The danger lurking at one of Australia's most famous swimming spots: Terrified hikers spot a SHARK lurking in the popular Figure 8 pools
- A hiker found a Port Jackson shark swimming inside one of the Figure 8 Pools
- The pools became an Instagram sensation in 2016 and get thousands of visitors
- The shark likely became stuck after the pools were filled up at high tide
- As tide subsided the shark hasn't drifted back into the ocean at the right time
The notorious Figure 8 Pools in Sydney, which are visited by thousands of eager swimmers and amateur photographers each year, was called on by a different guest on Thursday: a Port Jackson shark.
The frightening encounter was captured by a hiker in the Royal National Park who walked from Garie Beach to the Figure 8 Pools to peer at the natural wonders.
'Cracking day. There was a Port Jackson shark in the rock pool north of the Figure 8 Pool today,' Andrew wrote on Facebook.
The frightening encounter was captured by a hiker in the Royal National Park who walked from Garie Beach to the Figure 8 Pools to peer at the natural wonders
'Cracking day. There was a Port Jackson shark in the rock pool north of the Figure 8 Pool today,' Andrew wrote on Facebook
In Andrew's video the pool water could be seen rippling on the surface before the small shark came into view, thrashing its tail and waving its head left and right.
It likely became stuck in the pool when the tide rose and failed to swim back out to the ocean before low tide.
Port Jackson sharks are considered harmless to humans although their teeth can deliver a painful bite if you come into contact with them.
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'Hope the shark gets back out when the tide is up or he's going to starve,' a comment underneath the post read.
'So we should check before we dive in,' said another.
Even for an experienced walker the trail will take over an hour to complete in one direction, so it's recommended that those planning to visit are prepared with food, water and protective clothing
The Figure Eight Pools sit on a rock ledge south of Burning Palms Beach in the national park and can't be reached by car directly.
Instead the shortest hike to see them is a 3.5km track that winds down more than 100 metres to the ocean.
Even for an experienced walker the trail will take over an hour to complete in one direction, so it's recommended that those planning to visit are prepared with food, water and protective clothing.
The Figure Eight Pools sit on a rock ledge south of Burning Palms Beach in the national park and can't be reached by car directly
Since the pools became an Instagram sensation in 2016 thousands of people have made the trek to swim in the crystal clear waters but it hasn't come without consequences.
A number of drownings and broken bones have been recorded at the site of the pools after inexperienced swimmers visited and were hit by rogue waves on the rock shelf.
The entire shelf the pools sit on is underwater at high tide so tourists are cautioned to only visit during low tide or else risk large swell ruining their day trip.
There are no toilets, water stops or mobile phone reception down by the famous pools so it pays to be prepared.
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