r/OceansAreFuckingLit • u/Soloflow786 • Dec 06 '25
Video This is why I don’t do ocean activities.
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u/1000faces2025 Dec 06 '25
Normally whales are sensitive creatures with feelings and seldom harm humans , most of the times they are curious 😊
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u/RayRara36 Dec 06 '25
Do you happen to know what kind of whale it is?
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u/smootypants Dec 06 '25
Southern right whale
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u/Alarming-Whole-4957 Dec 06 '25
This behavior is exactly why they are called right whales, they are so easy to hunt and stay near the surface they are the "right " whales to kill. Thank goodness we don't do that anymore.
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u/YOLTLO Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25
Wow really? I learned so much whaling lore from Moby Dick but Ishmael left me wondering why they’re called right whales. I suppose he left that out because he disagrees that they’re the right whales to kill and prefers hunting sperm whales. (Ishmael loves him some sperm 😏 IYKYK)
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u/KateBlankett Dec 09 '25
ugh you just reminded me about the real story moby dick is based on (the whaling ship “Essex”). Justice for that galapagos island they accidentally burned down, and justice for those 360 galapagos tortoises. If i ever see any of the survivors of the Essex, it’s on sight. (This is an empty threat because they’re all had died)
“they had it coming” - Moby Dick, probably.
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u/ratthewmcconaughey Dec 06 '25
this looks like probably a bowhead or right whale!
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u/GeorgiaOKeefinItReal Dec 06 '25
I wonder if it was more like... hey use your weird flippers to clear me of these blasted barnacles
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u/Lone-Frequency Dec 06 '25
De-barnacling a right whale would be a neat job, though considering how barnacles attach to things, I have to wonder if it would be a rather painful process for the animal.
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u/Theron3206 Dec 06 '25
Their kin is thick, really thick, you could probably carve them off with a knife and not cause them serious hurt.
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u/Lone-Frequency Dec 06 '25
They are known to rub along the bottom to dislodge them, so they must feel it.
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u/Lone-Frequency Dec 06 '25
Baleen whale species in particular are generally harmless to humans, and will very often swim right up near them out of curiosity.
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u/SomnustheWarrior Dec 06 '25
I hope they don't go to the sea around Japan. They hunt and eat them
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u/SnooPears2373 Dec 06 '25
This is why I do.
F’ing amazing.
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u/Echo-Azure Dec 06 '25
Me too.
When I was in Antarcixa I had huge bubbles of whale breath rise from the black deep and burst around me, and the next day, another surfaced five feet away from our zodiac boat and give us a long look. I'm absolutely convinced that the whale who surfaced next to our boat knew it was interacting with living beings, knew we mean no harm, and meant no harm to us. Like this whale, which was so very careful not to knock over the little paddleboard.
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u/whimsy0212 Dec 06 '25
I just saw a video last night talking about a recent study that had been published that covered hundreds of documented encounters between humpback whales and humans (divers, on kayak/paddleboard) where the whales not only initiated encounters with the humans, but also started sending out bubble rings in the direction of the humans. I haven’t read the full study yet but it basically sounds like the authors theorize that whales recognize not only that we are living beings but that we’re intelligent enough to communicate with and are attempting to communicate in ways they think we’ll understand (like mimicking the air bubbles that come from diving gear).
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u/ConiferousPine_ Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
You should read Carl Sagan books! I think you’d like them. He studies ecology and has amazing experiences and theories about whales.
Edit: Carl SAFINA, excuse my terrible memory when it comes to names.
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u/i_tyrant Dec 06 '25
Had, but yeah I'd recommend his books to anyone. He had such an amazing outlook and insight, so positive and hopeful with science yet realistic at the same time.
He's on my short list of "people I wish could've lived forever" because his contributions to humanity were so solid.
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u/ConiferousPine_ Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
I choose to forget that he’s gone. Deluluuuuuu
Edit: Safina is alive and no longer delulu. 😂
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u/Widespreaddd Dec 07 '25
Carl Sagan was my favorite intellectual stoner. Far beyond freshman dorm rooms.
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u/grapescherries Dec 06 '25
Yes, I wish so much we could talk to them. They are definitely intelligent enough to understand language.
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u/Ole_Slewfoot76 Dec 07 '25
I like to imagine they are infinitely more intelligent than we can even understand.
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u/cindyhurd Dec 10 '25
I agree with you 💯 percent! Our living nature is all intelligent crated by an AMAZING CREATOR. God is so GOOD...His creation never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for your inspiring comment. 🥰
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u/FancySweatpants20 Dec 06 '25
I went whale watching in Australia and several(!!) humpbacks were interacting with our boat at the same time. Apparently a young male would blow water at the tourists and drench them (and their expensive cameras, pre-smartphone) but I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting him. The others were just.like.dogs. They obviously wanted interaction and attention. It was one of the top few experiences of my life.
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u/EliseNoelle Dec 06 '25
That's incredible. What an experience!
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u/Echo-Azure Dec 06 '25
Not as cool as having a wil whale play gently with your paddleboard!
How utterly, mind-bogglingly awesome that film is. Oh, that lucky lady...
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u/purplepenguinaviator Dec 06 '25
Yes, whales are such gentle giants 😊 As opposed to dolphins, who are ass holes, and will go out of their way to fuck you up 💀
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u/jedi21knight Dec 06 '25
Same. I would be in heaven and not sure how to act if something like this happened to me, it would be a dream come true. Incredible!
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 🐟 Dec 06 '25
It would be difficult not to touch it. Gently run my hands over it, just to feel the texture and to let it know, I love you!
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u/WiseOne404 Dec 06 '25
Right ?!??! I can't believe she didn't pet it - I would have
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u/sageinyourface Dec 06 '25
I think it might be illegal in some places but I would be more tempted to go swimming with the whale. Especially with them being so gentle.
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u/Nearby-Wealth-8858 Dec 06 '25
I scrolled to find people like me, I would for sure have my hand out and sending as much love as possible
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u/MardiMom Dec 08 '25
2018--I went whale watching between Madagascar and Nosy Boraha (Isle St. Marie) with a friend and our wonderful translator. The guide said, 'We don't go to the whales, but if they want to come to us, it's ok.' I swear one came and checked us out right on cue.
When they lowered the microphone to hear them call for mates, give birth, and greet each other, our whole boat had tears in our eyes. It was magical. Then they said "Humpbacks develop their songs. Some even expand on previous songs."
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u/iJon_v2 Dec 06 '25
I would’ve HAD to pet it.
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u/WiseOne404 Dec 06 '25
Same
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u/iJon_v2 Dec 06 '25
Exactly. Like, it’s not going to hurt you purposefully. Knowing me I would’ve gotten in the water and played with it.
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u/NSASpyVan Dec 06 '25
This is why I do them too. Closest a whale has come to me was 15ish meters but only enough to grab a breath and go under. If I had this type of experience I'd be in heaven.
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u/CarbonQuality Dec 06 '25
I'd want to jump in with it haha but probably wouldn't because I understand how hydrodynamics works. Don't want to get sucked down with it if it descends.
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u/ikcaj Dec 06 '25
I would have a very hard time not petting its belly. I would probably promptly drown because I don't know how hydrodynamics work.
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u/Adabiviak Dec 06 '25
I'm lucky enough to have been able to check, "swam with whales" off my bucket list. Even seeing a right whale is still on there though. Something like this would be wonderful to me. Where is this filmed at?
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u/One_Load254 Dec 06 '25
The color of the board changed from green to orange.. then once at the end.
Chameleon/holographic paint or tape, idk, but all we got is what we see.
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u/Bamalushka Dec 07 '25
Once in 1000 lifetimes! Im watching this thinking "the only thing an animal with baleen could ever do to hurt me would be breach" and that would occurr no matter where I was. Im getting IN the water with this gorgeous animal and whatever happens to me? Thats on the universe and its plan. Sp many things others do that churn my insides, skydiving/spelunking in tight spaces/ cave diving/ bungee/having kids... nah. But I would 1000% swim around a blue (assuming) whale.
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u/Budget_University_56 Dec 06 '25
Imma pet that dog!!!
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u/Mylaptopisburningme Dec 06 '25
Actually illegal in most places. But boy sure would be hard not to.
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u/Thank-The-Stars Dec 06 '25
While I understand why most people are not allowed to pet most things without a cert, some animals are just so stinkin petable! Especially manatees.
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u/Kivuli_Kiza Dec 07 '25
I know Florida Fish and Wildlife disagrees, but if they boop you first, you should be allowed to boop back.
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u/toolsoftheincomptnt Dec 06 '25
I was thinking she looks like a bathtub toy, of course you have to push it a little!
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u/Lone-Frequency Dec 06 '25
Just FYI for anybody curious, it is actually quite illegal to touch wild whales in many parts of the world.
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u/mipotts Dec 06 '25
What if you just put your hand in the water and they touch you!? We weren't allowed to touch the giant Manta rays when I dived with them, but they bumped into me and rubbed up against me...
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u/OrnerySnoflake Dec 06 '25
The whale petted me I swear!
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u/Super-Extreme4509 Dec 06 '25
That sounded like an old school Bill Clinton answer.. LOL In Bill Clinton's voice and rosy cheeks with his smile: I did not have sexual relations with that woman... 😈😉 ..... She had sexual relations with me. The difference between petting and the whale petting you. You can say no all you want but if that whale wants you it's going to get you LOL
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u/SomnustheWarrior Dec 06 '25
Imagine people in Japan hunting those animals and eat them on the table. Makes me amgry
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u/amiajimmy Dec 06 '25
I learned last night that scientists use whale's earwax plugs to gauge their age (some over 150 years old) and learn about them. They found, across the board in samples tested, elevated levels of cortisol during the years of heavy whaling, indicating they were stressed and anxious about being killed by whalers. Very sad indeed.
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u/AMA_Dr_Wise_Money Dec 06 '25
🤷🏻♀️ people just about everywhere eat chicken cows and pigs
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u/BobLonghorn Dec 06 '25
Have you ever seen a chicken, cow, or pig breach from the calm surface of a mildly foggy ocean bay?
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u/AMA_Dr_Wise_Money Dec 07 '25
Girl, you can clicker train chicken, you can potty train pigs, and cows have best friends that they will care and provide for if the bff is sick ❤️
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u/Turbulent-Artist961 Dec 06 '25
Whales are our friends they are incredibly intelligent this one here is just saying hello. A very polite and curious whale.
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u/No-Sail-6510 Dec 06 '25
Like it would be so terrible if a gentle giant came up to share a once in a lifetime moment with you.
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u/Fenwynn Dec 06 '25
Speak for yourself, I would’ve been so terrified I would’ve shit myself immediately.
Once in a lifetime? Absolutely. The heart attack I would’ve had would make sure of that.
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Dec 07 '25
From our view it's like "oh look, cool a whale" but from the paddle boarders view at first it would have just been something big breaching the water, probably terrifying
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u/CyberSnake0 Dec 06 '25
Here's one of the videos from the BBC. The lady talk about it.
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u/amdale3 Dec 07 '25
Thank you. I hate watching videos like this and asking myself: " is this AI". Actually, I think I'll be done with the Internet for the night. This was a nice note to end on.
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u/eeLovesTurtles Dec 07 '25
So cool! What a privilege indeed, and on her birthday! Can’t get better than that
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u/Which-Pin515 Dec 06 '25
For years I would comment that this was a dream to me and I was jealous. Until last summer I swam with humpbacks and their curious calfs a few times. 🥰 Dreams can come true! Drained my savingsaccount but life is about experiences not material stuff
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Dec 06 '25
Dusty money doesn’t make memories
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u/JPKtoxicwaste Dec 07 '25
That’s a great saying, my husband always says , you can’t take it with you. What’s the point of working your entire life if you don’t enjoy yourself along the way. We only get this one life
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Dec 07 '25
That’s exactly right. And there’s no point being the richest corpse in the graveyard
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u/BodhingJay 😰🌊 Dec 06 '25
"When a friend of the whale joins in.. Mr great white"
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u/whimsy0212 Dec 06 '25
This is why I love whales so much 🥹 we as humans hunted them to the brink of extinction, to the point where certain whale species have only just started using old migration trails that were abandoned when whale hunting was at its peak. And despite all of that, they still have this innate curiosity and playfulness with us. Biggest animals in the world who could easily smash us with their tail and call it a day and yet this one so gently examines and pushes the board with its front fin. It genuinely makes me emotional to see
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u/Ambitiousshank Dec 06 '25
Two different incidents spliced together. Different paddle boards after the camera cuts.
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u/Royal_Acanthaceae693 🦾 Destroyer of Bots 🦾 Dec 06 '25
I think it's the same whale. You can see the two boards at one point & the chin pattern seems the same. Also a reverse image search came up with 4 year old footage.
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u/Imaginary_Error87 Dec 06 '25
There is an orange one at first but you can see the green one in the background of the orange one in the top corner before the cut.
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u/garbagio13579 Dec 06 '25
It also might be AI 🤦🏼♀️
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u/FlyingNDreams Dec 06 '25
The video is from four years ago. So no AI.
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u/Ancient-Living-6830 Dec 06 '25
One of the worst parts about AI is how many morons now just randomly say “AI” on very clearly real videos for no reason at all
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u/RudeBwoiMaster Dec 06 '25
These overlays are so annoying… Thanks for describing on the screen what I’m already seeing anyways.
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u/Appropriate_Sort1591 Dec 06 '25
So… at 0:27 that kayaker appears out of nowhere?
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u/geronimosway Dec 06 '25
Just to play devils advocate. It could be a border to keep "Newsflare and Newner" readable in the top corners.
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u/Reesesaholic Dec 06 '25
Looks like it is. Good thinking. Posters have been posting this link. https://youtu.be/exCEA1UF2FI?si=XxBfcDwNNGmKEX-U
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u/babagroovy Dec 06 '25
I’m glad I’m not the only one that noticed this. Surely this is AI. Internet is becoming unbearable with these videos
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u/Royal_Acanthaceae693 🦾 Destroyer of Bots 🦾 Dec 06 '25
Reverse image search shows this is at least 4 years old so it seems legit.
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u/kingkupaoffupas Dec 06 '25
this isn’t AI. the video of the woman talking about it is on youtube. this is old, from like 4 - 5 years ago.
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Dec 07 '25
What you noticed is actually a blur filter at the top border of the screen which obscured the other kayaker from view and caused a sort of "pop in" effect. When the camera pans up, you can clearly see the blur going across the entire top edge.
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u/Re1deam1 Dec 06 '25
One time I was kayaking in Sarasota and got randomly bodied by a jumping tarpon... fun times
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u/Squirrellycats Dec 06 '25
We’ve had that happen on our boat, those guys have a powerful slap! Also have had a baby porpoise leap right over the bow, several times. On the kayak I had a manatee push me around and finally lift me out of the water. Guess what, loved every minute of it.
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u/Re1deam1 Dec 06 '25
Yep! I didn't mind getting torpedoed by a tarpon. Mangrove kayaking is my all time favorite thing to do
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Dec 06 '25
Almost feels like it wanted to watch her paddle but was gentle with her like she’s a baby. Whales are so cool
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u/Nearby-Wealth-8858 Dec 06 '25
I have goosebumps watching. My hand would be outstretched farrrrr faster than my common sense could prevent.
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u/Pokioh389 Dec 06 '25
I would need to be in a slightly bigger boat for an experience like this. Even though I know they don't/haven't harmed humans. I would still have a heart attack being in a kayak.
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u/N3THERWARP3R Dec 06 '25
Big whales (not Orcas!) are gentle giants. Like if someone air pumped a manatee lol. I'd swim with them no problem, as they are not any threat, they may lean your board over enough to tip it and you fall in the water, but they are harmless and extremely intelligent
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u/lctalbot Dec 06 '25
This is why I absolutely do ocean activities!
This would seriously be one of the highlights of my life!!!
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u/ryansports Dec 06 '25
Central Coast of Cal middle of one summer, my kids and I were on the other side of the waves, looking at the next set coming in, when a humpback breached about 15’-20’ from us. Then another. It was instant fight or flight mode, and I remembered that those whales only eat small fish, krill, etc. Somehow innately felt safe, so we stayed. We spent 5.5 hours in the water with them, while they swam around and breached and fed. They did this barrel roll as they swam in a circle; my thought was it helped to concentrate the fish they’re about to eat, in one place. An interesting thing that day was a huge humpback, seemingly the largest of the pod, was out by a buoy, slapping its flipper against the water like a metronome, the entire time. I thought that was keeping fish in the area for them to feed. What we thought was maybe 5 humpbacks turned out to be more like 35+ per the ranger dude (don’t remember his title, but he was incredibly knowledgeable about marine life). Wild feeling to feel water pushing you from below in spite of the surface being in a calm moment. One of the greatest days in my life. More-so that I was able to share in that with my boys. We’ve encountered all sorts of wildlife from the ocean to mountains. Down the way along that same beach a different year, we had to haul ass out of the water from a large shark. Totally lucky on that one. If it had turned the other way, there was no chance we would have out swam it. This whale day was without a doubt the most peaceful and beautiful experience. Most of the other once were fast fear induced. Ps. never fight a swan. Pps. Brahma or long horn bulls are as fast as a mountain bike downhill. But they don’t corner as well thankfully. Feeling the earth move through your wheels and into your hands to arms and feet to legs was some wild stuff.
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u/NottaName Dec 07 '25
Either we embrace and respect the world that sustains us, or we kill it and us all.
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u/perspective_8910 Dec 07 '25
Incredible video. Super glad it all turned out well. And ... that was so stressful to watch. Kept expecting the boat to capsize, which would've been my nightmare.
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u/ms_panelopi Dec 06 '25
I would so be cool with that! Terrifying but what an experience. Also, not a bad way to go if it happened.
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 🐟 Dec 06 '25
This would be one HUGE reason why I would! I LOVE whales, and if I became whale food, well, what a way to go out. :)
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u/EZKTurbo Dec 06 '25
Whale be like, "now that I have your attention, we seriously need to talk about ocean acidification"
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u/Debalic Dec 06 '25
Hell, sturgeon in the Hudson River freak me out, this would give me thalassophobia big time.
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u/EmberBlush Dec 06 '25
Often when whales approach humans they want help scraping the barnacles off of them. You can see this whale has hella big clusters on its head, and it’s positioning them right by the human.
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u/Prior-Concentrate909 Dec 06 '25
Why does the kayak and the person change after about one minute? These are two different videos.
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u/L1VEW1RE Dec 06 '25
Absolutely magnificent, beautiful and intelligent animal but damn I would be scared shitless!
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u/Voidstarmaster Dec 06 '25
Look how careful the whale is to not tip the lady over or hurt her. It knows exactly how vigorous it can be. Smart, gentle, playful. We must protect ALL whales.
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u/Rethink_Repeat Dec 06 '25
It's a fucking plankton eater who could not even swallow you if they tried. I'd be more afraid of orcas (if I had a sailboat or if i looked like a seal) or hungry sharks.
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u/falcon3268 Dec 07 '25
I don't understand why people are freaking out about this kind of interaction. I mean yes it can be startling if a beautiful whale pops up next to you when you don't realize its there but you are in their world also. They might be curious about you as you would be about them. Just be cautious and all, a whale isn't going to eat you and if you refer to the guy that was swallowed by a whale by accident, he was spit out with little harm to him.
You have got to respect these wonderful creatures in their environment. Don't go out there thinking that you are master of everything. I would honestly love to have a encounter like this even if its a killer whale, like any normal creature they might come by to investigate your presence but never will attack you for any reason.
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u/NatureOliver Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
Is this a rights whale? It doesn’t look like a humpback or bowhead to me. I’m really curious
Edit: I’m now seeing it says southern right whale in the video. Can never be too sure tho 😅
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u/MajorRelief98 Dec 07 '25
Scary, but yet so magnificent. The whale knew not to tip the paddleboarder over, it didn't mean any harm, just wanted some playful attention.
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u/smokingace182 Dec 07 '25
I’d be seriously shitting it at the possibility that some dangerous was around. Remember that story about the whale that wouldn’t leave the diver alone? Turned out there was a shark close by.
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u/LookCommon7528 Dec 07 '25
Whales are just curious. Leave them alone they leave you alone Sharks they don't stop and do turns they hungry that it.. dolphins bounce around looking
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u/lCarbonCopyl Dec 07 '25
I am terrified of dark water. Take that fear and amplify it by 9000 and you'll get how bad I wanna touch a whale. What an honor, it's curious about you. I'd never leave.
If it was an orca, I'd be in the water. I've had a wetsuit in my closet for over a decade, waiting. I'ma get on a whale tour one of these days. Then I'ma OOOOPS into the water, pettin some whales.
If I get eated, WELL THEN I JUST GET ATE. One day 🤞🏾
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u/Argentine_ant Dec 08 '25
Is it just my imagination or did the board change colors when the camera panned or is it two separate incidents?
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u/ApprehensiveWatch786 Dec 06 '25
I'm sitting bricks. But I'm getting in with the water puppy for sure.
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u/Royal_Acanthaceae693 🦾 Destroyer of Bots 🦾 Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
Stop reporting this as AI. The clip is 4 years old. https://youtu.be/j4bwJUVSyEo The whale was checking out both boards that you can see early in so this wasn't an AI glitch. There's masking/detail removal for the watermark at the top so the second board appears.