Swimming With Gentle Giants

Recently Craig Parry jumped into the ocean with some of the world’s largest mammals, Humpback Whales, as they migrated through the waters of the Kingdom of Tonga, in the South Pacific Ocean. He wanted to take a series of unique portraits and images that he could share with the world to do his little bit to help raise awareness and create an environment where these gentle giants are respected and protected.

Selfie
In one life changing photo session, he spent over three hours free diving with two bulls (males) and one cow (female). Their inquisitive nature led to a depth of interaction beyond anything he has ever experienced, as each took their turn to welcome him into their world and put on a show for the camera.

Fin Swipe

Tail

Whale Stars

Contact

This particular image was taken approximately 5 meters from the subjects. As this was taken, I was swimming back to the boat and felt something following me – I turned around and my new friends were close behind keen to keep on playing.

This extreme close up was taken approximately 6 foot away from her tail. The movement generated from the flick of the tail forced me back, but only after I managed to capture this.

A super close up of a Humpbacks fin

Grace

Cub