Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador
Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador
Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador
Ecuador Ecuador Hotels & Lodging Galapagos Islands Tours Activities Ecuador, Ecuador Land Tours Ecuador Regions Guide, Ecuador Destination Guide All about Ecuador General Information Ecuador Maps Ecuador Travel Information Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador Ecuador
Ecuador Ecuador Hotels
 
Birdwatching in Ecuador
Climbing & Hiking in Ecuador
Horseback Riding in Ecuador
Indigenous Markets in Ecuador
Language Schools in Ecuador
Learn Spanish in Ecuador
Whale Watching
Jungle
Camping
Salsa Dancing
Community Tourism
Mountain Biking in Ecuador
National Parks in Ecuador
Scuba Diving in Galapagos
Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking
Wildlife Observation in Ecuador
4x4 Tours in Ecuador
Discover Galapagos
Hacienda trips
Fishing
Surfing
SPA - Services
 
Welcome to Ecuador
Important phone numbers
Foreign Embassies in Ecuador
Ecuadorian Embassies worlwide
Ecuadorian Consulates worldwide
Transportation in Ecuador
Holidays, Festivals and Fairs
Souvenirs and Handicraft
Healthy
Toilets and drinking water
Climate and travel season of Ecuador
Ecuador Eating & Drinking
 
Ecuador » Activities & Tour Operators »
Humpback Whales of the Ecuadorian Coast

Humpback whales, EcuadorWhale watching in their natural environment has become an increasingly popular worldwide activity. The presence of humpback whales off the Ecuadorian coast, especially in the Machalilla National Park, is a unique tourist attraction during this period of the year. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from the Antarctic (South Pole) to tropical waters to mate and give birth to their calves during the austral winter (June-September). These whales look for Ecuadorian waters to breed because the calves need to be born in a warm environment since are born with a thin isolating layer.

The humpback whales are easy to recognize because of their extremely long pectoral fins, which measure almost a third part of their body’s length. In fact, their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "of big wings". These whales can measure up to 16 m of length and weigh up to 40 tons. They are usually dark blue, gray or black colored on their back, but their flippers, sides and belly have several white spots and some scars. Their caudal fin (tail) has some unique spots like fingerprints at the ventral part, which are used by scientists as an identification pattern of individual whales.

Sponsors


Humpback whales EcuadorHumpback whales are the most acrobatic of the bigger whales. They like to breach out the water or hit the surface repetitively with their flippers or flukes. It is believed that the sound produced in this form could be used for communications purposes. Humpback whales are also well known as the "singer" whales during the breeding season. The meaning of the songs is probably related to the reproduction process.

Exploramar Diving offers the opportunity to share the unique and magnificent experience of observing the humpback whales in their natural environment, following the International Regulations established in order to reduce the human impact over these individuals and in this way guarantee their presence in this area. With offices in Quito and in the town of Puerto López --where the central offices of Machalilla National Park (M.N.P.) are found-- Exploramar Diving has boats that operate in the M.N.P. marine area. Scuba diving lessons with certified PADI instructors are also offered.

By: Michel Guerrero / Marine Biologist



 Article © by This is Ecuador Magazine
 Order your monthly copy of This is Ecuador

High Summits
Mountain Climbing Tour Operator
Climbing in Ecuador
Ecuador Maps
 
 
Hosting, Diseño, Programación, Desarrollo de sitios Web Ecuador
Powered by ImpactoVisual