With a surge of humpback whale sightings in January and February, and World Whale Day on Sunday 16th February, let’s take a closer look at some of the incredible whale species that visit our waters.

Whales are some of the most majestic and awe-inspiring creatures on Earth. And we have more in common than you might think. Just like us, they’re mammals, meaning they breathe air and nurse their young with milk. Some species even display culture and emotion - such as orcas seen wearing salmon as “hats” or whales appearing to grieve for family members. Highly intelligent, they use clicks and sounds to communicate, navigate, and hunt. But these incredible animals face serious threats, including vehicle collisions, overfishing, and pollution.

Alexandra Bulgakova, our Seasearch Data Analyst said: “World Whale Day serves as a timely reminder of the incredible role whales play in maintaining the health of our ocean.