Huge tiger shark (with tiny escorts) closes popular Hawaii beach

A popular beach on the Big Island of Hawaii was ordered off-limits to swimmers Wednesday after a drone operator spotted a large tiger shark cruising just offshore.

“BEACH CLOSED,” Sharks of Hawaii exclaimed via Instagram . “Big tiger shark closes down Magic Sands Beach Park this afternoon 7/31/24.”

The camera pans from the shark to shore, showing the shark’s proximity to swimming areas. But what some viewers noticed were the two small escorts directly in front of the shark’s snout.

“Something in its mouth,” one viewer observed.

Sharks of Hawaii: “Those are two fish swimming in front of it.”

Another comment: “Those two fish in front of him are having a bad day.”

Viewer’s reply: “Pilot fish. Pay attention in science class.”

Pilot fish remove parasites from sharks and are thus tolerated as escorts in what’s described as a mutualist relationship.

Two days earlier, Sharks of Hawaii shared a different clip showing a large Galapagos shark swimming near oblivious snorkelers. (Footage posted above.)

“Bruno closing the water this afternoon off Magic Sands beach park. 7/29/24,” Sharks of Hawaii stated.

It would seem that Magic Sands might not be a smart choice for swimmers this week.