LANGKAWI: A viral video showing a whale leaping high out of the waters near Pulau Payar here has sparked excitement among social media users.
The 17-second video, posted by the Scuba Club Langkawi (KSL) Facebook and TikTok accounts, captures the whale making a high leap, which many have likened to a 'Superman' stunt.
The video received 47,000 views and was shared by over 106 netizens since it was uploaded on Facebook yesterday.
"On our way back from Pulau Payar after diving, and this majestic whale decided to steal the show! It was truly mesmerising to watch it!
"This was an exciting moment on our way back. Sorry for the shaky video – we were just too excited," read the caption that accompanied the video on Facebook.
The agile movements of the whale left viewers in awe, with many expressing their excitement in the comments section.
"Wow, how amazing to see it live, right in front of us. Subhanallah. Usually, we only see this on TV," commented Nur Ain Arifin.
"I've seen it there before… even the ferry followed it… but I missed my flight," said Max Purnama Masura.
Meanwhile, when contacted KSL instructor Shafila Ismail said the video was filmed last Sunday, around 1.20pm.
"At that time, I was with 11 guests on two boats, heading back after diving and snorkelling around Pulau Payar, when we spotted a Bryde's whale performing this high leap.
"Our guests were thrilled to witness the event, but for me, it's quite common after about six years in the field of taking tourists for diving and snorkelling activities," she said.
She added that during this period, she and her colleagues have frequently encountered Bryde's whales and whale sharks, scientifically known as Rhincodon typus, leaping out of the water on their journeys to and from Pulau Payar.