Whale Watching 101: A Deep Dive into Anatomy, Biology and Behavior of These Incredible Ocean Giants
Published on 2/25/25
Written by Jessica Colla
Embark on your next whale watching adventure with our ultimate guide to whale anatomy, biology, and observable behavior—designed to elevate your whale watching experience by revealing the secrets behind their spectacular surface displays! Transform your next outing into an unforgettable journey with Whale Watching 101!
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Whale watching is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences nature has to offer! As someone with several years of experience working on hundreds of whale watching excursions across three different countries (and participated in many more), I can confidently say no two trips are ever the same.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a variety of whale species and different behaviors in different parts of the world, from humpbacks off the coast of Australia to orcas in the Pacific Northwest. Understanding the anatomy and behaviors of these gentle giants can transform your experience from simple sightseeing into a truly unforgettable (and educational) adventure!
Anatomy of a Whale: Marvels of Adaptation
Now let’s dive into the anatomy and behaviors of whales so you can make the most of your whale-watching adventure.
1. Baleen vs. Toothed Whales
Whales are divided into two main groups: baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales, like the giant humpbacks and blue whales, filter-feed small prey like krill and plankton using long, comb-like structures that hang down from the roof of their mouth called baleen plates. Also known as Mysticete, meaning “bearded whale”, refers to their beard-like appearance.
On the other hand, toothed whales, like orcas and sperm whales, are active predators with large pointed teeth, which are ideal for catching and biting single prey like fish, squid or marine mammals. Their latin name is Odontocete, meaning tooth (think “dent-ist” or “ortho-dont-ist”).
2. Blowhole
Located on top of the head, the blowhole (like the whales nostrils) allows whales to breathe efficiently at the surface, without having to lift their mouths out of the water. Baleen whales have two distinct blowholes, similar to the two nostril holes on a human. Alternatively, Toothed whales only have one blowhole, because the other “hole” has long since evolved into another incredible adaptation - the echolocation chamber on the forehead called a “melon!”
3. Pectoral Fins
The pectoral fins (essentially, the whale’s “arms”) are used for steering and stabilization. They are also used in acrobatic surface displays like “pec-slapping.” Humpback whales have the longest pectoral fins of any whale species; over 15 ft long! Their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, which literally means “Long-armed New Englander.”
DID YOU KNOW? The shape of a whale’s pectoral fin was inspiration for innovative technology like the propellors of wind turbines.
4. Flukes (Tail)
The flukes (I.E. - both sides of the whale’s tail) propel the whale through the water and are often visible at the surface when the whale arches for a dive. In many whale species, the underside of a fluke is unique to each individual, just like a fingerprint!
INSIDER TIP: Detailed images of a whale’s fluke pattern can be submitted to community science projects to track individuals and perform population surveys.
5. Caudal Peduncle
The muscular area connecting the whale’s body to the tail, known as the caudal peduncle, provides the power behind diving and breaching. These caudal peduncle muscles are the STRONGEST in the animal kingdom! Even the largest whales require only a few pumps of the tail to completely launch themselves out of the water!
6. Throat Pleats
In baleen whales, expandable throat pleats on the underside of the individual allow them to take in massive amounts of water and prey during feeding. Some whale species can encompass more than an olympic-sized swimming pool of water when the throat pleats are fully extended.
7. Tubercles and Sensory Hairs
Remember … whales are mammals! And a key characteristic of ALL mammals is hair!
In smaller whale species (including dolphins and porpoises), the rostrum (snout) has a row of sensory hair called a vibrissae—essentially whiskers! Larger whale species like humpbacks have clusters of tubercles, or small bumps roughly the size of a baseball. Each tubercle houses a vibrissae too, almost like an enlarged hair follicle. These hairs enhance their ability to detect changes in water currents and prey movement in low visibility.
DID YOU KNOW? All whale hairs are blonde!
8. Melon
Found in toothed whales like orcas and sperm whales, the melon is a fatty organ connected to the nasal passages on the “forehead” and is used for echolocation. The melon emits a series of high-frequency sound pulses that travel through water, bounce off objects, and return as echoes, allowing whales to determine the location, size, and shape of objects around them for navigation and hunting. Scientists believes echolocation also helps whales to navigate in low visibility and communicate with each other.
9. Blubber
This thick layer of fat insulates whales in cold waters and serves as an energy reserve during long migrations and nursing calves. In addition to these vital functions, blubber also contributes to buoyancy control and helping whales maintain a streamlined shape for efficient swimming. This lipid-rich tissue stores essential nutrients and acts as a buffer against environmental toxins.
10. Dorsal Fin
The dorsal fin, located along the whale’s back, plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and aiding in navigation through turbulent waters. Before diving, most species arch their back and bring their dorsal fin out of the water In some species, the shape and size of the dorsal fin also serve as key identifiers for individuals, assisting researchers in monitoring and tracking their movements.
11. Eyes
Although relatively small compared to their massive bodies, whale eyes are well-adapted for underwater vision, allowing them to detect subtle movements of prey (or predators!) and contrasts in low-light conditions. Combined with echolocation (in toothed whales), their vision helps whales navigate complex marine environments and locate prey efficiently.
Whale surface Behaviors
1. Blow (Spouting)
A visible plume of “water spray” ejected into the air during the strong exhale from the blowhole after surfacing. Contrary to the common misconception that whale spouts are simply cold, condensed moisture from within a whale's lungs, they are actually composed of roughly one cup of highly pressurized water vapor derived from seawater, which accumulates over the blowhole depression as the whale surfaces. Biologists can identify a whale species based on the shape, size, height and direction of a whale’s blow from a distance?
DID YOU KNOW? Biologists can identify a whale species based on the shape, size, height and direction of a whale’s blow from a distance?
2. Round-Out Dive
The whale arches its back before diving, commonly indicating a shallower dive. When you are on a whale watching tour and see a round-out dive, they will probably be back shortly (> 10 minutes), so stick around!
3. Fluke-Up Dive
The tail flukes lift high out of the water as the whale dives, often a precursor to a deeper dive (OR a big breach!). During whale watching tours, we call this “The End” or the “bittersweet photo op” because the whales can remain underwater for quite some time! (15-30 minutes)
DID YOU KNOW? Humpback whales longest recorded dive was 46 minutes long, the blue whale can hold their breath for 90 minutes and the Cuvier’s Beaked Whale can be down for a whopping 3.5 hours!!!
4. Fluke (Tail) Slap
Whales slap their tail flukes on the water’s surface, potentially as a form of long-distance communication, to display emotions or to stun prey. This behavior can be performed dorsal (back) or ventral (belly) side up.
5. Pectoral Fin Slap
Whales slap their large fins against the water, a behavior often interpreted as playful or communicative. Like Fluke Slaps, this behavior can be displayed on either the dorsal or ventral side.
6. Peduncle/Tail Throw
A powerful display where the whale hurls its tail sideways out of the water and splashes back down. This behavior is often seen in aggressive or energetic in different contexts. For example, this behavior is sometimes seen between a cow (female) and a bull (male) during breeding season.
7. Spy Hop
While positioned vertically, the whale lifts its head out of the water up past it’s eyes to look around above the surface. This behavior is commonly seen in orcas to orient themselves amongst familiar geography in low-visibility waters.
8. Head Slaps
These strikes of the whale’s chin or head against the water’s surface. This behavior is thought to serve multiple purposes, from communication and social signaling to deterring potential threats or even dislodging parasites.
9. Breach
The fan favorite! A dramatic leap out of the water (partially or completely), followed by a splash. Breaching may serve multiple purposes, from long-distance communication to parasite removal—or simply play!
10. Logging or Milling
Resting at the surface, appearing like a floating log or swimming slowly without any intended direction. Although a simpler behavior to observe during a whale watch, resting is essential for whales to conserve energy between dives, hunts or breeding.
11. Trumpeting
A loud sound sometimes made during exhalation, often indicating excitement or stress. This is a common behavior to observe (and hear!) during breeding season.
12. Singing & Communication
Male humpbacks sing elaborate songs, often while floating vertically with their pectoral fins outstretched. This behavior is most common in breeding grounds. Orcas have a complex system of communication, including chirps, clicks and whistles.
Group Whale Behaviors
1. Competition Groups
A dynamic pod of males vying for a single female during breeding season. These groups can display aggressive behaviors both above and below the surface, such as peduncle throws, breaches and charging. In some instances, some males will even body slam each other, drawing blood and breaking ribs.
2. Bubble Screening
During breeding season, whales sometimes blow bubbles by exhaling while underwater, releasing a “screen” of bubbles towards the surface. This tactic can be used by a male to obscure a potential mate from competitors or by a cow hiding her calf from aggressive suitors.
3. Bubble Net Feeding
In feeding grounds, certain populations of humpback whales work together to create a bubble "net" that corrals small fish into a tight ball. The whales below then lunge to the surface with their mouths open to engulf the prey.
4. Cow and Calf Interactions
In breeding grounds, mothers and calves exhibit unique behaviors like mimicry and nursing. Calves often display curiosity, exploring their surroundings (even whale watching boats!) and learning social behaviors essential for strength and survival.
setting realistic expectations for your upcoming whale watch
Whales are wild animals, which means they don’t follow a script—that’s what makes watching them so magical! Having been on hundreds of whale watches and seen thousands of whales and other marine life throughout my career, I can confidently say that no two trips are the same … EVER. Each experience is unique, and that unpredictability is a big part of the adventure.
The awe-inspiring scenes in marketing materials or ocean documentaries are often the best, most dramatic moments captured after countless hours of filming. In the wild, whale behavior can vary greatly in both frequency, intensity and duration—so patience is key. While you may witness breaching, tail-slapping, or other spectacular behaviors, there’s also a chance your trip could involve quieter moments, like watching a mother and calf slowly swim together, observing a whale rest at the surface, or spotting spouts on the horizon. Both experiences are common and normal.
PRO-TIP: Use this knowledge to better appreciate the surface behaviors you DO see, but DEFINITELY DON’T use this article as a checklist of expectations. Nothing breaks my heart more than someone’s “bad experience” because they expected something more dramatic!
HAPPY WHALE WATCHING!
Understanding whale anatomy and surface behaviors enhances the magic of any whale-watching experience, transforming the trip into an educational adventure! Whether you're spotting a humpback's majestic breach, marveling at a spy-hopping orca, or observing a peaceful grey whale calf swimming alongside its mother, knowing what to look for makes every moment more meaningful.
For tips on where to go, what to expect, and how to prepare for winter whale watching, check out our blog: "Winter Whale Watching: Where to Go, What to Expect, & How to Prepare."
What behavior would you be the most excited to see on your next whale watching adventure?? Let us know in the comments below!
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Get ready for an ultimate whale watching adventure! Explore fascinating anatomy, biology, and captivating surface displays you won’t want to miss! Enhance your once-in-a-lifetime experience with professional insights from a marine biologist to better understand the meaning behind your observations. Dive into an ocean of wonder—read more now!