Swimming With Wild Seals For 20 Years 🦭 

Seems you've received a Seal of approval for your hospitality and kindness.

Literally ... Underwater...Doggos

I was on the same dive boat as Ben a couple of years ago in the Farne Islands, near Scotland. Soon as he jumped in the water, the seals came right up to him as if he was their owner and they missed him. They seemed to recognise him and were so comfortable around him. That got my hopes up, but when I got in the water the seals were curious but kept their distance for the most part. Goes to show they really do remember him (plus he's an experienced diver so doesn't scare off the seals like beginners do with jerky movements and lots of bubbles). He also volunteered to unclog the boat motor when it got jammed up with kelp. Thanks Ben!

The seals faces resembles that of puppies! So adorable . Just beautiful. It shows how wonderful our fellow creatures are..

"They seem to understand what's my equipment and what's me." That's one of the most fascinating things I've noticed watching animal interaction videos. They seem to understand clothing and equipment. Animals seem to be more intelligent than we give them credit for.

A seal is just an underwater dog…. Same level of infinite cuteness!

It’s always amazing to see an animal capable of incredible violence (grey seals are fantastic hunters) being so gentle. It shows thought and intelligence, proving yet again that animals are not stupid or killing machines. I love when sharks behave the same way. Great video.

They're literally sea puppers!

Watching two seals holding embracing one another like an old couple dancing to an oldie truly melted my heart.

That’s unbelievably beautiful. Like he said, “to have a wild animal holding your hand, looking in your eyes…” I think time WOULD stop.

I LOVE seals. Those warm eyes... So much love there. Thank you for the beautiful video.

Can't imagine why anyone could dislike something this warm and precious

The way the seals look at this man in his eyes.... You can tell they are content with his presence. I never thought I would need this but this video made my day.

Just beautiful. It shows how wonderful our fellow creatures are.

The way this man speaks about his experience diving with seals is so beautiful. It sounds like a profound, spiritual experience.

That scene with the 2 seals together is mesmerizing

Wow they are so affectionate! The interaction between the seal and doctor was as if they had known each other for a long time. This was endearing to watch, I had a smile on my face the whole time.

Don’t they have lovely eyes. What gentle souls. You stroke them and they stroke you back, that’s real kindness. They can obviously sense your energy. Thank you for this gorgeous video!

These seals holding his hands and embracing one another...serms like they have so much sense. There is more to animals then we understand❣️🥹

I think my heart would explode with joy and the laughter of my soul would reverberate through time and space to the far ends of the universe.

This man is legend. Just what I needed today, great post. I swam with seal lions in the Galápagos Islands last month and it really was spectacular

Seeing the seal pet the doctor at the end was priceless.

"Any interaction has to be 100% on their terms." It's great that he warns about wildlife and respecting their space.

The Seals love you because you are a WONDERFUL PERSON...

Such intelligent and soulful beings. May they stay safe from us.

Surprise: mammals of the sea are just as curious and playful as mammals of the land.

Your video has literally moved my soul. It’s really amazing and moving.

Thank you…that was so lovely!🩷

Looking at their eyes, and at the way they close their eyes when getting petted and rubbed, really does remind of us of dog behavior. What a great experience!

You could see that they are actually smiling and having fun by their facial expressions. So awesome and wholesome. 😊

What a gorgeous clip. The reluctancy, the modesty and the wisdom. Lessons in life.

This video literally gave me goose bumps. They are Sooo intelligent and thinking many thoughts simultaneously and this guy knows they could rip him to shreds in seconds but yet they are curiously playful and as gentle as can be. Truly amazing ❤

How beautiful. This really made my night! I get visited yearly by hummingbirds. This year I forgot to replenish their liquid, and was told...in a very DIRECT way, by one as he hovered 3" from my nose for 7 or 8 seconds ....to fill it up NOW! Which I did. After I did this, he drank, and then came BACK to face me again....As if to say "Thank You!" Blew my mind!!

Yesterday I was trying to describe to my wife what it's like to dive with seals and today I found this video. Perfect timing. I've dived with seals in The Farnes, Calf Sound in Orkney, Loch Long and many other places and it's just magical. I once had a seal grabbing my fins on a night dive in Loch Long at around 30 Mtrs. and couldn't work out what was happening at first. Scary but fun.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤no words only ..emotions, thank you special man ,this creature are incredibile incredibile

This film, so respectful and warm to the natural world around us, must be shared! It testifies that we are a small element of a Whole, that each living being is peaceful when we respect it, that an understanding between species can be revealed... This can serve as a lesson to us to live in peace and protect the Nature in its entirety. It's a wonderful testimony that you give us and I thank you very much.💗 💗💗💗💗💗

I love the human touch, affection, and interaction that the seals enjoy and crave.

I've never seen anything like this in my life. I SCUBA and free dive. I've seen all kinds of underwater mammals but not like this! They LOVE YOU!! You can tell! The one letting you scratching his belly just melted me! 🥰The hand holding experience must just put you at the heart of our creator, ya know. A human connecting with a wild and very intelligent animal is ALWAYS a joy to watch. Thankyou for sharing this with me....well... with us. All of us!🤗

This has to be one of the best videos to ever be on RU-vid

That hug is the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time 😢😢😢❤

The seals faces resembles that of puppies! So adorable 💖🦭

0:18 that's just the cutest underwater bear I've ever seen :)

Such a wonderful video. It’s a beautiful thing to see how inquisitive and affectionate the seals can be. Thanks for showing us your underwater life.

The animals always Know where are the pure feelings. ❤️❤️❤️

The seal headpatted you. Life goal achieved!

The last one looked like it was returning the favor, giving you a good scratch back 😀 Thank you for this lovely video!

Такие тёплые обнимашки. Спасибо, что дарите свою любовь этим милым тюленям.

Ben, this is one of the most personally rewarding and worthwhile hobbies and uses of time that a human being could do with their free time. Gorgeous sea friends.

I’ve swam with seals once. It was the best experience in my life.

I swear I saw a big smile on one of them when you were scratching them. Thank you for being a light in this dark world.

I love this. The bond we share as humans with animals is so special and beautiful. This uplifts us all that we are interconnected.

This animal literally gives you a handshake underwater like "oh hey sir, how you doin?"

Priceless lesson for life: 1. Mindfulness is so important 2. Don't look back or ahead too much 3. Looking back can trigger depression 🔥 No wonder his 20 years interacting with seals is such a rich pool of experience. Very immersive and enlightening video. Thanks a bunch for sharing your story! As an open distance swimmer of lakes myself, I can testify indeed...time does really seem to stop while interacting with nature indeed.

When you spoke about the hand squeeze being returned by the seal it really resonated with me. It must be a magical experience. I believe bottle nosed dolphins are very similar. I interacted with one in captivity, (obviously not the same), but I felt as though I could sense something between us. Felt great. Thanks for sharing this.

God gave you the gift of harmony and wisdom in that moment a complete connection. You are blessed! I would do anything for that fleeting rare connection. 100% joy to your soul

This is so incredibly wholesome ❤ seals, but really, ALL wild animals, are truly incredible and unique in their own special way. Animals are the best ❤

Ben, that's a great video compilation. I'm a diver of nearly 40 years myself and have dived the Farnes several times. I've had a number of similar interactions with the Grey Seals there. I think I recognise one particular place - that fine sandy bottom with rocks rising on the side at 2:55 and 6:46 - western side of the Longstone? It truly is a magical experience and you summed it up well.

You defined yet another adventure I hope to enjoy someday. Thank you for this breathtaking account of this beautiful sea animal.

Love is genuinely universal. Thank you so much for sharing! And wishing you many years to come with the seals.

What a gift to you from the seals. A moment that will never leave you or your soul.

Lovely footage. The seals seem so curious and friendly. This is an experience I would like to add to my bucket list. "Chill underwater with seals"

That’s about the coolest vid I’ve ever seen. I had no idea seals 😮would squeeze your hand with its flipper. What an amazing world The Lord made. Be blessed everyone

Awesome!!! Thank you so much for sharing how special seals are and thank you for sharing your underwater magical world with us. You’re awesome! 🦭

How very precious!!! You just fully warmed my heart!! I would love to have such a powerful interaction with these beautiful creatures!!! 🥰🙏☮️🙏🥰 Thanks for sharing!

Any kind of friendly interaction and understanding between a human and an animal is a true honour and blessing to the individual. It's quiet mind boggling that some religions and cultures are against this with even domesticated animals....and yet they have no problem eating them....or disrespecting them!.

He has the humility to learn from these animals and let them get to know them. Most humans do not have that yet. Thank you for this beautiful video.

Beautiful. Had similar experiences with sea creatures- Keep up the great work and educating the world

This video and the seals touched my soul.

The seals are very gentle and playful. Thank you for the the video .

Just another proof that every creature enjoys hugs and friendship 🙂💞

You must be a good man! Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience.

To see them cuddle you and smiling was so incredibly sweet really touched my ❤. 😊😮💕

That was soothing to watch. I don't believe in an afterlife, but if there was one, living like that forever would be heaven.

This guy is so lucky to have this pastime and experiences with these beautiful creatures - seals are one of those rare creatures that never lose their cuteness as they get older and to interact with them in this way seems like such a wonderful thing

I watched this video many times but I still enjoyed watching them, they were so gentle and so sweet. Thanks for sharing your video. Stay safe

I was smiling from the first second....what beautiful animals❤😊

So happy you’re still in the good company of Whiskers…the curious & blissful nature you share in common with sea dogs.

What a wonderful video. Seals are amazing & a billion people need to see this video.

you have been chosen as their friend..that must feel amazing to go into their world and give belly rubs..they are so beautiful

Thank you for this wonderful video. The seals are so kind and gentle.

They're an intelligent animal and they find him interesting. Best way to experience wild-life is on their terms. Wonderful.

What intelligent, beautiful creatures! You are incredibly blessed to spend so much time with them. Animals fill up your soul there’s nothing like it.

this is so serene, what a wonderful experience and moments

This is just so calm warming, with so much Loves that animals have for the peace and gentle human they met .. so lovely indeed 🐾🐾🐾♥️♥️♥️♥️

My heart is warm just looking at you and all those seals swimming around you and hugging, trying to get into your arms. It is just awesome. People in the hospital should see this video it is extremely relaxing, all in nature is therapeutic.

My first job away from home was a kayak tour guide off the coast of New Brunswick. It was a really hard time for me but taking people out to see the harbour seals made everything worth it. They would whip under my kayak and constantly flip my rudder up. I’m so grateful for that experience, they truly are amazing!

This gentleman's interactions with the seals warms my heart.

What an absolutely beautiful video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with all of us.

This is amazing , you can see the love and benevolence in these animals eyes , incredible !

They're such beautiful creatures ❤️😍

Seals are very loving and kind. That is wonderful. They are gorgeous creatures, gorgeous animals.

Many many years ago I had a wonderful seal encounter below rocks on white sand on the east side of Lindisfarne, I was lying on my back on the sand and one drifted down to me, put its paw on my fin and sniffed it then moved up my leg, eventually it's big head and huge eyes looking into my face, I lifted my hand and stroked it on the head for (as you say) what seemed like minutes, but only a few seconds, then in it's own time it drifted off ... only once in my life but a burnt in special experience I share with my daughter, who I'd love to give the experience to.

Wow! Thank you sharing the close ups with these beautiful creatures

You are truly one of the blessed to be able to experience such serenity.

I swam with some sea lions off the cost of Peru in Lima. It was an airbnb experience. Was one of the coolest things I've ever done, hands down. Will never forget it.

When I was 19 ('91-'92) I was diving off the north coast of Australia mapping out the wreck of the HMSS Australian (I might have the name wrong as a quick search didn't find one under that name.....it was over 30 years ago after all). The water clarity was incredible with anything up to 100 metres on some days and the spread of wildlife I had the honour to see, most of them being rather dangerous (as are most of the animal's generally in Australia ;D). My favourite encounter was with a manta ray that came back to see us to swim around and investigate over 3 days. I spent a lot of my time measuring and sketching the wreck so didn't notice it approach me (on day 3). It bumped me and, as I "span" (a fairly slow process in water :P) around it came up my front with it's back to me. It took me a while to realise that what it wanted was for me to hold on to it (nope...I'm serious)...which I did. I had a ride a fair distance riding a manta ray (he ended up being called "Ray"....no, not much imagination I'll admit :)). If you observe, learn and respect animals who knows what can happen.

So so beautiful, warm, lovely, funny that tears are coming. Amazing… goes deep in my heart

Wow. You are blessed..... that must be very rewarding

I dove off Fiji with a commercial diver named API and after we watched him feed about a dozen bull sharks, I went on my way to film some coral and as I was just swimming slow at about 45 feet I took my eyes out of the view finder and there, shoulder to shoulder with me was a 8 foot Bull Shark - could have petted him- he just swam with me and then slowly moved on - and I have it on video :) 1996

So Awesome! Seals are the dogs of the ocean!