The 34-year-old fronted a packed press conference in Sydney on Tuesday, admitting he was a 'mental mess' but vowing to surf on.
"I am sure I will surf again, surfing has given me so much," he said.
"It’s got through me though some hard times in life. To turn my back on surfing wouldn't seem right."
They're alive! @Mick_Fanning and @julian_wilson address the media #JBayOpen #MickFanning pic.twitter.com/o9IkNqtxiY
— Sportal (@SportalAU) July 21, 2015Fanning recalled the moment he thought he would die.
"My board started getting dragged under the water by the leg rope," he said
"I can't remember if I punched the shark hard or if it was just baby punches…I just went into fight or flight.
"Once my board was gone, I was just waiting for it to come and take a leg or two.
"To walk away from a shark attack with not a scratch on you, it's a miracle really."
"Mentally I'm a bloody mess. I felt like I was at my own wake."
Fellow Australian Julian Wilson, who was in the water at the time, expected the worst as he paddled to his mate's aid.
He said: "At first I just froze and saw Mick getting manhandled by the shark
"I just went straight into panic mode. He's just a sitting duck."