A 29 year-old Kangaroo Island man is being airlifted to Adelaide following a shark attack off D'Estrees Bay beach.

About 2.20pm Sunday 6 December emergency services were called to D’Estrees Bay after reports a surfer had been bitten by a great white.

The man managed to paddle back to shore and sought help from a member of the public who drove him toward Kingscote.

Paramedics met the car en route and transported the man the rest of the way to the hospital.

He was then air lifted to Adelaide for treatment.

The 29-year-old local man's injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Police in conjunction with Fisheries and the local council are in the process of erecting signs to close D'Estrees Bay beach.

The public should avoid the area.