A rare and special moment when a humpback whale, along with a group of other whales, decided to swim towards me and attempt a gentle, smooth touch with its long pectoral fin. From its gaze, it seemed to communicate, giving me the time to create a bit more space while still allowing me to capture the moment.
The quieter we are underwater, the more curious they get, and when they feel comfortable enough to get close, magic happens. The whale on the left in the background was singing, only males sing, and it’s quite rare for them to sing while on the move and close to other males. Many mysteries of these majestic beings remain unrevealed...
Mo’orea — French Polynesia
Babies and juveniles are the most playful…
…but sometimes moms and adults too.
Humpback whales are extremely expressive in their body language, which is likely one of the reasons we resonate so deeply with them
Every year, humpback whales embark on a remarkable journey, migrating thousands of miles from Antarctica to the warm and calm waters of French Polynesia. This annual migration is a vital chapter in their lives.
Here, mothers give birth to their calves, nurturing and protecting them while forming bonds that will guide the young through their early months. Meanwhile, males perform elaborate courtship shows and sing hauntingly beautiful songs that echo through the reefs, a call to attract potential mates.
All the photos of the cetaceans were taken under a special authorisation from French Polynesia Government ARRETE 4645/VP/DIREN in collaboration with Ninamu Oceanic Tour.
