Shark attack at Fish Hoek beach, South Africa.

Cape Town - A man is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark while swimming at Fish Hoek beach, the NSRI said on Wednesday.

"The NSRI and emergency officials are currently attending to him," said Craig Lambinon of the National Sea Rescue Institute.

He added that officials have asked the public to steer clear of the scene, and have urged people to stay out of the sea in the entire False Bay area.

Lambinon said the man was apparently fairly far out to sea when he was attacked. He could not yet say what type of shark attacked the man.