Giant Humpback Whales Migrations through Seychelles

With the South-East monsoon in full swing in the Seychelles, activities such as boating, charter fishing, diving, and snorkeling are not quite favorable for the tourists wanting to experience the best that Seychelles has to offer. On the other hand, the windy season also brings with it humpback whales.

The Humpback whales make their long and arduous annual migration from the cold Southern Waters of the Antarctic, which is also their winter feeding grounds, to the warm waters around the equator. Interestingly, humpback whales show high site fidelity, and Seychelles is lucky to be one of these common spots which they frequent. The humpback whales come to the tropics to give birth. There are many theories for their northward migration but still remains inconclusive to researchers. One hypothesis suggests that they use the tropics as refuge from killer whale predation of their calves. Another is that the calves benefit from thermoregulation being in warmer waters.

Normally, most sightings of humpbacks around the Seychelles occur around the Aldabra atoll and the Outer islands. The Aldabra team has had 23 sightings in July alone with the whales seen to be moving northwards. The team took advantage of a rare calm Sunday to dive along an adult female and her calf. They described the experience as overwhelming, thrilling and quite emotional.