A diver off the coast of Mauritius experienced a rare and dramatic moment when two massive sperm whales appeared to protect him from an approaching oceanic whitetip shark.
Benoît Girodeau, a reggae-dancehall artist known as Natty Gong, was diving in open waters when the shark swam toward him in what he described as an “aggressive approach.” The oceanic whitetip, a species known for its bold nature, got uncomfortably close before the whales intervened.
Underwater footage shows two massive sperm whales moving quickly between him and the shark. Their actions blocked the shark, keeping it from getting any closer.
Whales step in to defend the diver
The whales quickly moved around Girodeau and began chasing the shark, seemingly trying to push it away. One whale made aggressive movements before biting the shark’s tail. This forced the shark to retreat into the deep ocean.
As one whale pursued the shark, the other stayed closer to the diver, positioning itself between him and the predator.
Marine researchers say oceanic whitetip sharks are among the more dangerous species to humans. These sharks have a history of attacking shipwreck survivors and are believed to be responsible for many unrecorded shark-related deaths.
Amazing moment diver is protected from a shark by two sperm whales ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aQFfYH9s1E
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 13, 2025
Girodeau shared the astonishing footage on his Instagram, describing how the shark moved aggressively toward him before a whale immediately blocked its path.
‘With his mouth wide open, he chased the shark,’ the artist recalled. ‘Before checking me out and back off.’
He identified the second whale as a young female, saying she seemed to signal the other to keep the shark away. The two whales then picked up speed, swimming faster as they followed the shark. ‘The sperm whale wouldn’t let go and kept chasing the shark,’ Girodeau said.
Whale’s surprising move forces shark to retreat
The female whale flipped upside down, positioning herself between him and the shark. She ensured the predator stayed near the water’s surface.
Then, she swam quickly beneath the shark before biting its tail—something Girodeau described as an unexpected move.
‘The shark tried to come back at me, but I was well guarded,’ he said. ‘And the other whale came back to both surround me.’
The oceanic whitetip shark, which can grow up to 13 feet long, is considered dangerous to humans, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
These sharks usually live far from shore but are often among the first to appear near sites of mid-ocean disasters.
Experts warn that people should approach this species with extreme caution. Its unpredictable behavior, large size, and habit of seizing any feeding opportunity make it a serious threat to divers. These sharks are also known for showing little fear and persistently circling swimmers.