Australian surfer Mick Fanning is heading home to the Gold Coast after paying tribute to the "warrior" mate who came to his aid during a shark attack at the J-Bay Open in South Africa.

Dramatic vision showing a shark thrashing in the water and knocking Fanning off his board during his final against fellow Australian surfer Julian Wilson made headlines around the world yesterday.

Loading...

Sunshine Coast-based Wilson, who was on the water at the time of the attack, bravely paddled towards Fanning and the shark hoping to help fight it off.

Fanning, who lives on the Gold Coast, yesterday made an emotional post to Instagram thanking his friend.

"So thankful to be able to have this hug with @julian_wilson this man came to my aid like a warrior!! It was by far the scariest thing I have ever been through and am still rattled," it read.

"In our sport we always think about sharks and know we are in their domain. Many thanks to all the people that have reached out and sent their wishes. Jbay is an incredible place and I will go back one day.

"Thanks to the @wsl announcers and water patrol for being on top of us and the care they showed us and to all my friends on tour that were by my side. Love you all."

Fanning has spoken about the outpouring of emotion after he was comforted by friends once the television cameras turned away following his return to shore.

"In that little room a few of my closest friends from the CT [world tour] came in and I completely lost it," Fanning said on sponsor Red Bull's website.

"There was about eight grown men in there, and every single one of us was crying. At that moment I realised there was going to be some serious concern from my family and friends around the world."

Later that evening Fanning was joined by friends at his Jeffreys Bay accommodation. They had a few drinks and some dinner to celebrate Fanning's survival.

"I felt like I was at my own wake to be honest," he said.

"I got some sleep but it was a pretty restless night."

Fanning said he has watched back video of the shark attack many times and still finds it all a bit surreal.

The three-time world champion's priority is to reunite with family on the Gold Coast when he returns on Tuesday night and he remains uncertain about a return to the contest arena.

"I really don't know at this point," he said.

"It's one of those things that throws your perspective completely out of whack. I'm not thinking about contests and titles, my mind is purely on family and friendships right now."

Bond between Fanning and Wilson families cemented

The relieved mothers of Fanning and Wilson said they were grateful the boys were coming home and jokingly added "with all their bits".

Fanning's mother Elizabeth Osborne has offered a very public thank you to Nola Wilson.

"Thank you to your family and especially to Julian for being such a hero and caring about what was happening to my son," Ms Osborne told Ms Wilson during a live cross on the Nine Network.

"We have been friends for quite a while and this will just cement a very, very close friendship."

Ms Osborne witnessed the attack live on television yesterday which she described as "terrifying".

"I was absolutely terrified. I went over to the television almost as though I could pull him out ... to save him," she said.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought we'd lost him."

Fellow surfers and Australian supporters expressed praise and relief on social media following the attack.

Loading

Loading

Fanning is scheduled to appear at a press conference this afternoon.

Sorry, this video has expired Mick Fanning escapes shark attack during surf tournament

ABC/AAP