- Animal
- Time of year
- Area, Country or Location
- Type
- Experience
- Can see
On Dive Report we list whale and dolphin species in our animal calendar, but please be aware that with Sperm 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.
Sperm whales are easily recognized by their massive heads and prominent rounded foreheads. They have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth. The name comes from the substance spermaceti, found in the animal's head.
The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale. Sperm whales grow up to about 15 to 18m. They can weight up 35 to 45 tons. Mature males are typically 30% to 50% longer, and three times as massive as females. The sperm whale can live for more than 70 years. Sperm whales are known to dive as deep as 1,000 meters in search of squids to eat, these giant mammals must hold their breath for up to 90 minutes on such dives.
Females and calves remain in tropical or subtropical waters all year long, and apparently practice communal childcare. Males migrate to higher latitudes, alone or in groups, and head back towards the equator to breed. Sperm whales are often spotted in groups (called pods) of some 15 to 20 animals. Pods include females and their young, while males may roam solo or move from group to group.
Sperms whales have few natural predators, since few are strong enough to successfully attack a healthy adult; orcas attack units and are capable of killing the calves. The number of sperm whales throughout the world is unknown, but is thought to be in the hundreds of thousands. The conservation outlook is brighter than for many other whales. They are protected practically worldwide, and commercial whaling has ceased.
More detailed information about Sperm Whales can be found here.
Alor Island, Indonesia
Alor is the last island furthest east and north in the East Nusa Tenggara province, more commonly know in Bahasa Indonesia as Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT. NTT as a province is most famous for Komodo Island and it’s aboriginal inhabitants the...
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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
Bimini lays 81km (53 miles) due east of Miami, just on the other side of the gulf stream. The close proximity to the United States made it the ideal spot for an offshore speakeasy during prohibition. One of the most popular shipwrecks...
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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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El Nido, Philippines
El Nido has been ranked one of the best beach and island destinations in the Philippines. The stunning beauty of the island is perfectly complimented by fantastic dive sites, which vary in intensity and style. El Nido is famed for its...
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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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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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Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya is a newly emerging tourism destination in northwestern Sri Lanka. Where diving here is just as sensational as the on land beauty. With minimal developments thus far, it is a stunning coastal escape. The main attraction in Kalpitiya, are the whales...
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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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Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is part of a cluster of islands including Delos, Rhenia and some rocky islets. Mykonos, already inhabited since the 5th millennium B.C. (prehistoric settlement of Ftelia), has shared with them a long and copious history with them. Its intense tourist and cosmopolitan activity,...
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Nassau, Bahamas
Turquoise water, soft powdery white sand beaches, world-class casinos, duty free shopping, and succulent seafood draw hundreds of thousands to Nassau, Bahamas every year. The Bahamian capital and tourist hot spot is located on New Providence Island, 290km (156 miles) southeast of Miami,...
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Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The reefs of the Raja Ampat are specifically referred to as ‘species factories’, replenishing other reef ecosystems by sweeping coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans via their strong currents. Raja Ampat is an archipelago of 1,500 islands, cays and shoals located...
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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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The Abacos, Bahamas
The Bahamas means “Shallow Seas” and this is no more evident than in the Abacos islands. Arranged along the eastern side of the little Bahamas bank, the Abacos islands cover over 263 square hectares (650 square miles) in the northern portion 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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Weligama, Sri Lanka
Weligama translates to mean “sandy village”, in reference to the town’s sand-swept bay. Located only 2.5 hours from the capital of Sri Lanka, this area is visited for its large number of nudibranches, pinnacles, blue whales, whale sharks and manta rays. The...
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