Rare School Of Up To 150 Whales Spotted Off Tioman Island

By Ben Liew • 13 Jul 2026 in News

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A rare gathering of what is believed to be between 100 and 150 whales has been spotted off the coast of Tioman Island, with footage of the encounter making waves across social media today.

The video, shared on Threads by Irwan Ismail and filmed by a diver, shows the marine mammals gliding just beneath the surface before repeatedly porpoising through the water in a mesmerising display. It’s the kind of sight that’s seldom witnessed in Malaysian waters, especially at this scale.

At the time of writing, the species has yet to be confirmed. Irwan noted that he couldn’t identify the animals, adding that they could be pilot whales, false killer whales, or another species of cetacean. Marine experts are currently reviewing the footage to determine exactly what was captured.

Despite their names, neither pilot whales nor false killer whales are true whales in the traditional sense. Both belong to the oceanic dolphin family and are highly social animals that travel in pods. False killer whales are known for their sleek, dark bodies and occasional interactions with dolphins, while pilot whales are recognised by their rounded foreheads and tendency to form large, tightly knit groups.

Watch the viral video below:

@irwanismail_ An incredible wildlife encounter off Tioman Island earlier today. We were fortunate to witness a massive pod of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), estimated at 100–150 individuals, swimming together for nearly 20 minutes. They stretched across the horizon, as far as the eye could see, creating an unforgettable spectacle. If you turn up the volume, you can even hear their vocalizations in the video, making this encounter even more special. Pilot whales are highly social members of the dolphin family and are known to travel in large, close-knit pods. Encounters of this scale are truly rare and a powerful reminder of the rich marine biodiversity surrounding Tioman Island. Nature never fails to amaze. #sortemetstellascuba #insta360 #pilotwhale #malaysia #tiomanisland ♬ original sound – Irwan

The clip has sparked plenty of excitement online, with divers and marine enthusiasts describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Several commenters, including experienced divers, said they’d never witnessed anything similar in Malaysia, while others reminded boaters and visitors to admire the animals from a distance without disrupting them.

Although whales and other cetaceans are occasionally spotted in the South China Sea, sightings involving such a large group remain uncommon. Waters around Tioman have long been home to a rich variety of marine life, including dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, and several cetacean species, making this latest encounter another reminder of the biodiversity thriving just off Malaysia’s east coast.