Humpback Whales bid farewell to the Riviera Nayarit and its tourists, to start their migration back to polar waters, where they will enjoy the summer.
The Humpback Whales have become one of the most popular attractions in the region. For those who wish to venture out to meet these creatures; a display of acrobatic jumps and baby whales swimming along their mothers awaits you. It is an experience unlike any other.
Riviera Nayarit receives a large number of tourists looking forward to meet the Humpback Whales. For them, the guided tours offer a great opportunity to get a closer look on these majestic animals. These tours are duly regulated in order to keep a record of the whales, promote ecotourism and educate the public about conservation programs.
According to the ECOBAC (Association of Ecology and Conservation of Whales), Humpback Whales can reach up to 15 to 19 meters long and weigh between 25 and 40 tonnes. These large mammals live during the summer in the Polar Regions, in the north of the Pacific Ocean. Every year, they migrate to tropical waters, traveling more than 15 thousand miles, like the Bahia de Banderas; where they will stay from December to March.
Why do the Humpback Whales visit us?
When migrating south, the Humpback Whale’s priority is mating. The females will try to get pregnant as soon as possible, which gives place to the impressive jumps so characteristic of this agile species. The mating also offers the opportunity to hear the songs chanted by the males; one of the most beautiful sounds of nature and the strongest produced by any animal.
After an 11 months of pregnancy, the Humpback Whales return to the same place to give birth to their offspring. Due to its warm waters, the Bay offers the ideal habitat for baby whales, which will spend the first 4 months of their lives learning the basic skills in the company of their mothers. This is an experience as emotional as it is beautiful, as long as you maintain a safe distance.