Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) are among the most
beautiful and friendly whales on our planet. There are many places to
encounter these gentle giants, and the opportunity to swim with them is
quite common.
Their scientific name, “ Megaptera “, refers to their large
pectoral fins, which are in fact the largest limbs of any creature in
nature. They were first given the second part of their name in New
England. One of the most impressive features of humpback whales is that
they “sing” underwater, emitting sounds that are thought to serve as
communication with other individuals. It’s now understood that by making
these noises, the whales are trying to find a mate for reproduction or
mark their territory.
Humpback whales are migratory animals. During the polar summer, they
feed on plankton and small fish, but when the temperatures begin to
decrease, they move to tropical seas to mate and breed.
Humpback whales are the only baleen whales that jump completely out
of the water (breaching). They also show a repertoire of at least 15
different surface behaviors, giving them the title of the most acrobatic
whale.
Your first up-close and personal encounter
with a humpback can be daunting. At 15+ meters and 30+ tonnes, they’re
so much bigger than anything else you’ve swum with. And they have
undeniable personalities and moods. Whilst one whale will be the
archetypal ‘gentle giant’, the next will be like a frisky puppy. And
some are intent on a closer inspection (I’ve had to crop my fins from so
many of my photos, where I’ve been steadily back-peddling just centimeters away from the nose of an inquisitive whale). What’s
impressed me most is their spatial awareness. Whilst a very large
animal, never would I describe them as clumsy. Even when acting a little
‘crazy’ (‘crazy whale’ was a technical term frequently used by one of
our guides), there never seemed a danger of getting whacked by a
misplaced pectoral fin or tail.