Mother, Calf & Escort

Every year, hundreds if not thousands of Humpback Whales (Southern Hemisphere population) migrate from Antartica to the tropical waters such as Tonga, Niue, Australia, South Africa and as in this post, in French Polynesia to give birth to their babies during the months of July/August. They will then stay around the warm waters for a few months to allow their calfs to grow bigger/stronger, before making their journey back to Antartica. During this period, the adults does not feed/hunt, while at the same time the Mother Whales are still able to breastfeed their calf.

In water interactions are usually not allowed in most countries, but in Tonga, Niue and French Polynesia, it is still allowed but just swimming/snorkelling and no free diving or scuba diving.

Up close encounters in the water with the Whales are simply amazing and the sounds they make can be very loud and mesmerising!