Great White Shark Attack Caught on Camera in Maine’s Boothbay Harbor

Recently we brought you a story about Boothbay Harbor, Maine being ranked in the top 10 harbors in the United States and now we're bringing you a totally different story about the same harbor.

Typically a day on the water in Boothbay Harbor is pretty lowkey, but for one couple enjoying the waters last Wednesday, a typical day on the ocean turned into something straight out of a wildlife documentary, or maybe even a JAWS sequel.

According to a report from WGME, Ashley McLennan and her husband were about half a mile off the coast when they witnessed something jaw(s)-dropping: a shark actively hunting and attacking a seal, right beside their fishing boat.

And this wasn’t just any shark.

Was this really a Great White shark attack?

Two scientists, speaking to the Midcoast Villager, have since confirmed what the McLennans already suspected. The predator circling their boat was actually a great white shark. You read that right. The literal apex predator of the freakin' ocean, cruising through the waters off Midcoast Maine like it owned the place.

Ashley told  CBS13 that the shark stuck around for roughly ten minutes, swimming loops around their boat after the initial attack. From their vantage point, they estimated the shark was at least eight feet long and in the video footage they captured, the massive fish can be seen aggressively attacking its prey.

READ MORE: Maine's Boothbay Harbor ranked in the top 10 nationally

Maine marine experts say that great whites are becoming increasingly common in the Gulf of Maine, especially during the warmer summer months when seals are abundant.

So while it’s still incredibly rare to witness something this wild up close, it’s a reminder to stay aware when enjoying Maine’s beautiful coastline, whether you're swimming, boating, or simply scanning the horizon.