Twelve beaches on Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island were closed after a shark was spotted near Shum Wan on Sunday afternoon.
The giant fish might be a whale shark. After receiving a report from a civilian, the police asked for an aerial search of the area.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department confirmed that the Government Flying Service spotted what looked like a giant fish from the air in waters near Sham Wan. Officials then decided to close 12 beaches, including Repulse Bay.
Anne-Sophie Girard and her family were among the first people to spot the shark.
Girard was on a catamaran yacht, moored off Sham Wan, and enjoying a party with her husband Martin, their four children, aged five to 12, and friends on Sunday afternoon.
But summer fun turned to horror when the boat's captain spotted a fin. He ordered the 15 swimmers, including Girard and her two youngest children, back onboard.
