A cheerful day at Carrum Beach in Melbourne turned unsettling after a family photo revealed what looked like a shark fin behind a father and his daughter. The 2023 picture seemed normal at first but quickly went viral after being shared online, sparking fear and debate. Some claimed it showed “a shark lurking nearby,” while others thought it was just “a trick of light or reflection.”

The image resurfaced recently after SES Chelsea issued a shark warning for the same coastline. The group posted, “We shared news of a shark sighting between Bonbeach and Chelsea. Later, a family sent us this photo — taken earlier that day… Was this our shark?”

Skeptics argued the water was too shallow for a shark and noted the swimmers appeared calm. However, many remained convinced something dangerous had been in the water.

Marine expert Professor Charlie Huveneers analyzed the photo and concluded, “The shape doesn’t resemble a shark’s dorsal fin. It’s more consistent with the wing of a Southern Eagle Ray.”

These rays often glide through shallow southern Australian waters, their curved fins easily mistaken for sharks — a reminder that even peaceful beaches can hide wild surprises.