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Inspiring Moments from the Ocean Deep

Dive into a heartwarming collection of videos featuring majestic whales, dolphins rescuing humans and animals, and the peaceful rhythms of the sea. Whether you’re here to relax or be inspired, these powerful ocean stories will lift your spirit and deepen your love for marine life.

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Dolphins and Whales Rescuing Humans

Incredible true stories of dolphins and whales swimming in to protect other marine and land animals from danger.

Ancient Greek historian Plutarch wrote: "To the dolphin alone, beyond all others, nature has given what the best philosophers seek; friendship for no advantage. Though it has no need of man, yet it is a friend to all men and has often given them great aid."

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Missing swimmer found surrounded by pod of dolphins (2021 – Ireland)
A swimmer stranded at sea for over 12 hours was surrounded by a pod of bottlenose dolphins, which helped volunteers locate and rescue the man.
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Friendly dolphin shields diving couple from shark (2021 – Hawaii)
Two divers were swimming with a rough-toothed dolphin when a curious shark appeared. The dolphin swam around the divers and vocalized until the shark left the area.
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“A whale saved my life.” (2017 – Cook Islands)
A humpback whale protected a whale biologist from an aggressive tiger shark. Remarkably, the woman was reunited with the whale that saved her life a year later.
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Dolphins save teenager from drowning (2014 – California)
Bottlenose dolphins led a team of researchers to a girl lost at sea with a suicide note in her pocket.
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Swimmer gets hour-long dolphin escort after shark sighting (2014 – New Zealand)
Marathon swimmer Adam Walker sees a shark beneath him while swimming across the Cook Strait. Then a pod of 10 dolphins suddenly joins him until the shark disappears.
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Fisherman lost at sea given hope by a dolphin (2014 – Gulf of Mexico)
A visit from a “porpoise” (likely a dolphin) encourages fisherman Joey Trevino to not lose hope after his boat sank and he was lost at sea for 30 hours.
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Beluga whale saves diver (2009 – China)
During a freediving competition in the arctic tank at an aquarium in China, a distressed diver is guided to the surface by Mila the beluga whale, saving her life.
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Dolphins save Puerto Princesa fisherman (2008 – Philippines)
A pod of dolphins, and possibly even pilot whales, save a local fisherman from drowning after his small boat overturns during a squall. The fisherman is also a dolphin warden promoting marine tourism.
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Dolphins save surfer from becoming shark’s bait (2007 – California)
A pod of bottlenose dolphins form a protective ring around a surfer who had just been mauled by a great white shark, allowing him to reach shore safely.
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Did dolphins save injured diver? (2006 – Channel Islands, England/France)
Dolphins draw rescuers’ attention to a lone scuba diver who was knocked unconscious after being hit by a boat, ultimately saving his life.
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Dolphins save boaters in 2004 tsunami (2004 – Thailand)
Scuba instructor Chris Cruz and diving crews survived the tsunami after following dolphins to safety off the coast of Khao Lak, north of Phuket.
Dolphins save swimmers from shark (2004 – New Zealand)
Dolphins surround a group of swimmers, shielding them from a great white shark and preventing a possible attack.
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Dolphins led rescue boat to us (2004 – Red Sea)
Thirteen divers lost at sea for over 13 hours believe a pod of dolphins led rescuers directly to them.
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‘Dolphins saved me from sharks’ (2002 – Australia)
After over 40 hours stranded in the ocean, a fisherman is surrounded and protected by dolphins, preventing a shark attack.
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Elian says dolphins saved his life (2000 – Florida/Cuba)
Elian Gonzalez said dolphins helped keep him afloat and guided him to safety after his boat sank during an escape from Cuba.
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Dolphin saves boy’s life (2000 – Italy)
A dolphin named Filippo rescues a 14-year-old boy who fell overboard from his father’s boat.
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Diver bitten by mako shark is saved by dolphins (1996 – Red Sea)
After losing more than 5 pints of blood to a mako shark, a swimmer is rescued when dolphins arrive and drive the shark away.
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Three dolphins rescue tourist from sharks (1996 – Gulf of Akaba)
A British tourist is surrounded and protected by dolphins during a shark encounter, allowing time for rescue.
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Dolphins to the rescue -- again! (1983 – New Zealand)
After humans failed to guide 76 stranded pilot whales to sea, a pod of dolphins successfully led them to safety.
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Dolphins to the rescue (1978 – New Zealand)
Officials enlisted dolphins to help save 50 beached pilot whales in Whangarei Harbour. The dolphins led the whales back to open sea.
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Dick Van Dyke: Pod of porpoises saved me (Date not specified – Virginia)
Actor Dick Van Dyke recalls being pushed to shore by porpoises after drifting out to sea while napping on a surfboard.
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Dolphins saved my life (Date not specified – South Carolina)
A young girl was taken for the ride of her life on the back of a dolphin, keeping her safe from a nearby shark.
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Dolphins and Whales Saving Other Animals

We often read in the news about humans rescuing stranded, entangled, sick, or injured whales and dolphins, but did you know that these animals do their fair share of lifesaving too?

Humpback whales protect seal from orcas (2022 – Adelaide Island, Antarctica)
Humpback whales disrupted a hunting event by trumpeting and physically blocking a seal from orcas.
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Orcas free humpback whale trapped in net (2022 – Bremer Bay, Australia)
A pod of orcas freed a humpback whale that had become entangled in fishing nets.
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Humpback whales intervene in killer whale hunt (2012 – Monterey Bay, California)
Researchers and whale watchers observed humpback whales attempting to protect a gray whale calf from orca predators.
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Dolphin helps save life of doberman (2011 – Florida)
A dolphin alerted humans to a Doberman that had been stuck in a canal for 15 hours, ultimately saving its life.
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Save the Seal! Whales act instinctively to save seals (2009 – Antarctica)
Research scientists observed humpback whales blocking killer whales to protect targeted seals.
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Dolphin appears to rescue whales (2008 – New Zealand)
Moko the bottlenose dolphin successfully led a stranded pygmy sperm whale mother and calf back out to sea after multiple failed human attempts.
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Dolphins rescue sea lion from killer whales (1978 – Unspecified location)
After a sea lion was surrounded by killer whales, dolphins intervened by forming a protective circle, leaping over the orcas and preventing the attack.
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