Where did the humpback whale encounter with kayakers take place?

The encounter took place off the coast of English Harbour in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Why were there whales near the kayakers?

The waters were active with bait fish, specifically herring, which attracted multiple humpback whales that were feeding.

Were the kayakers harmed during the whale encounter?

No, the couple remained upright and were unharmed despite the shocking and sudden surfacing of the whale.

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Kayakers' Shock as Humpback Whale Surfaces Feet Away

30 Jan

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Summary

A couple kayaking experienced a close encounter with a humpback whale.
The whale surfaced unexpectedly just feet from their kayaks.
The incident occurred off the coast of English Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kayakers' Shock as Humpback Whale Surfaces Feet Away

A routine sea kayaking excursion near English Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, transformed into a heart-stopping encounter when a humpback whale unexpectedly surfaced. The dramatic moment, captured on video, shows the whale rising from the water mere feet away from a couple paddling in their kayaks. The man filming expressed his shock with repeated exclamations as the whale's presence churned the waters around them.

The couple had been navigating waters teeming with bait fish, which had drawn several humpback whales feeding on herring. Initially intending to enjoy the scenery, they grew uncomfortable with the intensity of the feeding activity and decided to return to shore.

It was during this time that the surprising encounter occurred. The video depicts the kayaks drifting calmly before the ocean erupted beneath them. The woman urgently alerted her husband to the whale's proximity directly below. Despite the intense shock, the couple maintained their balance as the whale submerged once more. Shaken but unharmed, they promptly paddled away, deeply aware of their small scale compared to the magnificent ocean giant.