VIEWS FROM THE 6 DRAKE GENIUS FULL

The bull swam directly under him and missed by inches. The whale seemed to realize he was about to collide with a helpless person and he slowed abruptly, twisting and almost scraping the coral with his belly. He was floating at the surface, about 15 feet off the coral and there was nothing to do but tuck in his arms and legs. The swimmer filming this incredible event looked to his left to see a 55 foot humpback bearing down on him in water that was barely deep enough for the whale to squeeze through. But it is impossible to control the behavior of the whales and it is possible that they will not respect the same distance. Ethical guides such as the one on this tour will strictly enforce these rules and make sure that guests understand. The laws here, as well as common sense, require that people avoid getting closer that 5m or 15 feet to the whales. They saw her coming in time to swim backwards and out of the way. The female led the pack and nearly struck two of the swimmers. But the whales came crashing through like a herd of wild elephants. It is the last place you would expect to see a humpback whale, or a pod of fast moving whales. Now, during a break for lunch, they are looking at coral and fish along the reef. They have been watching the whales from the boat and looking for a chance to actually swim with a whale.

These swimmers are enjoying a snorkel in the shallow waters near an island close to VavaГЁu in the Tongan waters. These behaviors are thrilling and fascinating to watch from a boat. They have little restraint and a lot of drive as they struggle ferociously to impress the female. They are 60 ton animals and their hormones are raging. Occasionally, they inflict serious injury on each other in the process.

VIEWS FROM THE 6 DRAKE GENIUS FULL

These pursuits often involve six or seven males swimming at full speed, acting very aggressively as they thrash and bump each other. When a female humpback is ready to mate, males will follow and even chase her, competing with each other for the rights. It is also motivated by a desire for an opportunity to reproduce. Their protectiveness is only partially out of desire to keep her and the calf safe. But they are also waiting and hoping for a chance to mate with the females. Bulls, or male humpbacks, also come to Tonga and they will follow females and calves for weeks, providing an escort and added safety for the pair.

They will need their size and strength for the long journey to northern waters where they feed. The conditions are ideal and the mothers feed their calves massive amounts of milk so they will grow rapidly. They come to Tonga in July through October to mate and to have their babies in a safe environment where there are no predators. Humpback whales are one of the most massive and beautiful creatures on earth.

Views from the 6 drake genius