A lingering shark has closed Ōhope beach to swimmers just a day after a pod of orca whales gave tourists a show.
Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club captain Michelle Cossey confirmed the regional lifeguards had made the decision to take down the flags after the shark had been swimming in between the flags all morning.
"It's against advice to go into the water but we don't own the beach so we cannot stop people from going in right now.
"The flags are down and that's showing the public we're not recommending swimming plus the shark sign is up so they can see the reason why.
"By all accounts, people are following that advice," Cossey said.