Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean—and one of its most mysterious. In this episode, I explore their world through stunning aerial and underwater footage captured in the Sea of Cortez. Learn surprising facts about their size, unique patterns, feeding behavior, and why they’re considered gentle giants. Along the way, we take a look at a rare moment—an unexpected encounter with great white sharks sharing the same waters. This video offers an up-close look at one of nature’s most awe-inspiring species and the fragile ecosystems they call home. ------------------------- Very special thanks to Bridget Nugent for capturing the underwater whale shark and great white shark footage while I flew the drone above. Special thanks to David Fox for capturing the incredible underwater whale shark and great white shark footage. ------------------------ Annual "BEST' OF" video is out now. https://youtu.be/MykFdjv26fU?si=tFGtW7OyJOAvJgNT MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00:20- Facts about Whale Sharks 00:03:00- Whale Sharks Feeding on Plankton 00:04:50- Whale Shark Encounters Great White Sharks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

This week, I visit the bustling shores of Huntington Beach—where I finally spot my first great white shark of 2025—and then head to the cliffs of Point Dume in Malibu, where I share a powerful whale-watching experience with my 3-year-old son. Featuring stunning drone footage, shark encounters near surfers, migrating gray whales, a massive bait ball of feeding dolphins, and even a rare mola mola sighting, this video is a celebration of marine life along the California coast. Annual "BEST' OF" video is out now. https://youtu.be/MykFdjv26fU?si=tFGtW7OyJOAvJgNT MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00:33- Searching for Great Whites in Huntington Beach, CA 00:04:06- Searching for sea life in Malibu, CA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

How many great white sharks are left in the world? In this video, we dive into the latest population studies of great white sharks, from the rebounding numbers in Cape Cod to the concerning decline in South Africa and the groundbreaking research of the California White Shark Project. Using satellite tracking, photo ID, and decades of fieldwork, scientists are piecing together a clearer picture of these elusive apex predators. Are their numbers increasing or disappearing before our eyes? ------------------------------------------ MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:02:01- Cape Cod great white shark population 00:05:10- South Africa's great white shark population declines 00:07:15- California White Shark Project population study --------------------------------- CITATIONS: Further Research CAPE COD Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) Population Study https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/white-shark-news/2023/8/1/study-presents-first-population-estimate-for-white-sharks-off-cape-cod-massachusetts AWSC Shark Study Logbook (Shark IDs) https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/white-shark-research LINK to "Chasing Shadows" Book https://www.harpercollins.com/products/chasing-shadows-greg-skomalret-talbot?variant=41120605995042 --- SOUTH AFRICA Evidence of cascading ecosystem effects following the loss of white sharks from False Bay, South Africa https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1530362/full South Africa Orca & Great White Shark Study "Direct observation of killer whales preying on white sharks and evidence of a flight response" https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.3875 Further insights into killer whales Orcinus orca preying on white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in South Africa https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/1814232X.2024.2311272 CALIFORNIA List of California White Shark Project population studies and research https://www.californiawhitesharkproject.org/research-1 Estimates of regional annual abundance and population growth rates of white sharks off central California https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320721001567 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

Great white shark skin is unlike any other in the Marine ecosystem. In my latest video, we take a look at a unique shark with what may be a skin condition and we reexamine footage of what may be documentation of the world's first newborn white shark. #seaserpents #greatwhiteshark #oceanlife #greatwhite #dronevideo

Great white sharks carry their history on their skin—from deep battle scars to mysterious markings. In this video, I explore the fascinating role of a great white shark’s skin, its ability to heal, and reexamine a shocking discovery that has scientists questioning everything: a potential newborn great white shark. Is this a rare pigmentation disorder or the first-ever footage of a newborn white shark? Just when we have some answers, I find another shark that could change my perspective. Wait until you see this footage! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00:45- Explanation of a shark's skin 00:01:22- Mating Scars 00:02:24- Great whites get scars from battling each other. 00:03:41- A look at a great white shark's healing abilities 00:04:05- Parasites on great white shark skin 00:04:56- An update on the possible newborn white shark 00:07:07- A shark I've never seen before: Could it be a skin condition? Annual "BEST' OF" video is out now. https://youtu.be/MykFdjv26fU?si=tFGtW7OyJOAvJgNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CITATIONS: Further Research PDF of South African Great White Skin Recovery Study: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Oliver-Jewell/publication/266135308_Boat-Strike_Wound_Healing_in_Carcharodon_carcharias/links/54257e460cf2e4ce940385d4/Boat-Strike-Wound-Healing-in-Carcharodon-carcharias.pdf?origin=publication_detail&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uRG93bmxvYWQiLCJwcmV2aW91c1BhZ2UiOiJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbiJ9fQ - Newborn Great White Shark Observation Paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10641-024-01512-7 - Okinawa Aquarium Newborn Shark Paper Mentioned in Video https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10641-024-01560-z -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

Stand-up paddleboarders have some of the most incredible encounters with great white sharks—and they don’t even realize it! In this video, I break down why paddleboarders see more sharks than anyone else, how white sharks behave around them, and what these interactions reveal about these fascinating predators. Featuring my favorite drone footage of stand-up paddleboarders including a unique encounter with film star Orlando Bloom. Annual "BEST' OF" video is out now. https://youtu.be/MykFdjv26fU?si=tFGtW7OyJOAvJgNT MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00:24- Surfers, boogie boarders, swimmers, near great whites 00:01:20- Why do paddleboarders see more sharks than anyone? 00:02:50- Film star Orlando Bloom paddleboards next to great white. 00:04:20- Adult Great White sharks reacting to humans 00:05:23- Size difference between juvenile and adult great white 00:06:36- Paddleboarders fall off board near great white shark -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

I travel to Tiger Beach, one of the world's top shark diving destinations, for an unforgettable encounter with tiger sharks, lemon sharks, and more. This trip pushed me beyond my limits—photographing sharks up close, witnessing a baited dive, and taking my first-ever dive into the blue. With insights from Shark Week cinematographer Joe Romeiro and expert dive masters, I explore the beauty, power, and misunderstood nature of these apex predators. If you've ever wondered what it's like to dive with tiger sharks in the Bahamas, this is a must-watch! Annual "BEST' OF" video is out now. https://youtu.be/MykFdjv26fU?si=tFGtW7OyJOAvJgNT MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Joe Romeiro’s YouTube page full of more shark content! https://www.youtube.com/@333_productions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.

Join me as I interview Dr. Gavin Naylor, Director of the International Shark Attack File, to discuss the 2024 shark attack report. We discuss shark behavior, attack classifications, and the scientific methodology used to analyze incidents worldwide. Plus, Dr. Naylor shares expert insights on shark safety and how to minimize risk in the ocean. If you're curious about the latest shark attack trends without sensational tones and what they mean for beachgoers, this is a must-watch! If you've had a shark encounter please report to to me at ReportASharkEncounter@gmail.com and I'll pass it over to Dr. Naylor. Here is the link to the official file: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/ Link to Beach Safety Resource Page: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/reduce-risk/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERCH store is now LIVE. Check out my latest designs. https://themalibuartist-shop.fourthwall.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is greatly appreciated on this channel. Please visit my Patreon page to support more videos like this. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/TheMalibuArtist Or join my YouTube Crew or Explorer Membership. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:00:50- Annual Shark Attack Numbers at a Glance 00:05:15- Do Juvenile Sharks Pose as much Danger as Adult Sharks? 00:10:18- Are Sharks in Australia more Aggresive? 00:13:30- How does the ISAF gather data? 00:16:40- Do you know the species in each attack? 00:12:52- What is a provoked attack? What's unprovoked? 00:29:16- What shark safety tips do you recommend? 00:32:38- Report your shark encounter! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all footage licensing inquiries please reach out directly to me via the contact form on my website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All music has been licensed for use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT a marine biologist. As with all YouTube content, I encourage independent verification of facts via official scientific and trustworthy sources. I will strive to post citations for any information I discuss here whenever possible. My goal is to use photography and drones to bring awareness to wildlife and the nature around us. I welcome collaborations with scientists to bring cinematic elements to the educational presentation. If my drone work can assist in the study of these animals, please reach out to me.