‘Sorry mum’: Diver’s terrifying close encounter with great white near Bali

Heart-racing footage has captured the moment a five-metre-long shark spotted a group of divers and started swimming directly towards them in waters near Bali.

A group of divers have had a terrifying close encounter with a great white shark near Bali, with heart-racing footage capturing the moment the five-metre-long creature spotted the group in the water and stared swimming directly towards them.

Swedish diver Fabian Clinton was diving with a group of five others 22 metres below the surface in waters off Nusa Penida island 20km from Bali, on Wednesday, when they came face-to-face with great white – a shark rarely seen in Indonesia.

Speaking to news.com.au, Mr Clinton said he first noticed a “big silhouette” swimming in the blue but he couldn’t initially make out the shape.

“I got everyone’s attention and once we understood it was a great white everyone freaked out, out of excitement,” the 31-year-old offshore conveyor said.

But emotions quickly changed when the shark abruptly switched directions.

Mr Clinton said the group were excited when they first notice the shark. Picture: Instagram@foffo4

But emotions quickly changed when the shark turned to face them. Picture: Instagram@foffo4

Video footage filmed on Mr Clinton’s GoPro captured the moment the shark turned its body and started swimming directly towards the group – it’s scar covered body becoming more visible.

“When it turned, I got a bit spooked out … and when it was face-to-face, that is when proper adrenaline kicked in,” he said.

Mr Clinton said his mind began racing with many thoughts – “Sorry mum” and “Damn now “I’m a bit exposed” among them.

Despite the fear, the 31-year-old tried to focus, straighten his upper body and slowly swim backwards while keeping his eyes locked onto the shark.

Thankfully he didn’t have to swim backwards for long, with the shark eventually deciding to change directions and take off into the depths of the ocean.

“My last thought was ‘f*** I have to stroke its nose with my fin if it gets closer’ but then it turned and that was a f***ing releif”.

The five-metre-long shark swarm directly towards Mr Clinton. Picture: Instagram@foffo4

Thankfully changed directions again moments later. Picture: Instagram@foffo4

Mr Clinton said it was the first time he had encountered a great white shark, noting they are “very rare” in Indonesia.

“In Indonesia, reef sharks and bamboo (and) nurse sharks are common,” he said.

Mr Clinton shared the footage to social media, describing the encounter as “scary” yet “amazing”.

“I can’t believe it. This is beyond the holy grail of diving,” he wrote.

Many online also expressed their shock over the close encounter.

“This is crazy!!!!! When it turns to face you omg,” one person wrote.

“The cameraman never dies; the cameraman backward-kicking for his life!” another joked.

“You have completed scuba diving after this,” wrote another.

“Good thing he was full!!” another joked about the shark.