Diver Bartolomeo Bove has captured stunning close-up footage of southern right whales off the southern coast of Argentina.

The video shows a range of shots featuring the marine mammals effortlessly gliding past Bove.

Further drone footage reveals how the whales dwarf Bove and his crew.

He told Newsflare: "At the beginning of September 2023, I traveled to this untamed area renowned for its unique wildlife to film the southern right whales, one of the most extraordinary and impressive ocean inhabitants that I have ever had the privilege of seeing.

"The Valdes Peninsula is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whales that from June to December migrate from the chilly waters of Antarctica to the warm and protected waters of the Peninsula to meet other whales, mate, give birth and take care of their calves. With more than 1.300 specimens visiting the area annually, the Valdes Peninsula contains the globally most important breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale, a species that had severely suffered from commercial whaling.

"Their mating system is polyandrous, meaning that several males participate in mating with one female. Weighing more than 60 tons, male right whales have one of the largest penises in nature: 12 foot (4 meters) long and extremely flexible, making it easier to deposit their sperm very close to the egg, in the female’s genital tract, during the brief copulation that only lasts a few seconds.

"The calm waters that surround the Valdes Peninsula favor the care of the young. The relationship between a whale and its calf is very strong and lasting over time, since the calf depends on its mother for a full year. During the first weeks the mother is very protective; there is a lot of physical contact.

"The body control these animals have in the water is impressive. There are places with very little depth, and they get very close without touching you. The whales decide whether to approach or not. Some are very elusive and others very sociable.

"Finding yourself in the natural environment and at such a close distance from such a majestic, immense creature, feeling its breathing, locking eyes with it makes you reflect on how small we are.

"These enormous marine animals can measure 53 feet (16 meters) in length and weigh more than 60 tons, yet they have an exceptional grace and harmony when they move. The encounter with these gentle giants transmits a feeling of peace and humility; the humility that allows us to feel empathy towards the creatures with whom we share our planet and gratitude for having the privilege of witnessing these impressive manifestations of nature."

Shark diver and underwater videographer Bartolomeo Bove captured spectacular footage of the endangered southern right whales off the coast of Peninsula Valdes in Argentine Patagonia in September 2023. Filmed under Government permit.
The Valdes Peninsula is a Patagonian nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the coast of Argentina. At the beginning of September 2023, I traveled to this untamed area renowned for its unique wildlife to film the southern right whales, one of the most extraordinary and impressive ocean inhabitants that I have ever had the privilege of seeing.
The Valdes Peninsula is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whales that from June to December migrate from the chilly waters of Antarctica to the warm and protected waters of the Peninsula to meet other whales, mate, give birth and take care of their calves. With more than 1.300 specimens visiting the area annually, the Valdes Peninsula contains the globally most important breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale, a species that had severely suffered from commercial whaling.
Their mating system is polyandrous, meaning that several males participate in mating with one female. Weighing more than 60 tons, male right whales have one of the largest penises in nature: 12 foot (4 meters) long and extremely flexible, making it easier to deposit their sperm very close to the egg, in the female’s genital tract, during the brief copulation that only lasts a few seconds.
The calm waters that surround the Valdes Peninsula favor the care of the young. The relationship between a whale and its calf is very strong and lasting over time, since the calf depends on its mother for a full year. During the first weeks the mother is very protective; there is a lot of physical contact.
The body control these animals have in the water is impressive. There are places with very little depth, and they get very close without touching you. The whales decide whether to approach or not. Some are very elusive and others very sociable.
Finding yourself in the natural environment and at such a close distance from such a majestic, immense creature, feeling its breathing, locking eyes with it makes you reflect on how small we are. These enormous marine animals can measure 53 feet (16 meters) in length and weigh more than 60 tons, yet they have an exceptional grace and harmony when they move. The encounter with these gentle giants transmits a feeling of peace and humility; the humility that allows us to feel empathy towards the creatures with whom we share our planet and gratitude for having the privilege of witnessing these impressive manifestations of nature.