Introduction
This blog was written by Expedition Leader Erika Hernandez Calvo during the December 18 “In Steinbeck's Wakek” 10-day itinerary aboard the Safari Voyager. Erika shares the excitement and wonder of cruising through a whale hot spot on the edge of a deep-sea canyon—an unforgettable day filled with Fin whales, humpbacks, and heartwarming hope for the future of these magnificent creatures.
An afternoon cruising in a whale hot spot had guests and crew alike excited for the possibility of seeing the largest inhabitants of the Gulf of California. We were informed by the Captain of the vessel that this place was on the edge of a deep-sea canyon, where upwelling—or nutrient enrichment—makes the waters a favorite buffet for large whales. We were hopeful, eyes fixed on every visible surface of the ocean. Finally, like magic, only one mile off our bow, a blow! The wind had picked up significantly and was playing tricks on us. Some thought it was just wind spray. But others knew—this was our chance.
We were treated to an amazing encounter with a mother and calf Fin whale pair! The Fin whale is the second largest baleen whale, reaching a maximum length of nearly 90 feet—just behind the Blue whale. Beyond the sheer wonder of their size, seeing a mother and calf always brings hope for the species and for the entire whale population, that they may rebound fully after years of overextraction from the oceans.
Not long after, we were once again rewarded with a particularly splashy humpback whale—tail-slapping and breaching all around us! We couldn’t believe our luck. With our hearts full and the day coming to a close, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset, still buzzing from the afternoon’s sightings.
