An extended close encounter with a humpback whale off B.C.'s north coast was caught on camera, and some of the incredible footage is now being shared online.
- On mobile? Click here for a six-minute YouTube video of the humpback whale encounter
B.C.'s Deb Emery and husband Doug, who run Thunder 1 Adventures, were out on a fishing charter trip near Prince Rupert when they came across the lone whale.
As the boat sits, engine off, the gentle giant rolls around in the water and glides up to it — at times coming within inches of the boat, but never touching it.
"He's like, just swimming and checking us out," one of the watchers whispers.
Several times, the whale comes right up to the surface at the boat's side and loudly exchanges air through its blowhole. No one touches the animal, but it was so close it would have been possible.
"You could touch him, he's so close," Emery is heard saying.
The friendly in-your-face visit lasted for more than an hour, and thrilled everyone on the boat.
Emery says she's seen many whales between Prince Rupert and Vancouver Island, but she's never had an encounter quite like this one.