68 bites were recorded worldwide as of December 24, 2025.
Today’s sightings and responses
The smart drumline deployment after the August incident represents the primary response mechanism. The 5-metre great white was caught and released within hours of Brad Ross’s encounter, though there’s no guarantee it’s the same individual responsible for the board bite.
Historical incidents at the beach
The two 2025 incidents mark a notable spike for Cabarita Beach, which hadn’t experienced multiple attacks in such quick succession before. The winter timing aligns with broader patterns of increased shark activity along the NSW coast as prey species move through the area.
Two attacks in under two months at a single unpatrolled beach represents a statistical cluster that authorities will be monitoring closely for additional incidents.
What shark safety tips apply to Cabarita Beach?
Given the confirmed presence of great whites and suspected bull sharks in the area, anyone entering the water at Cabarita Beach should understand the risks and take precautions.
Shark repellents and smells
Research suggests sharks are repelled by certain smells, though efficacy varies. No definitive repellent technology has been proven reliable in all conditions. The best approach remains awareness of your surroundings and avoiding the water during known high-activity periods.
Colors and patterns to avoid
High-contrast colours and shiny objects can attract shark attention. Avoiding bright swimwear or jewellery in the water may reduce the likelihood of a curious approach.
- Swim or surf with others—sharks more often target solitary individuals
- Avoid the water at dawn and dusk, when sharks are most active
- Stay close to sandbars and drop-offs—areas where sharks naturally hunt
- Heed all beach closure signs and warning flags
Incident timeline
The chronological record of confirmed shark activity at Cabarita Beach throughout 2025.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late June 2025 | 16-year-old boy injured by bull shark stalking to shore |
| August 17–18, 2025 | 4–5m great white bites Brad Ross’s surfboard in two; beach closed |
| August 18, 2025 (hours later) | 5m great white caught and released via smart drumline |
| December 24, 2025 | Australia records 15 shark bites, 5 fatal (NSW: 5 bites, 2 fatal) |
What we know — and what we don’t
Confirmed
- 5-metre great white confirmed post-incident (NSW DPI via ABC News)
- Brad Ross escaped uninjured with board snapped (Stab Mag)
- Beach closed by Tweed Shire Council for the day (ABC News YouTube)
- 16-year-old bitten in June 2025, airlifted to hospital
- Smart drumline deployed, shark caught and released
Unclear
- Exact date of June attack (late June vs end of June varies by source)
- Whether June shark was bull shark or great white
- Whether June incident was a full attack or close-call scare
- Full recovery status of June victim
- Whether captured great white was the same individual from the board bite
Voices from the incident
“It’s incredible he’s ok. Great example of why I fear open ocean swimming so much. Surfboards have saved quite a few surfers with that tiny barrier.”
— Kelly Slater, Professional Surfer (Stab Mag)
“A surfer had a ‘miracle’ escape after a shark attack at Cabarita Beach on the north coast of New South Wales.”
— ABC News (ABC News YouTube)
“Just a lot of action in the water at the moment.”
— Unnamed official, speaking on increased shark activity (ABC News YouTube)
The cluster of two incidents in under two months at a single unpatrolled beach warrants close attention. If patterns continue, authorities may face pressure to implement permanent shark mitigation measures—or issue clearer public advisories against swimming at Cabarita during peak seasons.
Related reading: Gold Coast attractions · NSW holiday parks
This Cabarita scare follows the fatal bull shark attack in Sydney Harbour that tragically killed a 12-year-old boy, amplifying fears of rising shark encounters along NSW beaches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabarita Beach closed due to sharks?
The beach was closed by Tweed Shire Council on the day of the August 18 incident and has since had additional warning signs posted. However, Cabarita is not a year-round patrolled beach, so closures and advisories depend on council response to specific incidents.
What type of shark attacked at Cabarita?
The August 18 incident involved a confirmed 5-metre great white shark, identified by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The June attack on the 16-year-old involved a shark some reports identified as a bull shark and others as a great white—the species remains disputed.
How recent are shark sightings at Cabarita?
Two confirmed incidents occurred in 2025: late June and August 18. The August 18 great white was caught on a smart drumline within hours of the board bite. Drone footage also captured a shark near the headland after the June attack.
Are there shark nets at Cabarita Beach?
No, Cabarita Beach does not have shark nets. The beach relies on smart drumlines for monitoring and capture, along with increased signage and council advisories following incidents.
What to do if you see a shark at Cabarita?
Exit the water calmly and quickly. Alert others nearby and report the sighting to authorities. Do not provoke or approach the animal. If in the water when a shark approaches, maintain visual contact and avoid sudden movements.
Has anyone been seriously injured in Cabarita shark attacks?
Yes. A 16-year-old boy was bitten on his arm, wrist, and leg in late June 2025, sustaining injuries severe enough to require airlift to Gold Coast University Hospital and intensive care treatment. Brad Ross in August escaped uninjured.
Are shark attacks common on the Gold Coast?
Queensland, which includes the Gold Coast area, recorded 4 shark bites in 2025. NSW recorded 5 bites. While attacks remain statistically rare relative to ocean usage, the Cabarita area has seen an unusual cluster of incidents in 2025.
For local swimmers and surfers, the message from Cabarita’s two 2025 incidents is direct: the beach carries real risk during the winter months, and those who enter the water are largely doing so without the safety net of a patrolled shore. The choice to swim or surf there now involves weighing that elevated danger against the rewards of an empty, uncrowded wave.
Thomas Grant leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australian Insight.