Sydney's Northern Beaches were closed after a man in his 20s suffered a serious leg bite in Manly, the third shark incident in two days. Witnesses used an improvised tourniquet and the man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Authorities cited heavy rain and murky, brackish runoff — conditions that can attract bull sharks — and have warned the public to avoid the surf while investigations and water monitoring continue.
Northern Sydney Beaches Closed After Third Shark Attack in Two Days — Surfer Critically Injured
Warning signs are in place, and beaches are closed after a surfer suffered a shark attack today at Dee Why Beach in Sydney, Australia, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper
Beaches along Sydney's northern coastline remained closed on Tuesday after a man in his 20s was seriously bitten by a shark in Manly — the third reported shark incident in two days.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Monday evening after reports that a surfer had been attacked. Witnesses said another surfer used his board's leg rope as an improvised tourniquet to slow the bleeding while bystanders helped keep the injured man conscious. Paramedics treated him for serious leg wounds before transporting him to hospital in critical condition.
Police have ordered all beaches in the Northern Beaches council area to remain closed until further notice as authorities investigate the incidents and monitor coastal waters.
Conditions May Have Drawn Sharks Closer
The spate of attacks followed days of heavy rain that sent runoff into Sydney Harbour and nearby beaches, creating murky, brackish water conditions. Such water is attractive to bull sharks — a species that tolerates lower salinity and is suspected in some of the recent attacks.
"If anyone's thinking of heading into the surf this morning anywhere along the Northern Beaches, think again," Steven Pearce, chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW, told reporters. "We have such poor water quality that's really conducive to some bull shark activity."
Earlier incidents included a 10-year-old who escaped unharmed after a shark knocked him off his surfboard and bit the board, and another boy who was left in critical condition after being bitten at a city beach a day prior.
Context and Safety
Data from conservation groups show Australia records roughly 20 unprovoked shark attacks per year, with fewer than three typically fatal. Those figures are small compared with the number of drownings on the nation's beaches, but officials say current conditions increase the near-term risk and urge everyone to stay out of the water until authorities lift the closures.
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