Memorial Day Weekend usually brings sunshine, good food, and water fun — but for some diners in Block Island, it came with a massive surprise: a 20-foot shark swimming just feet away.

On Monday, May 26, guests enjoying a peaceful dinner at Dead Eye Dick’s, a popular waterfront restaurant on Block Island, Rhode Island, got an unexpected show. As they admired the sunset over Great Salt Pond, someone spotted a huge dorsal fin slicing through the calm water. One diner, Jen Seebeck, quickly captured the moment on video.

The clip, which has since been shared widely, shows a large shark swimming near a speedboat in the pond. In the background, someone exclaims, “There’s a shark in the pond!” capturing the mix of disbelief and excitement that followed.

A Scene Straight Out of Jaws – But This Shark Isn’t a Threat

According to the Atlantic Shark Institute, which posted about the sighting on social media, the shark in question was a basking shark, one of the largest fish species in the world. Measuring around 20 feet long, this gentle giant likely wandered into the pond by accident.

“Clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws on this 50th anniversary of the film,” the Institute wrote, noting the cinematic timing of the encounter.

While the sight may have been startling, marine experts want to reassure the public: basking sharks may look intimidating, but they’re not dangerous. Unlike the fierce great white shark, which many people confuse them with, basking sharks are filter feeders, meaning they survive on microscopic plankton — not seals, swimmers, or speedboaters.

“They are harmless filter-feeders,” said Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute. “But that wouldn't matter much if you were in the water when one came cruising by!”

Shark Season Has Begun in New England

According to Dodd, this is the first shark sighting in the pond for the season — but likely not the last.

As ocean temperatures rise with the approach of summer, more shark species make their way into southern New England waters, where the conditions become ideal for feeding and migration. Basking sharks are commonly seen in this region during late spring and early summer.

“These sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking,” the Atlantic Shark Institute noted.

Though they might pop up in unusual places, like Great Salt Pond, sharks typically do not linger in enclosed bodies of water for long. Dodd confirmed the basking shark has likely moved on from the area.

Why Basking Sharks Are Often Misunderstood

At first glance, basking sharks can be terrifying. With massive mouths that can open up to three feet wide and large, slow-moving bodies, they can resemble something out of a horror movie. But marine biologists emphasize that these sharks are among the ocean’s gentlest giants.

The basking shark is the second-largest fish species in the world, coming in just behind the whale shark. Despite their size, they pose no threat to humans. They move slowly and open their mouths to gather plankton, which they filter out of the water using gill rakers.

Many people confuse them with great white sharks — especially from a distance — because both species have prominent dorsal fins. However, experts point out that there are clear visual differences: great whites have sharply pointed dorsal fins, while basking sharks have more rounded, softer-looking fins.

This common confusion can cause unnecessary fear. That’s why organizations like the Atlantic Shark Institute encourage public education about shark species and behavior.

What To Do If You See a Shark

Spotting a shark in an unusual place like a pond or harbor can be startling, but it's not always a sign of danger. Here’s what experts suggest:

• Stay calm: Most sharks, including basking sharks, are not a threat to humans.

• Don’t try to interact: Resist the urge to get close or take a swim. Let the animal pass undisturbed.

• Report the sighting: Contact local marine authorities or institutions like the Atlantic Shark Institute. They track sightings to monitor shark behavior and movement.

• Educate others: Share accurate information to help reduce fear and promote respect for marine life.

Sharks Are Part of a Healthy Ocean

While a shark sighting near humans might cause a stir, it’s also a sign of something positive: a healthy ecosystem. Sharks play a critical role in the ocean’s food chain and help keep populations of other marine species in balance.

The increased visibility of species like basking sharks in Rhode Island is not only normal but expected as seasonal cycles shift. As long as we understand the role these creatures play, we can admire them safely — even if it's from the comfort of a waterside restaurant.

So next time you’re sipping a cocktail on the coast and see a fin in the distance, don’t panic. It might just be a harmless giant out for a cruise.