Watching Humpback Whales in the Pacific
Vancouver Island, Baja California, and Hawaii are Good Places
Oct 6, 2009
Pacific Humpback Whales feed in the cold and productive waters of the Gulf of Alaska throughout the summer, and in the fall they migrate back south to their tropical and sub-tropical calving grounds.
Most (over half) will travel more than 3,000 miles to the Hawaiian Islands, while the rest will either head across the ocean towards Japan or down the American coast towards Baja California.
Where and When to Watch Pacific Humpback Whales
- During the spring migration northwards many humpbacks pass close to Vancouver Island, and towns on the west coast (like Tofino) can be used as bases for whale-watching excursions.
- Throughout the summer they will be far north in the Gulf of Alaska, making them much further away from accessible ports – only the very determined will get to see them at this time. A great pity, because this is when they will collect together in groups and engage in the famous ‘bubble-net’ fishing.
- Early in the fall the humpbacks will begin to leave Alaskan waters, and those passing down the Canadian and American Pacific coast can often be seen quite close to shore.
- The population that winters around Baja California will arrive there in December, and stay until March. During this period they can be seen quite easily by taking a boat out of San Diego. Longer cruises can take in the whole of the Baja and move round to the Sea of Cortes. This is reputedly some of the best whale-watching in the world. (Careful planning would also allow a visit to a Monarch Butterfly sanctuary.)
- Those who are fortunate enough to be able to take a winter holiday in Hawaii will be able to hire boats and watch the bulk of the Pacific humpbacks when they are calving around Maui.
Binoculars for Whale Watching
Most naturalists will eventually feel the need of a pair of binoculars, and whale-watchers are no exception. Choosing the right pair is always difficult, and some of the things to take into consideration are covered in ‘Whale Watching Binoculars’.
If money is no object it is possible to buy stabilised binoculars, which correct for the vibrations and movements of the boat. These are very heavy as well as very expensive, but they reputedly improve image quality very effectively.
Photography is also possible, but it is very difficult to watch and photograph at the same time – unless, that is, digital camera binoculars can be afforded!
Tracking the Annual Migration of Hawaiian Humpback Whales
The BBC tagged a number of Humpback Whales in 2008, and their progress during the annual migration (from Hawaii to Alaska) can be seen at the ‘World on the Move’ website.
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