Maybe it was trying to communicate with its mama, or perhaps it was trying to get barnacles off its body.
Another theory – maybe it was just having fun.
Passengers aboard Newport Coastal Adventure got a thrill when a juvenile humpback whale started breaching right next to the boat Sunday, Nov. 30, the massive mammal propelling its body toward the sky.
“Because it was doing it so much, it could have just been having a good time, a juvenile whale just out having fun,” said wildlife photographer Mark Girardeau, recounting how the humpback breached more than 50 times to the thrill of passengers.
This summer was lackluster for whale sightings, with few blues showing up and the gray whale migration off to a slow start.
For the past month, humpbacks have had the spotlight on the sea.
The humpback whales started showing up at the end of October, according to Dana Wharf Whale Watching logs. Some days, over multiple trips, there have been several sightings per day.
The best day was about a week ago when 10 humpbacks were spotted on one trip.
“There’s a tremendous amount of humpbacks in the area,” said Dana Wharf manager Donna Kalez, noting they’ve been spotted between Orange County and Oceanside in recent weeks. “It’s super amazing out there … I just keep getting report after report.”
Passengers aboard Dana Wharf’s boat also were treated with a super close encounter about a week ago, as a humpback floated just inches from the boat, spraying saltwater onto lookie-loos from its blowhole.
“You have been kissed by a whale,” naturalist Nona Reimer told the passengers.
Newport Coastal Adventure owner Ryan Lawler said this time of year is often underappreciated, but for the past decade, humpbacks have been very present.
Along with following a migration pattern, the whales are actively feeding on anchovies out in the waters.
Humpbacks are known for their curious and playful demeanor and are known to approach boats, turn in circles and leap out of the water.
“The humpbacks are the most charismatic whale species to watch,” Lawler said. “Blue whales are massive, but they don’t exude charisma like humpbacks do. They are breaching and coming over to say hi. For all of us who work on whale watching boats, this is our favorite time for whale watching.”
The jumping juvenile on Sunday, Nov. 31, was just five miles off the coast. Girardeau speculates it likely only recently ventured off on its own, away from its mom, and was likely a year or two old. It was about 25 feet in length.
“All of the passengers were so stoked, it was really nice hearing the excitement from everyone,” he said, noting that one breach was just 100 feet from the inflatable boat. “We hope the humpbacks stick around longer, we’re happy we’ve already had a month of humpback sightings. It would be good if they stuck around for another month.”