Boomerang Beach resident and photographer Kian Bates, 32, headed out with his mate, Keenan Graham, also of Boomerang Beach, on a boat to go fishing off Cellito Beach near Smiths Lake on March 3.

Mr Bates had been taking photos of dolphins underwater from the boat earlier in the day about 8kms out to sea. He and Mr Graham decided to come closer to shore (about 2kms out) to fish when they spotted the shark just cruising around. 

About ten minutes later, Mr Bates said the shark had come side on with the boat where they could clearly see it, before it gave the boat a little nudge. 

"It hung around with us for about 30 minutes. I reckon it would have been about four metres, maybe bigger." 

Keen to capture the moment, Mr Bates leant over the boat, held on to his camera and carefully placed it under the water. After a few attempts, Mr Bates got Mr Graham to hold onto his shirt so he wouldn't fall in. 

He managed to get a series of photos of the shark which has been confirmed by a Department of Primary Industries shark expert as a female great white.

"I've been surfing and fishing all my life. So has my mate. I've been around West Oz and I've seen lots of sharks, Grey Nurses and Wobbegongs, but never a Great White before," Mr Bates said. 

"It was pretty amazing. It was so rare. I just want this to be put out there as a positive thing. They are such majestic creatures."