This is one of my favourite shots. Humpbacks are massive but so graceful and quick to disappear in a cloud of bubbles. Which is why you treasure every second you’re at their side.

One of the larger whale species, adults range in length from 12m to about 16m and weigh about 36 tonnes. Their behaviour is not fully understood to humans yet, like their breaching, and the males’ complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 km each year. They feed in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters, like here in Tonga, to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the bubble net technique.

Wantok Photography

Break on Through

Break on Through

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