A shark sighting off Hillarys, Western Australia, prompted a helicopter crew to sound its siren and alert beachgoers on 1 October 2025, according to PerthNow. The report described the shark as a great white estimated at five metres, but the species and size are not independently confirmed by the official sources consulted. This was a dated report, not a current alert.
What was reported off Hillarys
PerthNow reported that a Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter crew spotted a shark at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, roughly 600 metres off Hillarys Dog Beach. The report said the shark was circling five kayakers and was estimated to be five metres long. It also described the animal as a great white; neither its species nor its estimated size is independently confirmed by the official sources consulted. PerthNow’s report was published at 2:05 p.m. that day, but its page could not be opened when checked.
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PerthNow quoted a Surf Life Saving WA spokesperson saying the crew sounded the siren because of the shark’s reported size and proximity to the kayakers, to alert beachgoers to a potential hazard. The spokesperson advised people to exercise additional caution. The report described an authority warning amid several white-shark detections on the WA coast in preceding days, during school holidays and warmer weather.
A separate kayak encounter described in the report
PerthNow also recounted a separate encounter the preceding weekend involving four kayakers about a kilometre offshore: Margaret Banks, Richard Lailey, Pel Turner and Wolfgang Wetzig. According to the report, the group tied their boats together as a raft and radioed for help after a shark circled them. A helicopter and sea-rescue boat arrived, while wind was pushing the group towards shore. These details and the participants’ recollections are attributed to PerthNow; they are not independent confirmation of the 1 October sighting.
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Wetzig told PerthNow that he saw a dark shadow approach, then felt the shark swimming close beneath his boat; he said its dorsal fin scratched the boat and he could feel vibration. Banks said, “You realise how vulnerable you are in a kayak.” Turner described the rescue response as quick and said the wind was pushing them towards the beach. Wetzig later called the experience an adventure he might see only once in his lifetime.
How to check current shark activity in WA
The 2025 report should not be treated as a live warning. For current conditions, check SharkSmart WA before entering the water. The service publishes sightings, tagged detections, alerts and warnings; its app provides near-real-time activity information and notifications. Follow any current local government or Surf Life Saving WA beach closure. Shark sightings can be reported to Water Police on 9442 8600.
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As a dated example rather than a present-day status, the SharkSmart alerts page showed a Perth metropolitan warning on 1 October 2026 advising additional caution because of continued reported sightings and tagged detections. Alerts change, so check the live page rather than relying on an earlier warning.
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A Western Australian Government statement dated 11 September 2026 says metropolitan helicopter patrols cover the coast between Mandurah and Yanchep, as well as Rottnest Island. When a shark is sighted close by, crews can hover and sound a siren to alert beach users. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis described the patrols as “important eyes in the sky,” helping keep people safe and informed.
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The same government statement reported figures for the preceding patrol season: 707 patrols, almost 1,000 flying hours, 60 search-and-rescue missions, 711 shark sightings and 83 beach closures. It also reported more than 296,000 downloads of the SharkSmart WA app. These are season-wide figures in the 2026 statement, not statistics for the Hillarys incident.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Kayak lifejacket rules depend on conditions and distance
Western Australian Transport guidance includes kayaks in its definition of paddle craft. It recommends wearing a Level 50S or higher lifejacket in protected waters or within 400 metres of shore. More than 400 metres offshore in unprotected ocean waters, everyone aboard a paddle craft under 4.8 metres must wear a Level 50S or higher lifejacket. On a craft 4.8 metres or longer, a Level 50S or higher lifejacket must be carried for everyone aboard. Check the latest paddle-craft guidance and choose a lifejacket with the correct type, size and fit for the paddler and conditions. These rules are general preparation advice; PerthNow did not establish what equipment the kayakers in either account carried. A lifejacket is not a shark deterrent.
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