Robyn Malcolm witnessed the extraordinary event while whale watching in the waters of Eden.

Experts say coupling is highly uncommon 

A photographer has captured the incredible moment a seal hitched a ride on the back of a humpback whale on the coast of New South Wales, Australia.

Robyn Malcolm witnessed the extraordinary event while whale watching in the waters of Eden.

While a pod of whales tucked into a frenzy of fish, a fur seal took his chance and jumped onto the back of one of the whales to try and catch himself a fishy treat.

Ms Malcom told the Sydney Morning Herald: "We'd seen some amazing whales coming out of the water, everything was happening so quickly. And it was when I went back through the photos that I realised I had actually captured the seal on top of the whale."

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife whale expert Geigre Ross added that the coupling was "highly uncommon", although he had heard of it happening once before.

"The only other time was a seal trying to get away from a killer whale ... the seal hopped on the back of the pectoral fins of a humpback whale," he said.

"Humpbacks force fish into very tight bait balls, that means everyone can dart through the inside or the middle - anything that makes it easier to catch fish, seals will be involved."

It has been suggested that the photo of the whale-surfing seal is doctored.  However Ms Malcom disputed the claim, saying: "I'm positive, because I don't  know how to use Photoshop. And I do still have it on the camera so I can prove it."

Image (C) Robyn Malcolm/Diimex.com