We often see Humpback Whales performing “Spy Hops”. Spy hopping is when the whale rises in a vertical movement straight up out of the water head first.
Humpback whales spy hop to get a better view of where they are or to look at the people on a whale watching vessel. Whale Watch AustraliaThey really do like to look at us as much as we like to look at them. A spy hop right in front of Imagine is a wonderful experience.
It is a special moment that you get to look at a Humpback Whale while it is looking at you.Humpback whales have very good vision so most spy hops don’t bring the whales eye out of the water but they are looking at you from underneath the water. In clear water the whales body is also visible underneath the water so the whale’s head will slowly rise above the water, sometimes to a great height, it will hold that position and then slowly sink back below the water.
The whale is able to hold it’s position above the water not by swimming but by using it’s natural buoyancy and positioning it’s pectoral fins. When this happens close to Imagine it is very impressive, you are looking at one of the world’s largest creatures while it is looking at you saying Hello!
