Incident Overview
A popular vacation destination in Hawaii has been closed to the public after a surfer suffered a shark bite earlier this week. The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on November 5 when a surfer was bitten by a shark while swimming in Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai.
Details of the Attack
The surfer, a local resident, suffered injuries to his legs and was treated at the scene by first responders before being taken to nearby Wilcox Medical Center. Authorities were unable to determine the size or type of shark. Details on the surfer’s condition and when the beach would reopen were not immediately available.
Precautionary Measures
As a precautionary measure, "Shark Sighted" and "No Swimming" signs have been posted throughout the beach, and lifeguards are patrolling the shoreline to warn tourists not to go into the water. The bite occurred the same day another nearby beach was closed to swimmers after a reported shark sighting.
Nearby Beach Closure
Po’ipū Beach – just 45 miles from Hanalei Bay – was also closed this week after a shark was spotted about two hours after Wednesday’s attack. A 3- to 4-foot reef shark was spotted in the waters near the beach, leading authorities to close the area to swimmers.
Shark Attack Statistics
According to Trackingsharks.com, as of October 12, 2025, there have been 16 reported shark bites across the United States, including one attack in Hawaii. Last year there were 71 reported bites worldwide – including 47 unprovoked attacks. The Kaua’i Islands are on high alert after the surfer was bitten by a shark at the popular vacation destination earlier this week. The shark attack occurred while the surfer was swimming in Hanalei Bay.
