🐋 Once-in-a-Lifetime Close Encounter With a Curious Humpback Whale | Above & Underwater Footage

This was one of the most incredible whale encounters we’ve ever experienced. While floating in our dinghy near Minerva Reef, a curious juvenile humpback whale swam right up to us — completely unannounced — giving us the closest pass we’ve ever had from a wild whale. I had my Sony camera ready for breaching shots (without the underwater housing!), so I captured the moment from above while Rich grabbed the GoPro for underwater footage. I combined both angles to create this unforgettable clip — the whale gliding past the dinghy, the powerful tail swish, and the crystal-clear underwater view. What makes this encounter even more amazing is that this is the same young whale we swam with later that day. He followed our boat, hung out at the stern, and waited while we geared up to get in the water one at a time. Two other whales stayed deeper in the background, but this little explorer wanted to interact. Fun fact: Juvenile humpback whales are known for being curious and playful. They often approach boats to investigate and can rotate their massive pectoral fins like wings to maneuver gently around humans. This day was easily the best part of our whole season — a rare, magical connection with a wild animal. If you love whales, marine life, diving, or raw ocean encounters, this video is for you. 💙🐋 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more incredible wildlife moments from the reef! #WhaleCameRIGHTToUs #ClosestWhaleEncounterEver #UnexpectedWhaleVisit #WildWhaleTHISClose #InsaneWhaleInteraction #CuriousHumpbackAtTheDinghy #HeSwamStraightTowardUs #CaughtAboveAndBelow #WhaleFollowedOurBoat #PlayfulWhaleSurprise