Is it a shark? Or is it something far less sinister?

A surfer appeared to be inches away from a deep blue predator but fortunately it was just camera angles paired with perfect timing, captured by Pierre Cazes off Pennington Bay at Kangaroo Island.

The Frenchman snapped a dolphin lurking in the wave on January 24 after a pod of the graceful animals approached surfers near the bay. While the shape seen through clear waters appeared more sharklike, the surfer remained unperturbed.

The photographer, who has lived in Australia for 40 years, made the trip to the coast after hearing the friendly mammals would appear.

Mr Cazes also photographed the playful dolphins catching some waves and curiously approaching the surfers.

A a 3m shark was spotted off Henley Beach about 2.35pm on Sunday.