Portrait of Ivan Breslauer

Hi, I'm Ivan. I'm a lifelong freediver from Croatia with an endless fascination for marine mammals.

I started (what would eventually become) Ivan With Whales as an Instagram page back in 2017 shortly after buying my first underwater camera rig, with the idea of sharing my freediving photos with the world.

Seeking unique underwater experiences has taken me to some of the most beautiful corners of our Planet. This is where I found my calling — to swim with, observe and photograph whales in their natural habitat.

Today, Ivan With Whales is my outlet for documenting and promoting swimming with whales experiences (mainly with Norway's orcas), but also sharing my thoughts and content I find interesting.

My mission is to offer a window into the world of cetaceans and inspire a sense of awe for these gentle giants. The biology, diversity, capabilities and social bonds of whales is something that will never cease to fascinate me, and I want to spread this sentiment contageously.

So please, join me on this journey as I continue to explore and document the extraordinary world of whales. I hope these encounters inspire you as much as they've inspired me.

Ivan Breslauer

How I got here

  1. 2016Spring

    Purchased my first interchangeable lens camera and started shooting. A decade of photography begins.

  2. October

    Attended a lecture by BBC Planet Earth cameraman Doug Allan in Bray, Ireland. Listening to him was inspiring and further fuel my passion for wildlife photography.

  3. October

    Bought an underwater housing and took the camera below the surface for the first time.

  4. December

    Joined my first orca expedition in northern Norway. First swims with orcas and humpback whales in Troms.

  5. 2017March

    Completed freediving training and certification in the famous Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt.

  6. May

    Enjoyed diving around Ireland while I lived there.

  7. June

    Trip to Mexico to freedive and film in cenotes.

  8. Summer–Autumn

    Cold water freediving training at Portroe Quarry, Ireland, building comfort and depth in cold, dark water.

  9. September

    Completed PADI Divemaster certification.

  10. 2018January

    Joined Orca Norway as a crew member for the first time — the start of a long-running relationship.

  11. May–June

    Six weeks in Koh Tao, Thailand, completing the SSI Freediving Instructor course. Dove to 40m. Certified as SSI Freediving Level 2 Instructor at the end of June.

  12. July–October

    First stint in Tonga: working as underwater photographer and videographer on whale swim trips, and as a SCUBA guide.

  13. November–December

    First season as a guide with OrcaNorway in Norway's Arctic fjords.

  14. 2019January–July

    Living in New Zealand. Two trips to Kaikoura to freedive with dusky dolphins.

  15. April

    Returned to Tonga to obtain whale swims guide certification.

  16. July

    Learned how to husk coconuts.

  17. July–October

    Second Tonga stint — this time as a certified whale swims guide and SCUBA guide.

  18. November–January

    Another guiding season with OrcaNorway in Norway.

  19. 2020January

    Moved to Madeira island. Swam with dolphins multiple times and had a rare underwater encounter with a monk seal. Took up spearfishing, further improving my in-water skills.

  20. 2021July

    Organised a freediving trip to the Azores: blue sharks, mobula rays, dolphins, and sperm whale sightings.

  21. November

    Orca season with OrcaNorway.

  22. 2022February

    Ran a photo fundraiser after the Hunga Tonga eruption and tsunami affected friends I've made from my time living there.

  23. November

    Orca season with OrcaNorway, arguably my best ever.

  24. 2023September

    Organised a trip to Eua Island, Tonga, for humpback whale swims.

  25. November

    Another orca season with OrcaNorway.

  26. 2024November

    Another orca season with OrcaNorway.

  27. 2026January

    A week guiding a travel group onboard Polarfront, followed by a week with OrcaNorway. Approaching a full decade in the water with Norwegian orcas.