Humpback Whale Facts In Cabo San Lucas
Today I want to invite you to visit one of the most famous ports in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas. Known worldwide as the Marlin Capital and home of the Arch, it is the point where the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean meet. After the arrival of the Spanish empire, Cabo San Lucas established itself as a fishing village with a small population, but over time its great diversity attracted more and more fishermen and tourists who love nature and privacy.
Today, we can find in Cabo San Lucas a wide variety of activities and tourist facilities suitable for all budgets. Here luxury and pleasure abound. It has a first-class marina and the world's largest fishing tournament. Among the activities you can do you will find fishing, golf, diving, snorkeling, whale watching, kayaking, resorts and spas, as well as multiple options for partying and dancing until dawn. But what I really want to share with you about this port is the wonder of marine life. Have you ever heard the song of a whale? or witnessed the blowing of his blowhole? Whether your answer is negative or affirmative, this is the perfect occasion to do so, since it is during winter that these majestic beings give us their imposing and sweet presence. Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas is an activity available every year from December 15 to April 15.
And what types of whales can you appreciate in the whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas? You can find gray whales, blue whales, sperm whales, fin whales, pilot whales, Bryde's whales and orcas, although the species that is regularly seen is the fascinating humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), this is a cosmopolitan species as it is found in all oceans, with migration routes of thousands of kilometers often taking them very close to shore, but also travels in deep waters during migration. Found in coastal or continental shelf waters at high latitudes in summer where it feeds in the cold, productive waters of the Southern Ocean. In winter, migrates to breeding and nursery areas in tropical and subtropical waters.
Humpback whales move in small social groups of 2 to 15 individuals. More than any other whale, it is used to performing acrobatics, jumping out of the water, spinning in the air and, of course, hitting the surface with its caudal fin. It is a curious animal that likes to get close to the boats that surround it. It is also known for its magical song, which is its means of communication, and as a curious fact, the male whale has recorded the longest melody in the animal world, no less than 24 hours! Its breath reaches 3 meters in height, and these beautiful animals measure up to 16 meters in length and weigh up to 30 tons. They live an average of 50 years, although specimens have been known to reach a century of life.
It feeds on the surface mainly on plankton, krill and fish. Its only predators are the killer whale and the sharks, although sharks only attack dying whales or feed on them after they have died. In addition, it is worth mentioning the threats that put it at risk, such as global warming, acoustic disturbance, contamination by heavy metals, direct hunting, habitat loss due to human activity and ship collisions. That is why various conservation actions have been implemented internationally, currently the population is estimated at 80,000 specimens globally. Ecotourism activities such as whale watching in Cabo San Lucas help preserve healthy habitat for these and other species.
During whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas it is common to see other species such as mantas, sharks, dolphins, turtles and killer whales! Do not hesitate to book this beautiful activity with us, remember that it is seasonal! And as always, I invite you to protect our ecosystems by avoiding using products that can contaminate our Earth. From everyone at Gluup, we wish you a happy 2023!
By Mariana Guevara
