Share The LOVE Explore the World of Humpback Whales One place on the east coast of the United States, Virginia Beach offers people a unique opportunity to witness majestic humpback whales up close. Migrating annually along the Atlantic coast, Virginia Beach becomes a prime spot for observing the whales breaching and tail-slapping. From December to March, you can adventure on whale-watching tours to see these gentle giants as they travel through the area’s coastal waters. It is an unforgettable experience. The whales often come close to shore, making for life-changing sightings. The presence of humpback whales in Virginia Beach contributes to tourism and underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts worldwide. These efforts are crucial to protect the marine environment the whales rely on. Virginia Beach is just one location that provides an ideal location to witness the inspiring journey of humpback whales and serves as a call to action to preserve their habitat for the health of our ocean planet. What is a Humpback Whale? Humpback whales are large marine mammals recognized by their distinctive body features, which include long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. They can grow to a vast 40 tons in weight and 50 feet in length. These whales are also known for their complex songs and acrobatic breaches, which are thought to be related to communication and mating. Humpback whales migrate between cold-water feeding grounds and breeding grounds in warmer regions. They usually feed on small fish and krill and use baleen plates to filter prey. Social creatures like humpback whales are often seen in pods and exhibit various social behaviours. Behaviour and Communication Humpback whales have complex and varied behaviours. They are famous for their haunting and melodic songs, which are believed to play a role in mating rituals and communication between individuals. These songs can last for hours and are known to travel long distances underwater. In addition to singing, humpback whales engage in acrobatic behaviours such as breaching, where they leap out of the water, and tail slapping, when they smack their tails on the surface, creating loud noises and plumes of water. These actions are considered a form of communication or play, and they help maintain social bonds within their pods. Lifespan and Reproduction Reaching sexual maturity between 4 and 10 years, Humpback females typically give birth to a single calf every 2 to 3 years, although there are rare instances of annual calving. The gestation period lasts about 11 months; newborn calves are usually around 13 to 16 feet long. After being born, young humpback whale calves stay close to their mothers for up to a year, relying on their protection and nourishment. Mothers are attentive during this time, often swimming alongside their young and touching them with flippers to provide comfort and security. Although calves do not maintain long-term bonds with their mothers, they often remain in the same feeding and breeding areas. This proximity helps calves learn essential survival skills and find resources in the same habitats their mothers frequent. What Do Humpback Whales Eat? Humpback whales primarily feed during the warmer months and occasionally into cooler periods to build up their fat reserves, which are essential for winter survival. Their diet mainly consists of small crustaceans like krill and small fish, which they filter-feed on using various techniques. Humpback whales employ several sophisticated methods to catch their prey. They use bubbles, sounds, the seafloor, and pectoral fins to herd, corral, and disorient their prey. One notable feeding technique is “group coordinated bubble net feeding,” where whales create curtains of air bubbles to concentrate schools of fish. Once the bubbles condense the prey, whales lunge upward through the bubble net to capture the fish. This technique is often executed in groups and demonstrates high coordination. Regional populations of humpback whales exhibit different bubble-feeding strategies, highlighting a degree of specialization in their feeding behaviours. Swimming With Humpback Whales Swimming with humpback whales is a breathtaking experience that lets you get close to these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Locations like Tonga, Hawaii, and the Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic are other popular destinations where guided tours offer safe and respectful interactions with these gentle giants. In Tonga, for instance, swimmers can encounter humpback whales during their migration from July to October as they come to the warm waters to breed and give birth. Hawaii’s Kona Coast offers a chance to see these whales from December to April, while the Silver Bank provides a prime location for interactions between January and April. In Socorro, off the coast of Mexico, lucky scuba divers can also witness Humpback Whales, as well as other large marine species such as Pacific Mantas and dolphins. Read more about that here. Humpback Whales in Virginia Beach Sighting humpback whales in Virginia Beach is not year-round, so plan your trip. Virginia Beach does see whale activity, particularly during winter when humpback whales migrate along the East Coast. That said, other species of whales can be spotted in the area. From May through to November, you may be lucky to see Fin whales; from June to November, Minke whales can be seen, and occasionally, a North Atlantic Right Whale may appear. Exploring nearby whale-watching destinations such as the Outer Banks of North Carolina or Cape Cod in Massachusetts might be more rewarding for those seeking more frequent or closer encounters. These locations offer specialized tours that increase the likelihood of observing humpback whales and provide a better chance for meaningful and ecologically minded whale-watching experiences. How Fast Can a Humpback Whale Swim? Humpback whales can swim up to 16 to 18 miles per hour (25 to 30 kilometres per hour) during short bursts, especially when breaching or evading threats. However, generally, they swim at a more relaxed tempo of about 3 to 5 miles an hour (5 to 8 kilometres per hour) during regular activities like feeding and migrating. Their ability to accelerate quickly is remarkable, but they usually conserve energy by swimming slowly. This slower pace allows them to efficiently navigate their environment and engage in behaviours such as bubble net feeding. How Long Can a Humpback Whale Hold its Breath? Humpback whales can dive for 15 to 30 minutes while holding their breath. This breath-holding ability allows them to stay immersed while searching for food or travelling underwater. Their breath-holding capacity varies depending on their activity level. For instance, they might surface more frequently when engaging in high-energy behaviours like feeding but can manage longer dives when foraging or migrating. Do Humpback Whales Have Teeth? Humpback whales do not have teeth as we know them. They have baleen plates made of keratin, the same material as human hair and nails. These plates hang from their upper jaw and filter small fish and crustaceans from the water. The baleen plates allow humpback whales to efficiently capture and consume their prey by straining large volumes of water. This adaptation is beneficial during their feeding strategy, often involving bubble net feeding to concentrate their food sources. How Do Humpback Whales Sleep? Humpback whales do not sleep in the same way land mammals do. They practice unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, meaning they rest one half of their brain while the other half remains active. This helps them to maintain awareness of their surroundings and continue swimming. During this sleep, humpback whales alternate between resting one side of their brain and the other. This behaviour ensures they can stay alert for potential threats and navigate their environment while resting. To Wrap it Up Humpback whales in Virginia Beach offer a distinctive opportunity to witness these majestic creatures up close. Their annual migration along the Atlantic coast makes Virginia Beach a prime spot for observing these gracious creatures. Their spectacular behaviours, such as breaching and tail-slapping, are an incredible sight. From December to March, whale-watching tours provide a chance to see these gentle giants in their coastal waters, making for an unforgettable experience. If you are interested in discovering more about spotting whales around the globe, do not hesitate to contact us. We are constantly updating our list of the best whale-watching spots. And we may have a new one for Blue whales 🙂 Written By: Mojo Rising An avid diver, marine conservationist and plant-based athlete. I roam the globe looking for the best places to scuba, documenting my journey as I go. See author's posts
