A group of scientists and conservationists had a surprise encounter with an inquisitive raft of sea lions when they went diving in an untouched kelp forest in Patagonia, Argentina.
Members of the Edges of Earth expedition were in 10-degree waters off the coast of Peninsula Mitre when they met the curious marine mammals.
The expedition’s founder, Andi Cross, had been diving with scientists Cristian Lagger and Caro Pantano from the local conservation group Por El Mar, documenting the health of the kelp forests when the playful group of sea lions came to check them out.
“For nearly 45 minutes, the raft stayed with the team,” says Andi Cross who leads the Edges of Earth expedition. “They do not often see divers in the water given how remote and untouched these kelp forests are.”
The footage, which was shared on YouTube in spring 2025, shows the lively animals darting through the water and bravely approaching the divers.
“The sea lions were curious but also cautious, letting the team know whose waters they were diving in,” says Cross.
Image and video credit: Andi Cross (Edges of Earth), Cristian Lagger and Caro Pantano (Por El Mar)
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