WHALE WATCHING

Whale watching is the leisure activity of observing humpbacks in the wild. Participants watch from shore or on touring boats. Humpbacks are generally curious about nearby objects, and some individuals approach whale-watching boats closely, often staying under or near the boat for long periods

3 TAIL SLAP

Lifting the tail fin high up and swinging it down straight to create a loud noise and splash. This behaviour may serve as a warning to others nearby

4 FLUKE UP & DOWN Diving into the ocean (after the peduncle arch) and lifting the tail fin on the surface. It is called a fluke up when you see the lower (ventral) side, and fluke down if you do not

7 HEAD SLAP

Exposing one-third of the body above the surface, then falling forward chin first. This is a dynamic move with splashes all around the head

1 BLOW

The breath they exhale on the surface. The white mist can reach as high as 3–5 metres

2 PEDUNCLE ARCH

When preparing to dive, a humpback arches its back and raises its tail flukes above water. The pronounced arching of the back has earned the humpback its name

5 PEDUNCLE SLAP

The humpback thrashes the surface of the water by whipping its upraised flukes from side to side. The move is a warning signal to others or can be used to bash other whales during aggressive competition for mates

8 SPYHOP

Lifting the body vertically while maintaining the position of the eyes horizontally and sinking slowly while rotating the body

6 PEC SLAP

Turning sideways, exposing the pectoral fin while tapping on the surface. They may also turn their abdominal side up and slap with both pectoral fins

9 BREACH

A powerful acrobatic display where the humpback uses its tail to launch itself out of the water. It is not known whether the behaviour is a form of communication or play

Common Movement Patterns of Humpback Whales on the Surface