Surfers attacked by humpback whale in Manly

Terrifying moment surfers are ATTACKED by a giant humpback whale as it tries to protect its calf near a popular Sydney beach – after a diver reached out to touch the animal

  • Adult female humpback whale and her calf spotted off the coast of Manly 
  • Dominique Taylor captured incredible drone footage of pair splashing around 
  • Surfers were surrounding the mammals when a diver tried to touch the baby calf
  • The adult whale then knocked surfers off their boards before swimming away  

A huge whale turned on a group of surfers after a free diver tried to touch her calf near Manly beach in Sydney.

Dominique Taylor, 31, was on her friend’s balcony on Sunday when she spotted what she thought was a rock, but turned out to be a humpback whale and her calf. 

Incredible drone footage shows the mammals playfully swimming next to the surfers who were watching on in delight. 

But the amazing encounter soon turned, as the mother whale became agitated and flicked her tail at the nearby surfers after a free diver reached out to stroke the calf.

The adult humpback whale knocked surfers off their boards after one got too close to her calf (pictured)

The surfers swam away quickly when the adult whale became agitated and tried to protect her young (pictured)

The surfers swam away quickly when the adult whale became agitated and tried to protect her young (pictured)

‘It was really majestic and we felt so lucky to be at the right place, at the right time and with a drone,’ she said.

‘As the drone got closer, our eyes got wider as we noticed a calf too – it was incredible. 

As they continue swimming close to the surfers, the young calf comes into contact with the group – with one free diver even attempting to touch it. 

The adult whale fears for the calf and quickly turns in the water, using her tail to knock the surfers prompting them to hurriedly swam away. 

The mammals then continued to frolic in the water for about 25 minutes before swimming away. 

Ms Taylor said she was confused how the whales got through the shark net and made its way to the surfers.  

‘Some people are angry that the surfers are so close but I think it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and they were excited,’ she said. 

‘The free diver touched the calf which is why the mother splashed them as if to say “get off my baby”.

‘Seeing the whales made us realise how much they appreciate their environment.

‘This planet is for all of us and we must be good and look after it so these beautiful creatures can live on it too.’

The mammals then continued to frolic in the water (pictured) for about 25 minutes before swimming away

The mammals then continued to frolic in the water (pictured) for about 25 minutes before swimming away

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