Rare footage shows remora fish whale-surfing on humpbacks off Australia

Off Australia’s east coast, scientists have captured breathtaking footage of remora fish — the ocean’s ultimate hitchhikers — clinging to humpback whales as they breach and dive.

The so-called suckerfish use suction plates on their heads to latch onto 40-ton giants, feeding on dead skin and sea lice while catching a free ride across thousands of kilometers.

Filmed by Dr. Olaf Meynecke of Griffith University, the videos show up to 50 remoras surfing in perfect sync — and whales breaching, seemingly to shake them loose.