Mick Fanning back in the water after shark attack

Mick Fanning heading back into the water. Photo / Instagram

Australian pro-surfer Mick Fanning has returned to the water just days after he miraculously walked away from a shark attacked unharmed.

The 34-year-old made headlines after he bravely fought off a great white on live TV during the final the J-Bay Open at South Africa's Jeffrey's Bay on Sunday.

As he came out of the water in a state of shock, the 34-year-old said he would be happy never to surf again.

But this morning, he returned to the surf near his home in Tweeds Head, New South Wales to pay his respects to the late Andy Irons.

"First surf back. Feels so good. Surfed by myself but had Andy in my thoughts. Happy Birthday brother," he wrote in a caption to a photo he posted on Instagram this morning.

Irons was an American professional surfer who died in November 2010 after a cardiac arrest.

He is the only surfer to have won a title at every venue on the ASP calendar.