10-foot apex predator with ‘powerful tail’ hunts off CA coast. See ‘rare’ video

A 10-foot apex predator was spotted circling its prey off the coast of California, a sight boaters called an “incredible encounter.”

The mako shark, the fastest shark in the ocean, can reach speeds up to 45 mph, according to a Sept. 22 Instagram post by Dana Wharf Whale Watching.

“We don’t see long fin mako sharks eating sea lions; shortfin mako sharks are larger and tend to have a diet for sea lions,” Capt. Todd Mansur told McClatchy News. “Shortfins target everything.”

The sight, captured with a drone, showed the “intimidating” shark on its hunt, the post said.

Shortfin mako sharks are a “prized catch among recreational fisherman” and are used for shark fin soup, leather and oils, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

These sharks are “highly migratory,” so it was a “rare” experience for boaters, the whale-watching company said.

Dana Point is about a 60-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM with the headline "10-foot apex predator with ‘powerful tail’ hunts off CA coast. See ‘rare’ video."