Home / Environment / 304 Humpbacks Spotted: A Whale Comeback Story
304 Humpbacks Spotted: A Whale Comeback Story
21 Apr
Summary
- Photographers documented 304 humpback whales, a record for a single day.
- This sighting marks a significant return for humpback whales.
- The whales were observed in super-groups off South Africa's coast.
In December 2025, photographers Monique and Chris Fallows documented an unprecedented 304 humpback whales in a single day, the highest number ever recorded. These observations were made off the west coast of South Africa. The Fallows captured images of humpback "super-groups," a phenomenon where large numbers of these whales gather.
The sheer scale of the gathering was immense, with their exhalations creating a visual spectacle akin to a "Manhattan skyscraper skyline." Humpbacks surface to breathe, expelling air from their lungs with great force, creating blows that can rise significantly into the air. These sightings represent a powerful testament to the successful recovery of humpback whale populations, which were once critically endangered.
