A wild surprise in the Celtic Deep
Ever have one of those days that starts off routine and then suddenly hits you with main character energy? That’s basically what happened to Dan Abbot, a wildlife cinematographer and shark guide known as "Sharkman Dan" on social media. While leading a snorkelling trip off the Pembrokeshire coast on September 25, he had an encounter that left even this pro totally shook.
Abbot was about 25-30 miles offshore in the Celtic Sea. The day was already a W; his group had spent four hours hanging with blue sharks, dolphins, and feeding bluefin tuna. He was just packing up when a guest spotted a "blow" in the distance. Initially, Abbot figured it was just a fin or minke whale—the usual suspects for those waters.
Why it was a total plot twist
Abbot kept his eye on the creature as they motored closer. Then, he realized the vibes were off—in a good way. "I noticed that when it came up for a blow, it actually had white pectoral fin, which fin whales don't have," he said. Then, the whale did something distinct: it lifted its tail out of the water, a classic move that fin whales don’t usually pull. Plus, he spotted barnacles on its head. That’s when the realization hit: it was a humpback whale.
"I actually went quiet for a moment," Abbot admitted. "I don't really get that excited, which sounds strange. I'm usually one of the quietest ones on the boat, but I think it was just because it was such a surprise."
Why it matters
While humpbacks are rare in Welsh waters—usually appearing only every few years—experts say they are becoming slightly more frequent. Lloyd Nelmes from Sea Trust noted that the uptick in sightings is likely due to the massive amount of food currently available in the area. It seems like the whales are just following the buffet, and honestly, we love to see it. It’s a powerful reminder that even for people who spend their lives on the water, nature still has the power to keep us humble and curious.
