Shadow-stalking trumpetfish & a shark on the hunt

The annual Sardine Run phenomenon brings huge shoals of migrating sardines past South Africa’s eastern coastline – and baitballs of these bite-sized fish don’t stand a chance against the ocean’s top predators. From the bizarre-looking garfish to the large Zambezi shark, the predators waste no time getting in on the feeding action, and the tiny anchovies are attacked from every direction. It’s a breathtaking experience for our cameraman – but it’s not without risk! During a few hair-raising moments, the panicked fish attempt to use him as cover from the frenzied blacktip reef sharks.

Our cameraman films a pair of mating leopard sharks and a cuttlefish laying her eggs. There’s also a rare glimpse of a tiger-tail seahorse and some bizarre pufferfish behaviour.

Divers in Indonesia’s Cenderawasih Bay are almost guaranteed a sighting of whale sharks. Well-known to the locals, these gentle giants gather in huge numbers around fishing platforms waiting for an easy meal. We’re treated to an amazing and close-up encounter with these ocean behemoths as they gulp down mouthfuls of small fish.

Take your time exploring the unusual reef formations of Thailand’s Phi-Phi National Marine Reserve and you’ll be treated to some amazing sightings! Our cameraman captures a huge school of yellowtail barracuda, a giant clam, a creepy-looking sea cucumber, vividly coloured scorpionfish and some impressive gorgonian sea fans – all in ultra HD.

Exploring the waters off Thailand’s picturesque Koh Racha Noi island is like diving in an aquarium! A powder blue surgeon fish darts past, redtail butterflyfish school above the reef and a peacock mantis shrimp scuttles across the coral, showcasing its extraordinary colourations. We’re also treated to a pufferfish feeding display and a close-up look at the beautiful bearded scorpionfish – all in ultra HD.

It’s jellyfish season in the Phi-Phi National Marine Reserve so we’re taking an up-close look at these amazing creatures and the tiny fish that live amongst their tentacles – in ultra HD! We also capture an unusual interaction between a wrasse and a blackspotted pufferfish.

This week, a lesson on why divers should not get too close to turtles locked in a territorial battle! We also film rare razor wrasse behaviour on South Africa’s famous Aliwal Shoal reef, a cave encounter with some pineapple fish and a mantis shrimp on the hunt.

This week in Wild Oceans … your guide to unusual shadow-stalking behaviour courtesy of a trumpetfish on the hunt! A white-tip reef shark is also on the lookout for potential prey, and we end off with a last-minute encounter with some playful dolphins.

Filming the notoriously fierce and territorial titan triggerfish calls for extra caution this week. Our final dive from the Philippines also brings us a rare sighting of a critically endangered green turtle and a lucky encounter with a beautiful clown triggerfish – all in ultra-HD!