The shark lurks behind a lifesaver on a jet-ski on Saturday. Photo: Nicholas Tonks

All Newcastle beaches will close again on Thursday, with council lifeguards emphasising that the great white shark cruising along the coast for five days was "of a size that has not been seen before around Newcastle".

Estimates have the near fully-grown shark as being five metres long and about 1700kg, with a council spokeswoman stating authorities would like to have a 24-hour period with no sightings before beaches are again opened.

Newcastle Council aquatic services co-ordinator Peter Withers, who has served in the region for 37 years, said: "We've consistently seen the big one every day.Certainly it's the biggest shark we've ever had and it's hung around longer than any other shark," hesaid.

People sit on Nobbys beach on Tuesday after it was closed. Photo: Darren Pateman

Newcastle would typically get as many as five shark sightings triggering beach closures annually, a number that hasn't changed much in years, Mr Withers said this year notwithstanding.

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A late suspected sighting of the shark on Wednesday near Nobbys Head means the beaches will be closed for a record sixth consecutive day on Thursday.

Prior to that, there was a sighting by those on board a police vessel off Burwood and Merewether beaches.

A dolphin missing its tail was possibly killed by a shark. Photo: Craig Hollier

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Beaches closed: Five-metre great white shark the biggest Newcastle has seen