How to Identify Different Types of Whales While Whale Watching

When going on a whale watching trip, it can be hard to spot specific whales if you aren’t entirely sure what you’re looking for. Luckily, whales have defining features that can help make spotting them an easier process. Below we have listed some important characteristics for whale identification during your San Diego whale watching excursion.

4 Ways to Identify Types of Whales

1.Whale Spout Blows

One distinguishing characteristic of whales are their whale spouts. When a whale breaches the ocean’s surface for air, it exhales through its blowhole, creating a spout spray. Due to the differing sizes and shapes of the sprays, you are able to determine which whale is near!

Gray Whales: On the gray whale, their two blowholes are positioned in such a way that when they exhale, their spout appears to be heart-shaped.

Orca Whales: The orca, also known as the killer whale, has more of a bushy blow that tends to stay more rounded on the top of the ocean.

Humpback Whales: The humpback whale knows how to make an appearance with their tall blows, creating the shape of a large column. The blue whale also shares this characteristic.

2. Dorsal Fins

The dorsal fin is another feature that can help determine which sea creature is headed your way. If the whale has a dorsal fin, it will sit on the top of their back and is noticeable when the whale grazes the ocean’s surface.

Humpback Whales: The humpback whale has a very low, nub-like dorsal fin.

Orca Whales: The orcas have a very tall, distinctive dorsal fin.

Minke Whales, Fin Whales & Blue Whales: All three whales share a curved dorsal fin upon their broad backs.

Pacific White-Sided Dolphins: The pacific white-sided dolphins have curved and bi-colored dorsal fins.

Gray Whale: The gray whale is unique in that it has no dorsal fin at all!