Habitat

During migration, humpback whales are near the surface of the ocean. While feeding and calving, humpback whales prefer shallow waters.  However, when calving, the whales are found near warmer waters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution

Humpback whales are found in all major oceans.  Depending on the location of the whale, the migration and feeding patterns can vary.

• Whales found in the North Atlantic Ocean feed during the spring until fall in the east coast of the United States.  During the winter, whales from the Gulf of Maine mate and calve in the West Indies. 

• Meanwhile, whales found in the North Pacific consist of three different populations found in the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, and the west coast of the United States (California, Washington, and Oregon).  Whales from all of the three populations migrate to Alaska or British Columbia.