Yes, this shot is real -- photographer James Morgan submitted it to this year's National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest:
Enal, a young sea nomad, rides on the tail of a tawny nurse shark, in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Marine nomadism has almost completely disappeared in South East Asia as a result of severe marine degradation. I believe children such as Enal have stories that could prove pivotal in contemporary marine conservation.
Just... wow. Our money's on Morgan for the win.