How to Safely Swim with Humpback Whales
A diver dives with with a playful pod of Humpback Whales. Rurutu, French Polynesia
After spending the past few years studying these incredible creatures, talking to local guides, and practicing safety measures, I have compiled this list of the most important things to consider to swim with humpback whales safely.
Looking to Swim with Humpbacks?
Is It Safe to Swim With Humpback Whales?
Just by looking at the mammoth size of these beautiful creatures, it’s no surprise that some are not as eager to hop off the boat. After all, adult whales are the length of a school bus and weigh upwards of 40 tons. One accident could potentially spell disaster. On the flip side, we must also consider the safety of the whales.
Sharing the same space as these gargantuan animals does not have to be a scary experience. Humpback whales are one of nature's most gentle sentient creatures and are highly connected to their surroundings. They have unbelievable control over their body movements and special recognition. With the right guidance, you can limit the risks of swimming next to these gentle giants.
Following a few basic ground rules, swimming with humpback whales can be a rewarding and safe adventure for humans and whales.
Let’s go over the essentials.
The Whales Control the Interaction
Remember that nobody in your group controls what a whale might do in the water. These are wild animals, and you are entering their territory.
Swimming with humpback whales is never on your terms, and the amount of interaction is up to the whales. That’s why I always proceed with caution when I am lucky enough to see these majestic creatures in the wild.
Stay behind your whale guide for a safe encounter, and let them gauge the whale’s behavior. This will allow you to determine whether you are invited into their home or if moving elsewhere is best.
I only enter the water at a minimum distance of 150 meters from the whales, ensuring that the whales are in charge of the interaction.
If they don’t want to swim with us, they will not approach or continue swimming on their way. If they approach, stay calm and let them come to you. If they decide to play, you’ll know immediately, as their behavioral changes will indicate a desire for an interaction-- swimming closely, doubling back, swimming under us, surfacing next to us, etc.
Don’t Touch the Whales
Humpback Calf swimming with its mother. Vava’u, Tonga.
Physical contact with humpback whales poses several safety concerns for both humans and the whales. That’s why touching whales is typically prohibited for both your safety and the whales’.
Your physical safety can be jeopardized if a whale feels threatened. Whales may swing their massive tales in self-defense (and also in times of merriment, but more on that later), which can cause you bodily harm. Humpback whales also have sharp barnacles on their fins and bellies that can cut you and possibly lead to an infection.
Avoiding contact also protects whales. It is best if whales remain far away from boats, as accidents with shipping vessels kill numerous whales each year. It’s generally never acceptable to touch a wild animal.
It’s certainly possible a whale might attempt to initiate contact with you— this happens occasionally, especially with playful adults and curious babies. However, it’s best to avoid this scenario for your and the whales' safety. If this happens, stay calm and swim slowly backward to avoid direct contact.
Never Swim at Moms and Calves
The mother will be nearby whenever you see a baby animal in the wild. We all know the protective instincts of our moms, and the same goes for mama whales that we may encounter.
When spotting a calf, the best thing to do is keep a safe distance to avoid confrontation with its parent. Any moves we make towards the calf could be interpreted as aggression, and this may cause the adult whale to defend its baby, normally by swimming away. The mothers are tired from raising and feeding the calves, and we do not want to add to their stress.
Also, young calves have yet to develop full control of their bodies, and they can accidentally cause you harm when too close. Although the babies are quite playful and extremely curious, it’s best to stay a bit farther away from them, as they can also breach right next to you when excited. Babies are still 3 to 4 meters long and carry substantial weight.
To be clear, never swim directly at a mother and calf. Wait for them to approach; float there slowly at a distance of around 20-30 meters and see what they do.
Avoid the Tail
A whale’s tail is powerful enough to propel its enormous body out of the water in just three pumps. One swipe could have grave consequences if you were swimming in its vicinity.
Whales cannot see you when you’re around the tail, and they may unintentionally strike you in the water. It’s extremely rare for a whale to purposely use its tail to cause harm, but you always want the whale to see you.
This will avoid catastrophic accidents if the whale propels itself from the water. You’ll always swim close to the whale’s face and near its eyes for safety.
You Must Be a Strong Swimmer
If you're not confident in your swimming ability, you may want to consider staying in the boat. Most whale swimming expeditions occur in deep, open ocean water, and may spend long hours on the water. Waves can be powerful, and inexperienced swimmers may find themselves in dangerous situations at sea.
If you’re unable to control your body in the water, you potentially put yourself and the whales in harm’s way. I recommend only strong swimmers participate in these experiences to ensure your safety. You must be able to swim a minimum of 400 meters unaided at a time in open water. Remember, the maximum distance a boat can get to a whale is 150 meters, and whales swim much faster than humans.
Sudden movements, splashing and thrashing in the water on your part, actually scare the whales away, so this is also something to consider (this behavior also may attract oceanic white tip sharks, which have an overlapping territory with humpback whales, and that’s not exactly a shark you’d like to attract). You must be confident, calm, and smooth in the water when around whales.
Learning how to free dive before whale swimming is advisable to improve your experience, though this is not a requirement to engage with the whales.
Only Dive if the Whales Are Already Comfortable and Interacting With You
The whale whisperer and Captain, Onoi Tavita in Rurutu, French Polynesia
The second-to-last safety pointer concerns free diving. You should only dive (meaning descend to below 3 meters or more) when the whales actively interact with you and become comfortable with your presence.
Diving too early can scare the whales away and ruin an interaction. Wait for the whales to become comfortable, make multiple passes with you, and display playful behavior before diving.
Likewise, never dive with a calf and mom; snorkel calmly at the surface with them instead.
Always Listen to Your Guide
The most important thing you can do for your safety during your swim with humpback whales is always follow the whale guide's instructions. They have years of experience observing the behavior of humpback whales and will be able to determine the appropriate times for a successful interaction.
This will ensure you remain safe, respect the whales, and create magical memories of connecting with, respecting, and appreciating wildlife.