Diving with Grey Whales

On Dive Report we list whale and dolphin species in our animal calendar, but please be aware that with Grey 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.

Grey whales were once called ‘devil fish’ because of their fighting behaviour when hunted. Grey whales are often covered with parasites and other organisms that make their snouts and backs look like a crusty ocean rock. Grey whales measure from 12.2m in length to 15.3m for mature gray whales. Females tend to be slightly larger than males, as with all baleen whales. A mature grey whale can reach 40 tonnes and reach maturity at 8 years, with growth stopping at the age of 40. They have a life expectancy of 50-60 years.

Grey whales were once called ‘devil fish’ because of their fighting behaviour when hunted. Grey whales are often covered with parasites and other organisms that make their snouts and backs look like a crusty ocean rock. Grey whales measure from 12.2m in length to 15.3m for mature grey whales. Females tend to be slightly larger than males, as with all baleen whales. A mature grey whale can reach 40 tonnes and reach maturity at 8 years, with growth stopping at the age of 40. They have a life expectancy of 50-60 years.

These whales were once the target of extensive hunting, and by early in the 20th century they were in serious danger of extinction. But they have been granted protection from commercial hunting by the International Whaling Commission since 1949, and are no longer hunted on a large scale. Today they are protected by international law, and their numbers have grown. In 1994, the grey whale was removed from the United States endangered species list.

More detailed information about Grey Whales can be found here.