Humpback Whale - Glacier Bay

A magnificent sight to behold, a humpback breaching the water surface.

Photo © Sean Neilson 2014

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Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae ~ Seeing a humpback whale in Glacier Bay is an unforgettable experience for many visitors. The true giants of Glacier Bay's waters, these endangered animals are 40-50 feet (12-16 m) long and weigh over 35 tons (32,000 kg). The humpback is a baleen whale that migrates seasonally. Most Glacier Bay whales swim to Hawaii each winter to mate and give birth, a 2,500-mile (4,000 km) journey that takes about a month each way. These whales do not eat while they are wintering in the tropics. All spring, summer, and fall in Alaska, they gorge themselves on high-calorie small schooling fish such as capelin and herring.
Humpback whales can be found across Glacier Bay, keep an eye out for whale blows, spouts of water expelled when whales surface for air.

Read more about humpback whales on our website.

Learn about Glacier Bay's efforts to study these whales as they migrate here each summer.

*Location note: The location chosen for this humpback whale is for illustrative purposes only. Humpback whales can be found throughout Glacier Bay in the summer! Stay wildlife aware, and never approach wild animals.