Dominican Republic - Samana

There are four global populations of Humpback Whale; namely, North Pacific, Atlantic, Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean.  The Atlantic population numbers around 12,000, out of a global population of around 85,000.  Humpbacks are incredible travellers; the Atlantic group mate, give birth, and nurse new-born calves in the warm, calm Caribbean waters around the Dominican Republic during the winter months of January to March. before completing epic journeys north to the feeding grounds off the coast of New England, Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland.

Humpbacks are lively mammals, particularly during the breeding season (January to March for the Atlantic group); breaching the water in spectacular fashion is a communication to others and a means to attract a mate.  The animated behaviour is all the more amazing considering that an adult can measure 12-15m in length and weigh around 30-40 tons.

Mothers that have given birth that year spend time preparing their calf for the long migration ahead.  Drinking 200 litres of milk a day, the calf will gain weight at an astonishing 50kg per day.  Each day the mother will develop their calf's stamina by swimming repeatedly up and down the bay whilst encouraging it to hold its breath for ever longer durations during dives, an essential feeding skill.