The family of a teenage girl who died after a shark attack at a popular surfing spot say they hope people will still keep visiting the beach where she lost her life.

Charlize Zmuda, 17, was swimming off Woorim Beach, Bribie Island in southeast Queensland when she was attacked by a shark around 4.45pm on Monday.

The teen suffered life-threatening injuries to her upper body during the attack and died soon after she was pulled from the water, Queensland Ambulance said.

Tributes poured in for the beloved volunteer lifesaver, with her family saying she was a shining light who touched everyone she met.

Charlize’s father Steve Zmuda said his daughter loved the ocean and he hoped people would keep going to that beach, which is north of Brisbane.

“Something that my wife and I want to say is: we don’t want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach,” he told media.

“It’s a big part of our lives, we’ve got our family here, our community and we love everybody here.

“Some please still come to the beach and enjoy the surrounds of every beach up and down the coast.

“She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth.”

Her family said she was a gifted musician, playing the trumpet, guitar, ukulele and piano while also pursuing her passion for the ocean.

Charlize became a nipper at just eight, before becoming the vice-captain of her lifesaving patrol and competing in the Inflatable Rescue Boat world championships last year.

“She loved four-wheel-driving up the beach and anyone who went with her knew they would have to stop and pick up every piece of rubbish she saw along the way,” her family said.

“Please focus on the incredible life she lived and not the awful way she died.”

Surf Life Saving Queensland said it was an unthinkable tragedy to lose one of its own members.

“She and her family have been a cherished part of the surf lifesaving community for a long time and our hearts are broken,” it said in a statement.

It said surf lifesaving was built on family and a community that would come together to grieve and support each other.

Charlize Zmuda was swimming at a beach on Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. Photo: John Wadley

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli added to the tributes.

“To think that a young girl doing what she loves, could have her life taken away, is really, really troubling,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“We are incredibly sorry to that family, and we are incredibly sad for their loss.”

A vigil will be held for Charlize at Woorim Beach from 6pm AEST on Tuesday.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Over the last decade there have been on average 20 shark incidents nationwide every year where people were injured, according to the Australian Shark-Incident Database.

The most recent attack in Queensland killed youth pastor Luke Walford.

The 40-year-old was bitten by a shark while fishing with family members at Humpy Island in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park in December.

-with AAP