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Rare Humpback Whale Stuns Cinematographer Off Wales Coast
4 Oct
Summary
- Humpback whale sighting occurred unexpectedly off the Pembrokeshire coast.
- Wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbot described the encounter as a complete surprise.
- Humpback whale sightings in Welsh waters are rare, occurring every two to three years.
A surprise sighting of a humpback whale in the Celtic Deep, near the Pembrokeshire coast, has delighted wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbot.
Abbot, who guides shark snorkelling trips, was on a scheduled excursion on September 25th when a guest spotted a whale blow in the distance. Initially suspecting a minke or fin whale, Abbot observed distinctive features including white pectoral fins and barnacles, confirming it as a humpback.
This unexpected encounter was particularly special for Abbot, who noted that while he guides trips where large marine mammals are sometimes seen, this specific species' appearance was a complete surprise. He expressed that such unexpected events make them even more special.
Lloyd Nelmes of Sea Trust Wales described the sighting as unusual for someone who works in the field and extremely rare for the general public. While humpback sightings are rare in Welsh waters, occurring approximately once every two to three years, Nelmes mentioned they seem to be becoming more common, possibly due to abundant food sources.
