Overview
- Rusty Hunter, 24, reports encountering the same white harbor seal about 10 times over six months while freediving off Laguna Beach.
- The seal has displayed affectionate behavior such as swimming between divers, resting its head on him, and pressing its snout to his mask.
- Some meetups have lasted unusually long, including about 90 minutes in December and another extended interaction in late January.
- Hunter films the encounters and posts selectively on Instagram but says he is reluctant to share widely because he does not want people chasing seals.
- He and fellow divers emphasize they do not initiate contact, noting the dives occur in a Marine Protected Area, and he urges respect for the ocean and cleaner beaches.