A family’s sunny day at Melbourne’s Carrum Beach in 2023 took a chilling turn when they noticed something eerie in the background of their photo — a dark shape rising from the water just behind a father and daughter.
After sharing the image online, it quickly went viral, sparking debate: was it a shark or just a trick of the waves? Coincidentally, SES Chelsea had issued a shark warning that same day between Bonbeach and Chelsea.
Social media users were divided — some doubted a shark could be in such shallow water, while others weren’t so sure.
Experts later weighed in: the Victoria Fisheries Authority couldn’t confirm what it was, but Professor Charlie Huveneers from the Southern Shark Ecology Group suggested it was likely a Southern Eagle Ray, not a shark.
The mysterious photo resurfaced years later, reigniting fascination — and a few goosebumps — among beachgoers across Australia.