On the ferry ride back to Ventura Harbor from Santa Cruz Island, I got to see two humpback whales. All the birds flying around indicate a feeding circle. Humpback whales migrate through here on their way down to the Baha Peninsula. Researchers use the underside of the tales as a fingerprint to identify them.
The spectacular humpback whale, that performs acrobatic leaps, is common within the Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary boundaries. Generally, the humpback whale can be seen from mid-May to mid-September on whale watching boats servicing the public in the vicinity.
Quick and Cool Facts
- Humpback whales produce the most diverse range of sounds known for any whale and some of the longest and most varied sounds of any animal in the world.
- The estimated population on the United States west coast is estimated at about 597 individuals. (2010 review by Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary).
- Some humpback whales make a round trip journey of 10,000 miles.
- The humpback whale gets its name from fact that the dorsal fin sits on a large “hump” on the back, which is noticeable when the whale arches its back and dives.
- They are also seen swimming on their backs with both flippers in the air.
- Humpback whales are slow swimmers compared to other whales. They can reach up to 16 miles per hour, but average only 2-9 miles per hour.
