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A young surfer has escaped uninjured after a shark bit off a chunk of his surfboard on Sydney's northern beachesin the city's second shark-related incident in less than 24 hours.

Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed the boy was unharmed after an encounter with a shark at Dee Why Beach just before lunchtime on Monday.

NSW Police were told by witnesses at the scene that the boy involved is an 11-year-old.

Resources from police marine area command have been deployed to the beach.

NSW Ambulance said it was not called to the scene.

A drone has been launched to try and locate the shark involved.

Northern Beaches Council said that no other sharks had been cited since, with the earlier report activating "shark sighting protocols".

"Council lifeguards immediately sounded the alarm, erected shark warning signage and dispensed a jet ski to patrol the waters," they said in a statement.

"NSW Surf Life Saving launched a drone and Department of Primary Industries were notified.

"Council Lifeguards will continue to patrol for the remainder of the day and tomorrow, and the beach will remain closed for at least 24 hours." 

The type of shark involved in the attack has not been identified.

Dee Why Beach had been closed for the last few days due to rough surf conditions.

Boy was 'very lucky'

David Baxter has been working with sharks for more than 40 years. He told ABC News Channel that the boy was "very lucky".

"He's had his board bitten, and he got out of it unscathed," he said.

 "Apart from the shock of what happened, the fact is that the conditions were just right for species like a bull shark. 

"We've got dirty water, overcast, rain. A lot of the run-offs from the creeks and the drains and that it stimulates the curiosity of sharks."

The founder of Marine Life Rangers said while shark attacks cannot be stopped, "better preventive measures" can be taken.

Automated drone systems for when lifeguards and lifesavers aren't on duty and more education are among his suggestions.

"We want to get rid of the shark nets, and that's always a contentious issue," he said.

"Many people think with their heart not with their brain. But from a scientific point of view, there's got to be something out there. 

"But we're not funding it. We're not putting enough money into looking for a better option to replace the nets."

Vaucluse shark attack victim in intensive care

It is the second attack in less than 24 hours after a 12-year-old boy was critically injured at Shark Beach at Vaucluse on Sunday.

He remains in intensive care at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick.

Marine Area Command commander Superintendent Joseph McNulty said earlier on Monday heavy rainfall may have contributed to the attack at Vaucluse.

"At the time yesterday, the boys were jumping off a 6-metre rock that's popular in the Vaucluse area into that brackish water," he said.

"We believe the combination of the brackish water, the fresh water, the actions of the splashing, may have made that perfect storm environment for that shark attack yesterday."

The incident has prompted the cancellation of next week's Sydney Harbour Splash swim at Rose Bay.

Organisers of the event, now in its 10th year, said the "hard decision" was made in consultation with NSW Police and water experts.

"This cancellation is made out of deep respect for the young boy who was tragically attacked yesterday, and for his family and friends," they said in a Facebook post. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."