Expedition Drenchedvideo
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT🐋😳...Crazy humpback whale encounters in Tonga! (Expedition Drenched S1 Ep.11)
23 September 2019 · 20 min · 47K views · Vanuatu
What this video covers
The crew of the sailboat Sylphia travels to the kingdom of Tonga to swim with humpback whales in their protected breeding waters.0:15 After sailing from New Zealand to Niue and then to the island of Waiiki, the crew charters a traditional Polynesian-style outrigger, Tafua'a Moana, to locate pods southeast of the island.7:46 The group observes breaching, pectoral fin slapping, and spy-hopping behaviors before entering the water to swim with a mother, calf, and escort whale.8:23 The encounter involves close proximity to the escort, requiring the swimmers to remain still and maintain a non-threatening presence.14:31 Following the whale excursion, the crew prepares for the departure of two team members, Lindsey and Amir, who are leaving the vessel to pursue personal commitments.16:16 The crew marks the transition by signing the flags flown during their 1,500-mile passage from New Zealand.17:56 Successful whale interactions depend on a quiet, non-intrusive approach, particularly when mothers and calves are present.
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