Shark Launches From Sea Onto Fishing Boat, Passengers Stunned [WATCH]

A group of passengers on a fishing trip off the coast of Whitianga, New Zealand, were caught off guard when a mako shark suddenly leaped out of the ocean and landed directly on their boat earlier this week, as reported by Fox News.

The unusual encounter, which occurred in early November 2022, was captured on video and quickly went viral online. The footage, shared by Storyful, shows the shark bursting from the water and crashing onto the bow of the vessel before flailing across the deck.

The video captures several stunned passengers gasping in disbelief as the shark continues to thrash about near the front of the boat. One person can be heard exclaiming in shock as others step back to give the animal space.

Passengers stunned as shark leaps from ocean and lands on their fishing boat https://t.co/1SoPhRcvjC pic.twitter.com/h6biQYG46k

— World News (@Worldnews_Media) November 6, 2025

The shark remained on board for several tense moments before eventually wriggling free and sliding back into the sea unharmed.

According to local reports, none of the passengers were injured in the incident. Witnesses described the experience as startling but brief, noting that the shark appeared to be disoriented after its sudden leap.

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Mako sharks, known for their speed and agility, are among the fastest shark species in the world. They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour and are known to breach the surface while chasing prey.

Beautiful mako shark
The fastest shark on earth. Its muscles and body design have evolved over 400 million years to reach top speeds of 45 to over 60 miles per hour. pic.twitter.com/tFMb4DxF10

— venture places (@ventureplaces) February 5, 2019

Marine experts said such behavior, while rare, can occur when the sharks pursue smaller fish near boats or become confused by reflections in the water.

The passengers aboard the fishing boat were part of a recreational expedition in the waters off Whitianga, a coastal town located on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. The area is known for sportfishing and attracts anglers from around the world.

After the shark slid back into the ocean, the group continued their outing without further incident. The passengers later shared the footage online, where it has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times and sparked widespread discussion among fishing and marine enthusiasts.

Authorities said there was no indication the shark had been provoked or injured. The vessel was undamaged, and the passengers safely returned to shore later that day.

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