Diving with Pilot Whales.

[Isurus oxyrinchus]

Has anyone here seen pilot whales during a dive? Do you have any photos or videos? I know there are the common sense points, for instance keeping a respectable distance, but is there anything else to know from a safety standpoint about this type of whale?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I will try to get some info from a diver in Australia that ran into these while on a liveaboard. I'll be back.

 

[Wingy]

Yes. At Richeleiu rock in Thailand had a pod of 9 show up - awesome they were absolutely non threatening and came in for a look approx 5m away then backed off. Hung around for about 25 minutes.

 

[Steve_C]

I have seen them offshore while fishing but have not heard from local divers of any sightings.

 

[redacted]

Almost 40 years ago I was body surfing on the NJ shore when I spotted what I thought was a pod of dolphin coming up the coast 100+ meters out. I swam out and was in the middle of them when I realized these things were way bigger than dolphin. They just swam on by and payed no attention to me, much to my relief.