The gentle giants are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth and Banfi said it was 'unique experience'


These stunning snaps of a majestic blue whale diving deep into the ocean will take your breath away.

The beautiful images show the whale plunging into the deepest depths of the clear blue sea - and one diver was lucky enough to swim right beside him.

Swiss photographer Franco Banfi jumped at the chance to go swimming with the giant mammal when he was on a whale watching expedition in south Sri Lanka.

Franco, 57, said: 'I went out to sea, around 10 to 15 miles from the coast, to the deep sea. I'd heard you can find all sorts of whales, but personally I was more interested in the blue whales.

'I decided to free dive to watch the blue whale from under the surface.

'Swimming with blue whales - the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth - is a unique experience. It's a meeting that will remain with me for a lifetime.'

Swiss photographer Franco Banfi jumped at the chance to go swimming with the giant mammal when he was on a whale watching expedition in south Sri Lanka

Around 10 to 15 miles away from the coast, the photographer decided to free dive under the surface to watch the majestic animal

Franco said: 'Swimming with blue whales - the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth - is a unique experience. It's a meeting that will remain with me for a lifetime.'

Gentle giant: Blue whales are the largest and heaviest creatures to have ever lived on Earth and can grow up to 30metres long and 173 tonnes in weight

Monster of the deep: Feeding mostly on krill, the mammal catches its food by diving to depths of 500metres

Having a whale of a time: The beautiful images show the whale plunging into the deepest depths of the clear blue sea