Influencer’s First Dive in Fiji Sends Him to the Hospital After ‘Nasty’ Shark Attack

New Zealand fishing influencer Henry Gibbs recounted the incident in a July 24 TikTok post

NEED TO KNOW

• New Zealand fishing influencer Henry Gibbs opened up after a frightening shark attack
• On July 24, he shared his first Instagram post in two weeks, revealing that he had a gnarly run-in with a shark while diving off the Fiji Islands earlier in the month
• At the hospital, Gibbs received four surgeries and a skin graft on his right leg, which was impacted in the incident

A New Zealand fishing influencer is opening up after a frightening shark attack.

On July 24, creator Henry Gibbs shared his first Instagram post in two weeks, revealing that he had a gnarly run-in with a shark while diving off the Fiji Islands earlier in the month — but that he was hopeful to make a full recovery.

In his post, which included five snaps from the hospital, Gibbs wrote that his first dive while in Fiji had resulted in a “pretty nasty shark incident.” In the immediate aftermath, two of his buddies “quickly” pulled him from the water and he was rushed to receive medical treatment, he wrote.

At the hospital, Gibbs received four surgeries and a skin graft on his right leg, which was impacted in the incident. 

“It’s looking like I’ll make a full recovery, which I’m hugely grateful for,” he wrote.

Though the shark left him hospitalized, Gibbs jokingly wrote on Instagram that he had “no hard feelings” for the animal, acknowledging that he was in its environment and hunting its food.

“Wrong place, wrong time, and there are definitely a few lessons I’ll share when I post the footage in the hope it helps someone avoid ending up in the same situation and a bit on how to respond to it,” he wrote.

“Just wanted to say a genuine thank you to everyone who’s reached out over the past six days since the incident, both in Fiji and back home in New Zealand. The support has honestly meant a lot,” penned Gibbs. “For now, just feeling very lucky and with an even greater appreciation for life. Cheers.”

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Gibbs has a combined following of over 100,000 across Instagram and TikTok, where he shares photos and videos from his fishing expeditions around New Zealand and abroad.

“At the end of the day, if my content could put a smile on your face — or even inspire you to get out there and do something yourself — then that’s a huge win in my book,” he said in a 2025 TikTok video introducing himself to the platform.

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