Diving or snorkeling with a variety of cetacean species is one thing most of us want to do at some point; and if you’ve done it before, you no doubt dream of the next time you find yourself in the company of these magnificent marine mammals. One of the world’s more abundant species of whale, the Minke, is also friendly and relatively easy to dive with in some places. Let’s learn a bit about these little whales and find out how to enjoy a spectacular one on one encounter.
Minke Whale Facts
The second smallest baleen whale species, Minke whales are only larger than Pygmy Right Whales. Females average 7.4 meters, slightly larger than males, which average 6.9 meters long. On average, these whales weigh between 4 and 5 tons. Larger individuals have been recorded, with some over 10 meters and weighing around 14 tons, however these outsized examples are rare.
Blackish grey in color, usually with a lighter colored belly and pronounced throat grooves, Minke whales have a short dorsal fin and long flippers; on Northern or Common Minke Whales, the flippers have distinguishing white bands. They are equipped with between 240 to 360 baleen plates, feeding on a variety of different species. In amazing lunging displays, they speed through schools of small fish, sometimes leaping into the air as they approach schools from below. Interestingly, seabirds and Minke whales have formed hunting alliances, in which auks such as razorbills and guillemots force fish into tight bait balls that make it easy for the whales to get a good mouthful of fish with little effort.
Capable of making deep dives that can last for as long as twenty minutes, Minke Whales breathe each time they surface, usually inhaling between three and five times per surface session. Found throughout the world, from the tropics all the way to the poles, the whales’ habits vary depending on where they are located.
Unlike many other whale species, Minke whales are listed as a species of “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. They are hunted on a limited basis in Norway, Iceland, and Greenland, and the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research takes approximately 400 whales from Antarctic waters each year in order to study them; once studies are completed, the whale meat is consumed, primarily in restaurant settings. Hunting regulations are very strict, with a focus on sustainability; in addition, consumer demand for whale based products has plummeted in the last several decades, particularly since we now understand so much more about the important role these animals play in the health of the oceans and the planet as a whole.
Although they are abundant, Minke whales do need to be carefully conserved. They do not reach sexual maturity until the age of between 5 and 8 years, and gestation takes 10 to 12 months. Calves rely on their mothers for milk until they are about 6 months old, and unlike some other cetaceans, head out on their own shortly after being weaned. The whales stick together at summer feeding grounds, but it is not unusual to find juvenile Minkes miles away from adults.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Minke Whales mate between June and December, with the height of the season being between August and September. The majority of calves are born between July and August in this area.
In the North Atlantic, the mating season is at its height during February, though the whales will mate between December and May. Peak calving season here takes place during the month of December.
In the North Pacific, two separate mating seasons seem to occur, one between August and September, and another between February and March. Calving occurs in December and January, with a second round occurring between June and July.
Minke whales have an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years, although some individuals have been recorded as being more than sixty years old.
Minke Whale Encounters
Most encounters with these curious, friendly whales take place from boats, as Minke Whales tend to prefer to stay some distance from shore. They frequently spy hop, looking straight up out of the water at visitors who have come to see them; and they often rest next to boats, sometimes extending a flipper up as though waving a cheerful hello. They show off, swimming upside down and flashing their white bellies, curiously passing around and under vessels. It seems they like to watch humans as much as we enjoy watching them!
Normally, younger whales are much more inquisitive than older ones are; and some Minke whales have clearly had negative encounters with boats or people before and will keep their distance.
One of the best places to interact with Minkes includes Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, where Dwarf Minke Whales can be found in June and July. On this particular snorkeling expedition, which takes place out of Port Douglas, visitors enter the water after whales have been spotted, and simply wait, hanging onto a line. Whales approach once they feel comfortable, sometimes coming to within inches of snorkelers. On occasion, visitors have enjoyed close up encounters with Humpback whales here as well. Only a few companies in the area hold permits for this activity; making reservations well in advance is recommended as space on a charter is limited.
Other places to view and interact with Minke whales include Greenland and Iceland, Norway, the Arctic and Antarctic, Ireland, Scotland, and along the east coast of Canada, as well as off the US east coast. They are frequently encountered in British Columbia and Washington state, particularly in the strait of Juan de Fuca, and around Vancouver. Further south, they are seen in Oregon and California, with exceptional encounters taking place around Catalina and the Channel Islands. One notable encounter involved a stand-up paddle surfer who was making her way from Catalina to Dana Point in 2010; a Minke whale stayed nearby for two hours, rolling, blowing bubbles, and swimming alongside.
If you have the good fortune to encounter a Minke whale or even a group of Minkes while snorkeling or diving, remember to allow the animal to set the terms for the encounter. Avoid making sudden movements; simply relax and enjoy the experience. These beautiful creatures are happy to welcome us into their world, so long as we give them the respect they deserve.