Two kayakers had a rare encounter with two basking sharks off the coast of Donegal this week.
The sharks, a large one and a baby one, were spotted by John Mallett and Zoeleigh Kivelehan who were having a sunset paddle near the lighthouse at Melmore Head on Tuesday evening.
Despite their close proximity, the kayakers said the creatures seemed unbothered by their presence.
Thanks to John Mallett for the video:
Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark species, and can grow up to 26 feet long. They are known for their gentle nature and are not considered a danger to humans. Basking sharks have two dorsal fins and their name in Irish is liamhán mór gréine – great fish of the sun.
These sharks can often be seen off the Irish coast during the summer months, as they migrate to warmer waters to feed on plankton.
