Whale dead off SA coast

A whale has been found dead off the coast of a popular surf beach in South Australia.

The 5 metre whale was discovered in the shallows of the Lone Pine beach, near Port Lincoln, on the Eyre Peninsula, on Thursday, SA's environment department says.

Eyre Peninsula senior ranger Peter Wilkins has asked people to keep out of the water.

"Large sharks, including great whites, may be attracted to a carcass of this size," he said.

"If it is washed back out to sea, it could also become a hazard to shipping."

Its species has not been identified.