SPY HOPPING: WHEN WHALES WATCH US
Whale watching is all about humans heading out into the wild to observe these incredible giants of the sea. But sometimes, the roles are reversed. Across different whale species, there is a rare and fascinating behavior called spy hopping. A whale rises vertically in the water, lifting its head above the surface as if to take a closer look. In that moment, it feels as though they are just as curious about us as we are about them.
Among humpback whales, spy hopping is especially magical. While they are often seen breaching, tail slapping, or feeding in bubble nets, a spy hop feels different. It’s not a display of strength or a way of feeding, it’s something more personal, almost interactive.
In this rare encounter, a humpback lingered at the surface for several minutes, circling and lifting its head as if carefully watching our boat. Were they curious about our presence? We can’t be sure, but experiences like these remind us that sometimes, whale watching becomes human watching.
Photo Credit: Reynir Hilmarsson (Captain-Maintenance)
