Gentle Minke Whale Surprises Boaters in the North Sea

Whale encounters for most happen from the safety of a large, chartered tourism ship. From breaching to tail and fin slaps, being anywhere in the vicinity of whales is always an awe-inspiring experience. Sometimes, however, those encounters can get a bit too close for comfort. This was seen first-hand by a group out on the North Sea, when a whale swam directly under their small boat. They were understandably startled by how close the whale was comfortable getting, begging the question, what would you do if a whale was THIS close to you?

Why the Whale Got So Close

Interactions with marine life happen from time to time when people are on the ocean. This is exactly what happened when some boaters were out in the North Sea when a massive animal approached them. In early September 2025, a YouTube video featuring boaters in open water was uploaded to North Sea Videos. The water was calm and the sky was blue. Seemingly, out of nowhere, the boaters are approached by a whale. Not only did this whale swim directly at the boat, but it then proceeded to swim under the boat. While the whale had no intention of hurting the people on the vessel, the encounter managed to startle them.

The reason the whale swam so close to the boaters had to do with the type of whale it was. The whale was a minke whale, which tends to approach both boats and people when they are in the water. Despite the species’ gentle nature, its size can be surprising to those who see it, especially when the view of the massive creature is just feet below a small boat, as it was for the folks who not only saw the minke whale up close and personal, but also have a video to prove just how intense the encounter was.

What Is a Minke Whale?

The curious whale that approached the boat was a minke whale. These whales tend to be very gentle, often approaching people to gain a better understanding of the creatures that invade their marine habitat. Minke whales are baleen whales. They are nearly the smallest of all baleen whales, with the pygmy right whale being the smallest. Minke whales are “opportunistic feeders,” eating a varied diet of plankton, small fish, and crustaceans. This is done by bringing a significant amount of water into their mouths and using their baleen plates to filter their prey.

Minke whales can be identified by their long, sleek, grey to black-colored bodies. The underbellies of minke whales are significantly lighter, which can be seen from time to time as they breach. One of the most telling characteristics of minke whales is their long, pointed snouts. Atop their heads are not one but two blowholes. This provides minke whales with enough oxygen as they move their 35-foot and nearly 20,000-pound bodies through the water at an incredible 16 to 21 miles per hour. Not only are minke whales impressive, but they are also curious. This is why interaction with the whales is not unheard of.

Minke Whales Are Inquisitive

Minke whales are very inquisitive and intelligent animals. This is why, if there is an opportunity, most will choose to investigate human activity on the water, rather than giving a wide berth. Of all whale species, minke whales are considered the most curious when it comes to people. They will not hesitate to approach people in small boats, larger vessels, or when snorkeling or scuba diving. In fact, it is not unheard of for minke whales to spend long periods observing and even, occasionally, interacting with divers. There are even tours established to swim with these impressive whales.

Unfortunately, it is this curiosity and willingness to trust people that have made minke whales easy targets since they became an over-hunted whale species in the 1930s. Even with protections, the gentle whale species is still killed by the thousands each year in the name of science or for food. Unlike orcas, which have caused harm and have even killed people, there are no reported human deaths caused by minke whales. These whales continue to have a naïve trust in people, which is both endearing and a detriment to the whales.

The majority of whales would prefer to keep their distance from people. This is because, instinctually, they recognize that people can be a threat. Therefore, whales will keep their distance, just as it is expected that people will keep theirs, for the safety of both whales and humans.

Why Minke Whales Need Space

Given that minke whales tend to want to explore and investigate when people are in their vicinity, people may be given the impression that it is appropriate to approach minke whales when spotted. This could not be further from the truth, and minke whales should be viewed from a distance rather than attempting to make contact.

There are guidelines in place to keep all whales, including minke whales, and people safe. The whale viewing guidelines include:

• Stay at least 150 feet away from whales when on the water
• Do not whale watch for longer than 30 minutes
• Do not chase or do circles around whales on personal watercrafts
• Do not limit the access whales have to open water by pinning them between a boat and the shoreline
• Do not join other boats that are whale watching, as it can make the whale feel threatened
• Do not get between a whale and its calf
• Slow boats if a whale comes close to the vessel

Because minke whales enjoy making contact with people on their own terms, there are companies that have been designated to allow diving in parts of the ocean that minke whales are known to frequent. However, some guidelines need to be followed when diving with the whales. Those guidelines include:

• Follow the rules of the captain and the diving instructors
• A distance of 100 feet needs to be given between minke whales and divers when entering the water
• Snorkeling versus scuba diving is recommended when around minke whales
• Do not swim directly at a whale
• If a whale approaches, holding onto a mooring line is recommended
• Do not touch the whale
• No flash photography is allowed when swimming with the whales
• As soon as whales look agitated, divers should leave the water

While gentle and curious, minke whales are wild animals and need to be treated as such. They are fast swimmers and incredibly strong. One wrong choice can turn a day of fun and awe into a nightmare.

Threats to Minke Whales

Minke whales may not be an endangered species, but that does not mean they do not face threats in the ocean. This species of whale has been targeted for at least a century, resulting in a population decline in many regions where minke whales are found.

Some of the threats that minke whales face today include:

• Whaling by countries that still participate in commercial hunting
• Getting tangled in fishing line
• Artificial noises in the ocean
• Getting struck by vessels
• Climate change is causing the warming of the oceans and ice pack melt

While minke whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, areas with significant declines are primarily located in the Atlantic Ocean and Iceland. In the Atlantic, it is due to the threats minke whales face daily, while in Iceland, it is due to a decrease in prey.

For those who want to continue having up-close and personal contact with minke whales, the species needs to be conserved further than it already is. However, with commercial fishing still being practiced and not all countries believing the whales need to be protected, the fate of the minke whale remains to be seen.