Shark sighted near Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz

A great white shark was spotted about 250 yards off Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, according to lifeguards. The tail fin and the head were spotted poking out of the water near one of the buoys Saturday evening.

It’s a sign these great whites are expanding their habitat further north, which is why it’s unusual to see a shark at Cowell Beach.

John Mullen was at the beach working out with some buddies around 6pm Saturday when the shark was seen.

“So within probably 20 minutes they had all the people out of the water that were swimming and now there are signs posted letting people know,” said Mullen.

Once the waters were cleared lifeguards scanned the beach but the shark was gone.

“You hear about stories where down south a little bit like in Aptos, where they will see them from the helicopters, but here you know, there around but it makes you think what’s different,” said Mullen.

Although a frightening site for beach goers, shark researcher Dave Ebert said more sharks means a healthy ecosystem.

“It’s actually a great sign out here that the great white population has come back very well,” said Ebert, “it just speaks well to the entire health of the Monterey Bay.”

The shark sighting didn’t slow down business at the surfboard rental shop on the beach either, which prompted KION to ask Ebert if beach goers should be worried.

“If you happen to see one or see a fin out there, I’d recommend getting out of the water,” said Ebert, “but I wouldn’t let it interrupt my day otherwise.”

There were no other reported sightings on Sunday but even for a longtime local like Mullen, he’s a little uneasy about going back in the water.

“I’ll fish a little bit out there on my surfboard and you always have that thought about, what did I just see,” Mullen.

It’s recommended by experts to check in with lifeguards before heading into the water.