Rare Hammerhead Shark Sighting Off Laguna Coastline Sparks Intrigue

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A hammerhead shark was seen swimming roughly a mile from the shoreline of Laguna Beach, sparking intrigue among ocean enthusiasts and residents alike.

The sighting was documented by nature photographer Mark Girardeau, who reported seeing the shark this weekend from a Newport Coastal Adventure Charter.

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"I don't know a lot about them, we never see them here," Girardeau said. "I know they are mythical; a lot of people don't even think they are real. It makes them that much cooler."

Girardeau posted about the interaction on Facebook, noting that the shark's presence in South Orange County waters was likely triggered by this year's El Niño summer.

There have been several other hammerhead shark sightings in Southern California, including in Malibu and in Santa Barbara, according to ABC7.

The last time Girardeau documented a hammerhead shark in Orange County waters was in 2015, he said.

"The ocean temperature here is 77 degrees, which is the warmest I've ever see the ocean," Girardeau said. "This goes along with why we're experiencing such hot and humid weather the last several weeks as well."