Experienced kayaker Craig Whalley captured stunning footage of his close encounter with a grey seal.

Craig, who lives in Onchan and is a harbour keeper in Douglas, was approached by the inquisitive seal while he was kayaking off Maughold Head on Sunday.

He had headed out at 11am and it was a few hours later that the seal approached.

’The seal came to me, you always get the best close up shots when you leave it to them,’ he said.

’It must of been approximately 30 minutes I spent with it.’

It’s not the first time that Craig has captured spectacular footage of marine wildlife in Manx waters.

In August last year, he was lucky enough to come across three basking sharks feeding on plankton while kayaking near Fleshwick.

Craig told the Manx Independent: ’I never get tired of my close encounters with the marine wildlife that we get around the Isle of Man.

’I do get a little apprehensive when around these wild animals, you’re never sure what they’re going to do!’

Craig said it was important to remember the environment you are in and to respect the creatures whose home is the sea.

He said people shouldn’t approach wild animals.

’Seals especially around pupping season and when the younger seals are about can be very aggressive,’ Craig said.

A good knowledge of the tides was also needed before heading out to sea.

Craig said: ’The tides can be very strong around Maughold Head.’

Seals can be seen around the Isle of Man. The biggest population is at Kitterland, the small island between the mainland and the Calf. Other good places to spot them are Douglas and Maughold Heads, the Ayres and Peel harbour.