OUTDOORS

Diver captures whale shark swimming off the coast of Marco Island

Greg Stanley
Naples
Bill D'Antuono was scuba diving near the "L" Tower on Sunday, July 23, near Naples when he spotted this Whale Shark. In a Facebook post, he said he spent 20 minutes swimming around it. He said, "What an experience. Just in time for Shark Week."

A Naples diver captured video of a whale shark circling an abandoned radio tower about 40 miles off the coast of Marco Island this weekend.

Captain Bill D’Antuono swam for about 20 minutes with the plankton-eating behemoth as it coasted around the U.S. Air Force’s “L Tower” before heading back out into deeper waters.

Bill D'Antuono was scuba diving near the "L" Tower on Sunday, July 23, near Naples when he spotted this Whale Shark. In a Facebook post, he said he spent 20 minutes swimming around it. He said, "What an experience. Just in time for Shark Week."

Dozens of cobia and amberjack, who flock to the tower, began traveling with the friendly giant.

It’s not unheard of for whale sharks to travel closer to shore in the warmer months, but sightings are rare.

More:Shark week: You’re way more likely to die from these than a shark attack

More:South Florida researchers share the spotlight during Shark Week on Discovery Channel

It’s the second whale shark D’Antuono had ever seen.

“It’s just really rare,” he said. “I can’t believe I was able to spend like 20 minutes filming it.”