Four Humpback Whales in Choppy Morning Waters

Our morning departure aboard Sanctuary took us out into a moderate chop, where we encountered four humpback whales active in the bay. Despite the wind-roughened surface, the tall, bushy blows of these baleen whales were highly visible, rising several meters into the cool morning air.

The whales were moving steadily, demonstrating the methodical dive profiles typical of humpbacks when they are searching for schooling forage like anchovies or krill. In choppy conditions, whales often adjust their surfacing intervals, taking several quick breaths before raising their flukes for a deeper descent into the water column.

This single morning trip allowed us to track the small group as they worked a localized area of the bay. Observing these animals in less-than-glassy conditions offers a clear look at their power and adaptability, as they navigate the swell with apparent ease.