
These wondrous photographs of 40-tonne humpback whales swimming in the Indian Ocean give an up close look at life beneath the waves.

Divers reached depths as far down as 80 feet to capture the giants of the sea in their own world.

Despite their colossal size these ocean mammals can be seen gliding through the water as if weightless.

One photo puts into perspective the size of the whales, which weigh more than three London buses, as a diver appears tiny in comparison.

Others pictures reveal the close bond between this intimate whale family.

Underwater photographer Gabriel Barathieu, 32, took these shots in an encounter lasting 25 minutes, off the coast of Reunion Island which is owned by France.

Divers reached depths as far down as 80 feet to capture the giants of the sea in their own world whilst in the Indian Ocean

This photo puts into perspective the size of the whales as a diver appears tiny in comparison to the hulking creatures

Humpback whales are rorquals, which are part of the family which includes blue whales and minke whales

Others pictures reveal the close bond between this intimate whale family of humpback whales in the Indian Ocean

The whales' size means they weigh more than three London buses and they can be found in oceans all around the world

Humpback whales have a conservation status of the 'least concern' - with a population said to be of 80,000 in the world

Underwater photographer Gabriel Barathieu, 32, took these shots in an encounter lasting 25 minutes, off the coast of Reunion Island

The whales' population fell by 90% because of hunting but recovered after conservation work in the 1960s

Humpbacks can migrate up to 16,000 miles a year and feed only in the summer on a diet of krill and small fish