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Diving with Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale 
Diving with Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which travel for great distances through the world's oceans. As humpbacks are often easily approachable and curious, it will not be dangerous to dive with them.
On Dive Report we list whale and dolphin species in our animal calendar, but please be aware that with Humpback Whales this does not necessarily mean that you can easily dive with them in the locations listed. We have included them as there is a chance of them being spotted from the boat in transit or between dives, which is still exciting adding to the overall dive trip experience.
A humpback whale can easily be identified by its stocky body with an obvious hump and black dorsal coloring. There are four global populations: North Pacific, Atlantic, Southern Ocean humpbacks, and Indian Ocean population. Fully grown, males average 15 to 16m, Females are slightly larger (16 to 17m). Humpbacks average 40 tons and can live up to 48 years.
Humpback whales are found near coastlines, feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator and then migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth.
Due to over-hunting, there population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks have since partially recovered. However, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution also remain concerns. There are at least 80,000 humpback whales worldwide and most monitored stocks of humpback whales have rebounded well since the end of commercial whaling, such as the North Atlantic where stocks are now believed to be approaching pre-hunting levels. Nevertheless, some species are considered endangered in some countries, including the United States. The United Kingdom, among other countries, designated the humpback as a priority species under the national Biodiversity Action Plan.
More detailed information about Humpback Whales can be found here.
Can be seen at these locations
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Andros, Bahamas
Set in a tropical scattering of islands, surrounded by the third largest coral reef and some of the clearest water in the world. Andros has a wide range of exciting and beautiful marine life making this an exciting scuba diving location. The...
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Berry Islands, Bahamas
A quiet group of islands with excellent less known reefs, the Berry Islands are great for those who want a quiet holiday but still have access to excellent reefs and large pelagic species. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a...
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Bimini, Bahamas
Dives to wrecks, reefs and what is thought to be the remains of the Fountain of Youth and the Lost city of Atlantis, Bimini is an excellent, easily reached diving destination. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700...
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Byron Bay, Australia
Famous around the world for its surfing, scuba diving and laid back beach atmosphere, Byron Bay is a top tourist destination in Australia’s New South Wales. Climate The water temperature is at its coolest of 18C during August and September and is warmest...
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Cairns, Australia
The only living thing on the Earth that is visible from Space, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef structure in the world. Swimming in its turquoise warm waters surrounded by hundreds of colourful tropical fish and admiring the coral habitats...
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Cape Town, South Africa
Coming face to face with the Ocean’s most feared creature, The Great White Shark, is a thrilling, once in a lifetime experience and Cape Town in South Africa is one of the few places on the Planet able to provide this...
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Carriacou, Grenada
A gem among Caribbean islands; peaceful, quiet and unspoilt. Carriacou is volcanic in origin, with the island featuring rolling green hills, spectacular views of the surrounding sea and reefs and seemingly endless white sandy beaches. People are friendly and you can be...
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Cat Island, Bahamas
Home to the highest peak in the Bahamas, a huge 207 feet, Cat Island is a wonderful place to explore above and below the surface of the ocean. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands...
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Eleuthera, Bahamas
The pineapple capital of the Bahamas, Eleuthera has excellent diving on reefs and wrecks with the most natural wrecks of any other island. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the...
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Exmouth, Australia
Whale Sharks! The Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Exmouth, in Western Australia, is one of the few places left in the World where you can dive and swim with these majestic giants. Exmouth is a small town on the Coral...
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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
A trip of a lifetime! The Galapagos is one of the last places in the world where you have the chance of diving with huge schools of Hammerhead Sharks. The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles approx...
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Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Close up dolphin and shark encounters can be had in the waters around Grand Bahama, including dives at the famous Tiger Beach where you can get up close and personal with the amazing Tiger Shark! The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists...
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Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Home to a stunning protected coral reef that plunges to 8000 ft, Grand Turk has some great dive sites minutes from the shore. Grand Turk is part of the group of islands that makes up the Turks and Caicos Islands. With 8...
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La Paz, Mexico
Gateway to the magnificent Sea of Cortez, with access to a diverse selection of enjoyable and exciting dive sites, La Paz is a brilliant base to experience some of the best marine life encounters in the area has to offer. La Paz,...
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Long Island, Bahamas
The most scenic island in the Bahamas, Long Island has amazing diving including the deepest Blue Hole in all the Bahamas. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above Cuba...
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Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos
The largest of the islands, Middle Caicos is an island of natural beauty, a more dramatic coastline than other islands and can reach some excellent dive sites. Middle Caicos is part of the group of islands that makes up the Turks and...
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Nassau, Bahamas
Everything you could want from a holiday Nassau provides. Sharks, wrecks as well as many on land activities, beaches and a fun nightlife. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the...
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North Caicos, Turks and Caicos
Boasting the largest flock of pink flamingos in the islands and access to brilliant dive sites, North Caicos is a nature lovers getaway. North Caicos is part of the group of islands that makes up the Turks and Caicos Islands. With 8...
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Perth, Australia
Australia’s sunniest Capital City. Perth is a divers dream with a variety of dive sites located in pristine waters filled with colourful coral, historic wrecks and a diverse selection of marine life. Perth is located on the peaceful Swan River just...
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Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
A small beach town in the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica, Playas del Coco is known for great exciting diving with large marine life, especially Bull Sharks. Set on the Pacific coast it is one of the oldest beach communities in Guanacaste....
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Port Douglas, Australia
Crystal-clear waters, beautiful corals and incredible fish-life can be found at Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, an easy day boat ride from Port Douglas and on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas is on the East coast of Australia...
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
A location that is still relatively unknown, The Turks and Caicos Islands have some excellent unspoilt dive sites, crystal clear water and abundant reef life making this a premier diving area. The best known of the Islands, Providenciales is one of the...
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Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos
The best kept secret of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Salt Cay is the ultimate getaway, total adventure and relaxation at its finest. No crowds, no cruise ships and no casinos and a diver’s paradise. Salt Cay is part of the group...
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San Salvador, Bahamas
World class wall diving, frequent visits by hammerheads and striking topography, San Salvador is a must for divers visiting the Bahamas. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above Cuba...
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Socorro Islands, Mexico
Manta Rays, Sharks and Whales!!! The Socorro Islands are a diver’s paradise offering once in a life time encounters with the oceans largest creatures, and is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with Humpback Whales! The Socorro...
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South Caicos, Turks and Caicos
The fishing capital of the islands, South Caicos attracts those interested in birdlife, fishing, diving, fresh seafood and history South Caicos is part of the group of islands that makes up the Turks and Caicos Islands. Located at the southern tip of the...
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Sydney, Australia
A wonderful city packed full of iconic buildings, culture and stunning beaches. Sydney is not only one of the most popular, busiest cities in the world but also has some of the best temperate diving. Sydney is one of the main gateways...
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Taveuni, Fiji
White Sand beaches lined with swaying Palm trees and beautiful blue water full of life, Fiji really is a tropical paradise. Known to many divers as “The Soft Coral Capital of the World” you can witness wondrous colourful displays when the coral...
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The Abacos, Bahamas
A group of islands and small tranquil cays, The Abacos Islands are a perfect place to base a dive holiday, with beautiful intact staghorn and elkhorn coral structures and plentiful marine life. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of...
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The Exumas, Bahamas
Great Diving, easy reefs, blue holes and a peaceful scenic setting, the Exumas are a great location in the Bahamas to visit. The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and consists of a group of 700 breathtaking islands at the top of the Caribbean above...
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Tofo Beach, Mozambique
Resident Manta Rays and Whale Sharks are what have put Tofo Beach on the map and along with the stretches of beautiful beaches, laid back vibe and lively atmosphere this location is becoming a top holiday destination for divers and travellers alike. Tofo...
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Tutukaka, New Zealand
Tutukaka is the gateway to the amazing Poor Knights Islands rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world! Tutukaka is on the beautiful Northland coast of New Zealand. Its marina is the perfect departure...
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Unguja, Tanzania
Unspoilt by the effects of mass tourism, with year round sunshine and a great close by reef, Zanzibar is an ideal scuba diving destination. Zanzibar Archipelago off the coast of Tanzania consists of two large islands, Unguja and Pemba, also with...
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Watamu, Kenya
A small peaceful beach resort, Watamu has some of Kenya’s finest diving in its nearby protected waters of Watamu Marine Reserve. Watamu is a quiet village next to the Indian Ocean’s protected waters of Watamu Marine National Park and this protection means...
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