Whale Watchers Look the Wrong Way As Huge Animal Breaches

One might think it would be hard to miss a 45-foot humpback surge, but somehow the extraordinary event was missed by a boat of people. This tour was cruising along the Cork coast of Ireland to get a look at the whales who have recently made the area home. 

Five humpbacks have been spending time in a harbor area, attracting an increasing number of tourists looking for close encounters with the creatures. The whales are visiting the area to feast on the plentiful amount of herring. 

The whales' activity attracted other animals, too. Fin whales and dolphins have also been spotted in the same space. These unexpected visitors have led to a longer season for most whale-watching guides. 

"I would normally be operating until the end of November, but I'll keep going while the whales are there," Nic Slocum, who runs Whale Watch West Cork, told the Daily Mail U.K. "Although they can be seen from the shore, there's been a big demand from tourists to go out in a boat to look at them. It's been great for business."

Guides are unsure of how long the whales will stay in the area. For now, there is enough herring to keep the animals interested, but the whales could move on at any moment. 

It is clear that the whales are having a good time on their vacation to Ireland. Photographers have captured the creatures playing as a group. Experts think the animals all came from the same pod and are familiar with one another. 

"They have been bubble feeding for the past two weeks — using bubbles from their blow holes to push fish to the surface — and they have been tail slapping and seeming to play with one another," lifeboat man Youen Jacob told the Daily Mail U.K. "They looked like they were enjoying themselves, as well, blocking each other and breaching out of the water."