Whales really are the gentle giants of the ocean, which is why what happened in False Bay earlier this year is so sad.

Thankfully, steps have been taken to rectify that situation, although a recent survey of the population of southern right whales off the coast of Cape Town has shown the second-lowest incidence of the aquatic mammals in 24 years.

Let’s put those concerns aside for a second and enjoy this drone footage from the coast of southern California.

18-year-old Payton Landaas was tracking a whale near Doheny State Beach when he saw it swimming towards a dozen or so surfers. Whilst some of them appeared to notice the whale, others are clearly unaware of what is happening beneath them.

You have to love the serenity:

And, just like that, the whale was gone.

[source:newsau]