A giant squid was spotted close to a Japanese shore — and the rare footage is incredible

A new video of a giant squid might make you think twice before jumping into the ocean anytime soon.

Spotted off a pier in Toyama Bay, Japan, on Christmas eve, the giant squid swam beneath boats for several hours before heading back out to sea, CNN reports. 

Akinobu Kimura, owner of Diving Shop Kaiyu, got up close and personal with the squid in the water. 

Here's a look:

"This squid was not damaged and looked lively, spurting ink and trying to entangle his tentacles around me," Kimura told CNN. "I guided the squid toward to the ocean, several hundred meters from the area it was found in, and it disappeared into the deep sea."

At just over an estimated 12 feet long, this particular giant squid actually wasn't so giant. Older giant squid can grow to over 43 feet in length, CNN also reports. 

Giant squid may be common in the deep ocean, but they are rarely photographed or recorded alive, especially near shore. So to have one just hang around while a diver swims around with a camera is unprecedented.

You can watch the entire video of the rare encounter below: