Seeing a whale in the wild can be an amazing experience, and even more so if you manage to get up-close while riding on a paddle board.

Adventurer Rich German managed to capture he amazing moment a giant blue whale surfaced just metres in front of him as he paddle boarded off the coast of Laguna Beach, California.

Using his GoPro, the adventurer followed the majestic whale for at least a minute as it made its way through the ocean, just two miles from the shore.

Rich, who has been paddle boarding for four years, said: 'I felt exhilarated. I was a little scared at first but realised these animals are completely harmless.

'Blue whales eat krill and have no interest in eating me.

'I waited to see if he would approach me, which he did. Blue whales have the ability to swim very fast - up to 30 MPH - so clearly this whale was comfortable with me being in its presence.'

The whale appeared disinterested as Rich German paddled alongside to film the amazing scene

The majestic animal is seen swimming alongside the paddle boarder for up to a minute near Laguna Beach

Adventurer Rich German captured the amazing footage with a GoPro while paddle boarding

Rich was paddling approximately two miles off the coast when the encounter happened and he estimated that the whale measured up to 90 feet in length.

But after he posted the video online, some people claimed he had violated marine laws about engaging wildlife.

However, Rich - who met with a Federal Special Agent from the Marine National Fisheries - was told he did not contravene any laws.

The blue whale is estimated to have measured between 70 and 90 feet in length

As Rich gets closer to the mammal, a fellow paddle boarder and two kayakers are also seen nearby

Rich added: 'When people first hear about my close encounter some incorrectly questioned the legality of it.

'I personally met with a Federal Special Agent from the Marine National Fisheries who confirmed that there was no violation.

'Obviously they want to make sure no one is harassing marine life which clearly I was not doing.

Some accused the adventurer of harassing marine life, but on speaking with experts, Rich confirmed he had not contravened any laws

'Sadly humans have all but decimated the blue whale population on our planet.

'There used to be over 300,000 blue whales and no tragically only about 8,000 remain.