Humpback whales in Guadeloupe: Why do humpback whales choose the warm waters of Guadeloupe?
- coraliebrossardpro
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Humpback whale watching in Guadeloupe from December to May every year
Guadeloupe, the pearl of the Caribbean, is much more than a vacationer's paradise.
Its warm waters attract exceptional visitors every year: humpback whales.
These giants of the sea travel thousands of kilometers from the cold waters of the North Atlantic to reach our archipelago.
Why this incredible journey?
What mysteries lie behind the age-old migrations of humpback whales?
Here are the reasons why humpback whales take up residence in Guadeloupe's waters from December to May every year.
Come and meet the humpback whales in Guadeloupe with Soleil Excusions and leave with unforgettable memories.
The role of the AGOA Sanctuary for humpback whales in Guadeloupe
Humpback whales find a unique refuge in Guadeloupe, thanks in particular to the AGOA sanctuary. This protected area, dedicated to the preservation of marine mammals, extends over the entire waters of the French West Indies.
The AGOA sanctuary imposes strict rules to ensure respectful, non-intrusive interactions with cetaceans.
At Soleil Excursions, we strictly adhere to these guidelines, maintaining safe approach distances to preserve the well-being of the animals in their natural habitat, while offering an authentic and responsible experience to our passengers.
Why is this important? Because tranquil waters are essential at key stages in the life cycle of humpback whales: reproduction, calving and nursing.
The warm waters of Guadeloupe: A cradle for whale calves
One of the main reasons why humpback whales migrate to Guadeloupe is the temperature of its waters.
Unlike the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, the Caribbean offers ideal temperatures, between 25 and 28°C, for the survival of newborns.
A fascinating fact: Whale calves are born without the protective layer of blubber, known as “blubber”, that enables them to withstand the cold. The tropical waters of Guadeloupe, for example, play a crucial role in their first months of life, providing a safe and comfortable environment in which to grow.
Mothers, for their part, are incredibly attentive, staying close to their young to protect them from potential predators.
In Guadeloupe, it is not uncommon to observe a humpback whale and its calf swimming in perfect synchronization, a moving scene that remains engraved in the memory of those who witness it.
Guadeloupe: A breeding ground for humpback whales
As well as giving birth, humpback whales use Guadeloupe's waters as a meeting place to reproduce. The males take advantage of the calm conditions to sing their powerful, hypnotic melodies, veritable calls to seduction.
These songs, specific to each individual, can last up to 20 minutes and are repeated for hours.
Fun fact : male songs are not only used to attract females, but also to establish a hierarchy among suitors. The more complex and intense the song, the more impressive it is.
Exceptional marine biodiversity in Guadeloupe: playground for humpback whales and other cetaceans.
Although humpback whales do not feed during their stay in the Caribbean (they live off their reserves accumulated in the cold waters), the richness of Guadeloupe's seabed is a major asset for them.
This biodiversity also attracts other cetacean species, such as dolphins and pilot whales, making the archipelago a veritable marine oasis.
What this means : Guadeloupe is a balanced ecosystem in which each species plays an essential role.
Protecting this biodiversity also guarantees the safety and tranquility of the humpback whales.
Watching majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat is a rare and unforgettable experience, worthy of an extraordinary show.
Humpback whales: a thousand-year-old migration fraught with mystery
Every year, humpback whales travel between 5,000 and 7,000 kilometers to reach the Caribbean from the cold waters of the North Atlantic. This extraordinary journey, which lasts several weeks, is guided by a fascinating migratory instinct that scientists are still trying to understand.
In Guadeloupe, these journeys culminate in an unforgettable spectacle: the spectacular leaps of the whales, their “blows” visible from hundreds of meters away, and their unique social behaviors such as spyhopping or lobtailing (when a whale lifts its tail fin out of the water and brings it down with great force on the surface, it creates a spectacular and sonorous impact).
Every sighting of humpback whales in Guadeloupe is a moving reminder of the strength and intelligence of these giants of the sea.
A bridge between the oceans: Valérie's eye and René Heuzey's expertise
At Soleil Excursions, we're lucky to have an exceptional photographer on board: Valérie Gueit. With her lens, she captures the magical moments of our encounters at sea, immortalizing humpback whales in all their splendor.
Her passion and talent enable us to better understand these giants of the seas, thanks to shots that reveal fascinating details, such as the unique patterns on their tail fins, a veritable “fingerprint”.
Recently (2024) Valérie had the opportunity to accompany renowned underwater filmmaker René Heuzey to Polynesia, where she observed other whale species in their natural habitat. Although these marine mammals are not the same as those in Guadeloupe, the experience enriched our understanding of cetacean migrations and behavior around the world.
The humpback whales seen in Polynesia and those in Guadeloupe's waters both belong to the same species, but their migrations differ due to their distinct feeding and breeding grounds.
In Guadeloupe, humpback whales come from the cold waters of the North Atlantic, where they feed mainly on krill, to breed and give birth in our warm, safe waters.
In Polynesia, humpback whales follow a migratory route from the polar regions of the South Pacific to the tropical waters around Tahiti and its islands. These migrations are influenced by regional biotopes, offering ideal temperatures and safety for calves, similar to what we observe in Guadeloupe. This geographical specificity enables us to study how different humpback whale populations adapt to their respective environments.
It also demonstrates the importance of marine sanctuaries and conservation initiatives in both regions, to protect these giants of the seas from the growing threats posed by climate change and dwindling food resources.
These studies are a fascinating example of the connection between our waters and those on the other side of the world, reinforced by the shared passion of experts like René Heuzey, who is working to better understand these global migrations.
A strong symbol: During his expeditions, René proudly wore the Soleil Excursions T-shirt, taking a piece of Guadeloupe with him to the farthest reaches of the Pacific Ocean.
This simple yet powerful gesture underlines the deep bonds between enthusiasts, uniting those who work to protect and celebrate marine wonders.
These experiences remind us that, from coast to coast, whales weave an invisible thread between human beings. Whether in Polynesia or Guadeloupe, their presence inspires respect, humility and a deep sense of connection with nature.
Humpback whales: a treasure to be preserved
Humpback whales don't choose Guadeloupe's warm waters by chance. Every migration, every birth, every song testifies to the importance of this unique ecosystem.
For years now, we at Soleil Excursions have been privileged to witness these magical moments.
But beyond the spectacle, these encounters are a call to responsibility. Protecting humpback whales and their habitat means ensuring that these giants of the sea will continue to choose Guadeloupe as their refuge, generation after generation.
Photo credits by Valérie Gueit : Photos taken with a zoom lens in compliance with Agoa Sanctuary protocols and approach distances, and in Polynesia with René Heuzey : Un océan de vie.
- Source : Soleil Excursions
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