When you go on a whale watching tour, you’ll see whales interacting with each other and the water. While it may seem like they’re playing, most of the actions you’ll observe have purposes behind them. Here’s what you need to know before your next nature adventure.

What Behaviors Will You See When Whale Watching?

1. Breaching

This is the name for a whale launching its body out of the water. While sometimes done as play, its primary purpose is to communicate with whales that are far away. Whale song only reaches so far underwater, but the loud boom produced when their whole body hits the surface travels over a longer distance.

2. Tail & Pec Slapping

Tail slapping refers to a whale lifting the back of its body and smacking its tail flat against the water’s surface, and pec slapping refers to using its pectoral fins to do the same. Scientists believe that these actions are feeding tactics that force small fish away from the surface where they’re more accessible for the whales to eat. They may also help whales communicate with each other.

3. Blowing

Blowing happens when whales push collected mucus and air out of their lungs through the outlet on their back, called a blowhole. The fluid that gets released is warm, so it condensates when it hits cooler air, resulting in what looks like a spout of water.

4. Spyhopping

Humpback whales lift their heads vertically out of the water in an action called spyhopping. It enables them to see what’s going on around them above the surface, which is useful for detecting predators and investigating disturbances around them.

Are you searching for an exciting whale watching experience? EŌ Wai’anae Tours in Honolulu, HI, offers catamaran boat tours to see whales, dolphins, and other sea life in breathtaking proximity. Their catamaran boat tours include snorkeling, paddleboarding, and free lunch, with a guarantee that you’ll see dolphins. Learn more about their tours online, and book your spot by calling (808) 699-5910.