Shark Sighting Reported Off Sandy Beach in Cohasset

An unconfirmed shark sighting near Sandy Beach prompted a search by local public safety officials Tuesday, following a report from a lobsterman who believed he saw an oceanic white-tipped shark in the area.

According to Cohasset Police, local marine units canvassed the coastline but were unable to locate the animal. The sighting remains unconfirmed, as no marine life specialists were on hand to verify the report.

Officials said there is currently no evidence of ongoing shark activity in the area but advised beachgoers to remain aware and exercise caution. Sandy Beach remained open as of Thursday morning, with no active restrictions in place.

The sighting comes less than a week after a confirmed incident involving a great white shark swimming near a paddle boarder off Woods Hole, about 40 miles south of Cohasset. In that case, the shark was filmed circling a person in shallow water before swimming away without incident.

While great whites tend to dominate headlines, other species — such as oceanic white-tipped sharks — can occasionally appear closer to shore in the summer months, drawn by warmer waters and bait fish.

Shark sightings along the South Shore have become more common in recent years. Last summer, multiple great white sharks were tracked off the coast of Scituate, including one instance in which a shark was recorded displaying its teeth to researchers conducting tracking surveys.

Despite the increased frequency of sightings, shark encounters with humans remain rare. Marine biologists stress that the presence of sharks is a sign of a healthy marine ecosystem, and that most species pose no threat to swimmers when basic safety guidelines are followed.

For updates or advisories, residents are encouraged to follow local public safety channels and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app, which monitors confirmed sightings across the region.