Whales “Protect” Diver from Bloodthirsty Shark (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 11:14 AM ET

Sperm whales have the biggest brain of any (known) animal on earth. They can weigh up to 20 pounds. By comparison, a human brain weighs, on average, about three pounds. And while brain size doesn’t necessarily correlate to intellect, those whales, man, they seem to know things.

For instance, there’s been many cases of whales helping people or other animals when they get in trouble in the ocean. Case in point, Benoît Girodeau – better known for his reggae dancehall moniker Natty Gong – was recently diving off the coast of Mauritius when two aggressive white tip sharks started coming his way. But then, a pair of sperm whales stepped in and, as he calls it, “protected me and attacked the very curious” shark. Check out the full clip below.

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A post shared by NATTY GONG a.k.a Ben'Giro (@nattygongofficial)

Girodeau explained in the video:

“How two sperm whales protected me from an oceanic white tip. The shark tried an aggressive approach towards me, but was immediately blocked by the whale. With his mouth wide open, he chased the shark, before checking me out and back[ing] off.

“This young female then relayed him to keep the shark away. They started swimming faster. The sperm whale wouldn’t let go and kept chasing the shark. She started diving upside down to position herself to make sure she keeps the shark at the surface. She swam faster beneath the shark…to bite its tail to my great surprise.

“The shark tried to come back at me, but I was well guarded. And the other whale came back to both surround me.”

Pretty fascinating, yet terrifying, encounter.

And oceanic white tip sharks are not be toyed with. According to the International Shark Attack File:

“Oceanic white tip sharks are one of the more dangerous sharks to humans. They are known to have attacked survivors of ship and plane wrecks at sea, and are suspected to be responsible for several unrecorded human fatalities.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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