17/08/2026
Every Humpback encounter is different, and every behaviour we witness is incredible in its own way. 🐋 We call surface activity the Language of the Whales™️ as due to the energy required for this action the reason for it is often an important part of how our Humpback Whales communicate.
Some days, we may see spectacular surface activity, with whales breaching and tail slapping over and over. Other days, we simply watch them peacefully surface to breathe as they continue their migration.
We can’t promise which behaviours they’ll display each day, and there's no time when they are more active than others, but that's what makes it so exciting!
What we can promise is the opportunity to observe wild Humpbacks behaving naturally, entirely on their own terms.
Here are some behaviours we may be lucky enough to witness 🤩
🐋 SPY HOP: Lifting the head vertically above water, usually to investigate what’s happening above the surface.
🐋 FULL/ HALF BREACH: Launching most of/ half of the body from the water. It creates a huge noise and is a very important part of communication, both friendly or defensive.
🐋 CHIN SLAP: Bringing the chin forcefully onto the surface. Often seen in competition pods as males compete for position.
🐋 HEAD LUNGE: A powerful forward surge of the head and upper body, often associated with defensive or competitive behaviour.
🐋 BLOW: Simply breathing! This is usually the first sign we look for. The visible mist is produced as the whale exhales at the surface.
🐋 TAIL DIVE: Raising the flukes as the whale dives, helping generate power to descend. Sign of a dive or... potentially preparation for a breach.
🐋 TAIL SLAP: Forcefully slapping the flukes against the water, defensive communication.
🐋 PEC SLAP: Slapping those enormous pectoral fins against the surface, for communication, play or social interaction. A very friendly or flirty Language of the Whales.
🐋 TAIL LOB: Lifting the tail and rear body upwards before forcefully bringing it down, usually a defensive or assertive behaviour.
🐋 TAIL SAIL: Holding the fluke above the surface for an extended time. Usually observed in warmer climates as a way of thermoregulating or a favourite feeding position for many mother Humpback Whales.
