Whales

In the waters around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve in season you can see Humpback, Fin, Minke, and Pilot Whales, as well as Porpoises and Dolphins, up close and personal. The Whales generally start returning to Newfoundland waters in early Spring. There are an estimated 4000 - 5000 Humpback whales passing through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve feeding grounds on their journey North. Each whale eats up to 1.5 tons of food daily. In just a few weeks a Humpback eats over a years supply of food. Once they go South they generally don't eat, living off the food they carry in the fat pantry that encases their bodies. They feed on krill and small fish such as capelin.

An adult male Humpback can measure anywhere from 40-48 feet, females 45-50 feet, and weigh 25-40 tons.

An adult male Minke averages about 26-31 feet, females 27-33 feet, and weigh about 10 tons.

An adult male Fin measures up to 78 feet with the female just slightly larger, and weigh between 50-70 tons.

It is quite an awesome sight to watch the playful antics of the acrobatic Humpbacks as they throw themselves completely out of the water, slap their flippers or huge tails on the water, or watch their tails come completely out of the water as they dive below the surface.