Whales in Winter here in Raro

Humpback Whales in Rarotonga 

Humpback whales migrate through the waters of the Cook Islands and Rarotonga, making the islands a popular destination for whale-watching enthusiasts. Rarotonga offers a prime location for observing these magnificent creatures during their annual migration.

Humpback whales are known for their impressive acrobatic displays, including breaching, tail slapping, and fin waving. They migrate long distances each year, travelling from their feeding grounds in the colder waters of Antarctica to their breeding and calving areas in warmer tropical waters. The Cook Islands fall within the migration path of Humpback whales, making them a frequent sight in the region during their migration season.

The exact timing of the Humpback whale migration to Rarotonga can vary, but generally, these whales are most commonly observed in the region from around July to October. During this period, you have a good chance of witnessing these magnificent creatures as they pass through the Cook Islands' waters. 

If you are snorkelling or diving outside the lagoon, you can also hear the amazing whale song that travels clearly through the clear Pacific Ocean. Talk to Simon about safe places where this can be done. Click the link below of a recent underwater video we took that captured the whale communication clearly. 

Listen to the Humpback Whale song in Rarotonga (click here for video link)

While snorkelling, we could hear Humpback Whale communication & song. Photo by Muri Retreat

For more information, visit these sites:

www.whaleresearch.org

www.charolottepiho.com 

www.cookislandstravel.com 

www.tiscookislands.org 

Photo by Charlotte Piho 
Map from Cook Islands Travel

Posted by Simon Drewery on August 10, 2023

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