Nature never fails to astonish us. Sometimes, we witness moments so extraordinary that they feel almost unreal. Imagine being on a sightseeing tour off the coast and suddenly seeing a massive humpback whale breach the water right next to your boat. It would feel like winning the lottery—simply incredible!
This was exactly the experience of photographer Douglas Craft, who captured breathtaking images while on a whale-watching boat in Monterey Bay, California.
The enormous humpback whale was seen leaping out of the water, towering over a nearby fishing boat. It breached just behind the fisherman, creating a jaw-dropping scene.
Douglas managed to snap stunning photos of the majestic creature from the porthole of his boat. Though momentarily stunned by the sight, he quickly grabbed his camera and began shooting. His unique angle provided a spectacular perspective, making the whale appear even larger in contrast to the tiny fishing boat.
“I went below deck to shoot from a porthole close to the waterline. That’s what gives this amazing perspective of looking up at the whale,” Douglas told a news agency.
When he shared the photos online, they quickly went viral. People were in awe of the once-in-a-lifetime moment he had captured—it truly felt like a miracle!
Douglas also had help from Kate Cummings, a whale watcher who managed to record a video of the breathtaking breach. “It was exciting to capture this on video. The whale had already breached multiple times much farther from the fisherman. But sometimes, when whales breach repeatedly, they are moving in a specific direction underwater, building momentum for the next leap,” Kate explained.
For those who may not know, adult humpback whales typically weigh between 25 and 30 metric tons (28–33 short tons) and measure between 12 and 16 meters (39–52 feet) in length. These magnificent marine mammals are a favorite among whale watchers due to their dramatic breaches and distinctive behaviors.
