Moments later, a Bryde\u2019s whale surged out of the cloudy water, took a massive bite<\/a> of the bait ball \u2014 and then disappeared just as quickly, Marzilli told news agency SWNS.<\/p>\n GREAT WHITE SHARK SIGHTINGS RISE ALONG NORTHEAST BEACHES AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Bryde\u2019s whales<\/a> are large baleen whales commonly found in warm, tropical and subtropical waters.\u00a0<\/p>\n The species is considered one of the great whales, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.<\/p>\n Bryde\u2019s whales are large baleen whales found in warm waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website said. (iStock)<\/p>\n The unexpected encounter left the divers momentarily frozen.<\/p>\n Marzilli said it took several seconds to process what had happened, as the group had been focused<\/a> on watching fish just moments earlier.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Half of it was honestly in shock because you are expecting to see fish, and then all of a sudden there’s this 20-, 30-ton whale that’s right in front of you,” she said.<\/p>\n The encounter lasted only about two minutes, but Marzilli said it felt unforgettable.<\/p>\n A diver was near a large sardine bait ball with friends when activity suddenly spiked \u2014 and a Bryde\u2019s whale surged through the water. (SWNS)<\/p>\n The dive took place in November in Magdalena Bay off Baja California Sur, an area known for intense marine activity<\/a> during sardine season, SWNS said.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Marzilli said the bait ball her group was observing was unusually large.<\/p>\n The November dive in Magdalena Bay off Baja California Sur left the group in disbelief. (SWNS)<\/p>\n The divers were keeping a safe distance of roughly 15 to 20 meters when the feeding frenzy escalated.\u00a0<\/p>\n As fish began attacking the bait ball more aggressively, visibility dropped as the water filled with foam.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n After the whale vanished and the bait ball was quickly consumed, the five divers surfaced in silence, exchanging looks of disbelief.<\/p>\n Marzilli said the experience was something she never expected to witness<\/a> firsthand.<\/p>\n![\"Large](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/brydes-whale.jpg\")
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