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Why Whale Watching in Galapagos is a Bucket List Experience
The Galapagos Islands should be on everyone’s travel bucket list because, in addition to being the location of the events that gave rise to On the Origin of Species, visitors can witness the fantastic variety of whale species, including sperm and humpback whales, that call the Galapagos Marine Reserve home. Because of the process of ocean upwelling and the Humboldt Current’s seasonal presence, which sends chilly Antarctic waters northward to the Galapagos, the waters surrounding the islands are vibrant. These procedures provide great eating and breeding habitats for the marine reserve’s inhabitants.
A Brief Introduction to Galapagos Whales
Cetaceans may be divided into two basic categories: baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales are generally larger, such as the famous humpback whale, and are distinguished by their feeding method. Baleens feed using a filter-feeding system known as baleen, which they are named after. This structure consists of thick bristles that line the sides of their mouth (made of keratin, the same substance as human hair and nails), which allows them to filter water from their mouth and trap small animals such as fish and krill.
There are a variety of baleen whales in the Galapagos including Bryde’s whale, and the humpback, minke, and sei whales. By far the largest is the blue whale, which measures up to 100 feet in length and weighs around 200 tons (the equivalent of about 35 elephants), making it the heaviest animal ever to have lived; their tail alone measures up to 25 feet wide.
Conversely, toothed whales are more minor than baleen whales and, as their name implies, have teeth rather than baleen. One of the more well-known toothed whales in the Galapagos is the orca, also known as the killer whale. It can be identified by its huge dorsal fin, which can reach six feet, and its black-and-white coloring. The orca, which can weigh 11 tons, hunts marine creatures, including penguins, sea lions, and even other whales. The Pilot Whale, False Killer Whale, and other dolphin species are among the other toothed whale species in the Galapagos Archipelago.
Watch whales in their natural habitat in the Galapagos Islands!
The Role of Whales in Galapagos History
But it was the sperm whale, the enormous toothed whale and the most incredible ocean carnivore in the world, weighing up to 45 tons, that brought attention to the islands and made them famous worldwide (even before Darwin Finches). Because whales lack fur, a thick layer of fat under their skin helps them stay warm. During protracted migrations, this fat serves as an energy store in addition to trapping heat inside the animal.
However, fat became incredibly useful to humans until the 19th century when it was found to be used to manufacture oil in the 18th century. Due to the vast numbers of sperm whales that visit these seas, utilizing them as breeding grounds and traveling in pods of up to 20 animals, the Galapagos Islands became a central hub for whaling for over a century. Regretfully, sperm whale populations were severely decimated during this period and have never fully recovered.
Whale watching in Galapagos: When, Where, and How?
Although the islands are not particularly well-known as a site for whale watching, whale viewing is available year-round in the Galapagos due to the variety of whales that call the Galapagos Marine Reserve home. Since cetaceans migrate to these tropical latitudes at different periods of the year, most sightings are fortunate accidents. However, year-round residents of the Galapagos Marine Reserve include orcas and cetaceans like Bryde’s and Sperm whales. However, July through August is believed to be ideal for seeing whales on the islands since the seas are colder and more prosperous in nutrients, which draws migratory whales like humpbacks that migrate up from Antarctica.
Actually, because of upwelling brought on by the Cromwell Current, the most productive feeding grounds are in the western waters, especially between Isabela and Fernandina; that being said, whales and other cetaceans can be spotted throughout the islands, depending on the species and season. It’s conceivable that whales and dolphins will be spotted by Galapagos cruise ships at any time; that being said, nothing about cetaceans in the Galapagos is genuinely very particular. If you’re excited about whale watching in the Galapagos, the best recommendation is to go on an excursion cruise that stops at many different islands and spend all of your time up on deck, taking in the view.
