A third shark sighting at Waihi Beach in the last week is being described as 'a bit irregular” by lifeguards at the holiday hot spot, despite not closing the beach to holidaygoers.

Yesterday's shark, believed to be about 2 metres long, was seen heading north from Three Mile Creek at Waihi Beach, about 20 metres from the high-tide mark in the afternoon, according to police.

Photo: File

Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service patrol captain Morgan Sloog says lifeguards did not see the shark itself with reports coming from a member of the public of what could have been a shadow.

He says lifeguards and police advised beachgoers of the sighting, but the patrol area was not closed down.

'It was more just warning people in that area but the flags were never closed,” says Morgan.

He says shark sightings along the beach have been scarce as of late, but three in a week is unusual.

'Not many sightings have happened over the last few seasons, so yeah it's a bit irregular.”

This is the third sighting of a shark in the area after one was also spotted at the north end of the beach on Christmas Eve, forcing swimmers to exit the water.

A shark had also been seen near the shore on Sunday afternoon.

Morgan says there has been a steady flow of people on the beach in the last few days and is expecting numbers to swell now that the Christmas period is finished.

He urges members of the public to continue reporting any sightings or information they have about the sharks.