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Some underwater photographers have dived with great white sharks. Some have even gone diving without a cage. But those who have freedived with this awesome apex predator are in short supply. And thanks to this 360-degree video, you can get a hint of that same sensation while staying dry. 

Underwater shooter Keith Ellenbogen was out photographing whales off of Boston as part of a NOAA project, when he spotted a strange fin at the surface. Forgoing any doubts, Keith jumped in and was somewhat surprised to come face to face with a 16-foot great white shark.

“We were on a head-to-head course,” Ellenbogen told the Cape Cod Times. “The shark and I made very strong eye contact.” 

This incredible encounter is now immortalized in immersive 360-degree video. More important than the footage itself is what it accomplishes when reaching a mass audience. Ellenbogen is just beginning a multi-month, $40,000 grant to raise awareness for protection of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. I mean, with great whites and whales everywhere, who wouldn’t want to protect it?

Read more about the encounter in this article by the Cape Cod Times.