THIS is the shocking moment a surfer is stalked by a shark before a drone warns him about the imminent danger.

Footage captured from above shows the surfer calmly sitting on his board, waiting for the next wave.

NINTCHDBPICT001089402785A surfer desperately tried to make his escape when a shark approached him in the sea Credit: Instagram/@corfino_photography via Storyful NINTCHDBPICT001089402789The surfer was made aware of the shark by a drone overhead Credit: Instagram/@corfino_photography via Storyful

Below the surface, a murky shape begins to emerge.

Completely oblivious, the surfer remains still as the apex predator edges closer and closer.

The surfer suddenly notices the animal and starts desperately thrashing around in the water.

As the shark’s fin breaks the surface, he turns and attempts to flee.

NINTCHDBPICT001089402788The shark decided not to give chase as the surfer swam away Credit: Instagram/@corfino_photography via Storyful NINTCHDBPICT001089402790Sharks are increasingly common in the area – with interactions with humans happening regularly Credit: Instagram/@corfino_photography via Storyful

Miraculously, the creature quickly abandons the pursuit and slips back into deeper water.

The terrifying encounter unfolded near Seascape Beach in at around 8.45am on June 10.

Drone photographer Nick Bertocchini said he saw the shark circling a surfer identified as Rex, according to KCRA3 .

He later spoke to the surfer, who said he has surfed in the area for years but has recently noticed a rise in shark activity.

Bertocchini said he frequently spots while filming the coastline and has captured numerous close encounters between surfers and marine predators.

In most cases, he added, the animals appear to simply be exploring their surroundings before moving on.

“This one stood out because it appeared more investigative than the average encounter I typically see,” he said.

“I am glad the shark and surfer left without any further contact.”

This is not the first time someone has come into direct contact with the deadly animal.

Earlier this week, at a popular beach in Australia.

Emergency services were called to Coogee Beach just before 11am after reports that a “large” shark had attacked a woman.

Paramedics rushed to the scene to find a woman being helped by off-duty doctors to apply “tourniquets to her limbs”.

In the aftermath of the attack, the family of victim Leah Stewart revealed the loving mother had her arm amputated.

ABC journalist Patrick Stack was at the beach when the attack took place.

He described the scenes as “extremely concerning”.

“Lots of people [were] in the water when we heard a really chilling scream going out across the beach,” Stack said.