Whales are among the largest animals on Earth, which leads many people to wonder – can you actually hug a whale if you had the chance? While it may sound fanciful, there are actually a few waysaverage people can get up close and personal with these gentle giants of the sea. However, there are also many risks and regulations involved with whale encounters, so caution is advised. This article will explore the possibilities and practicalities of hugging whales in the wild.
Can You Legally Hug a Whale?
Many countries have laws prohibiting people from touching or disturbing marine mammals like whales in the wild. For example, in the United States the Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to “harass, hunt, capture, or kill” whales and other marine species. Harassment includes any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance that has the potential to injure or disrupt a marine mammal’s natural behaviors. Hugging would very likely qualify as harassment.
However, there are some limited exceptions that allow certain groups and individuals to interact with whales legally:
Scientific Research
Scientists and researchers may be granted permits to come into close physical contact with whales for data collection, educational studies, tagging programs, or medical treatment. But these interactions are closely monitored and regulated to minimize any distress to the animals.
Licensed Whale Watching
Responsible whale watching tours with licenses and permits may bring people close enough to whales in the wild that they could theoretically reach out and touch them from the boat. However, reputable tour operators do not allow this, for both legal reasons and for the safety of passengers and animals.
Swimming With Captive Whales
The only way average people can legally hug a whale is through structured swim programs with captive animals at accredited aquariums and marine parks. Here, participants might have opportunities to briefly embrace beluga whales, for example. However, this practice remains highly controversial.
So under normal circumstances, it is illegal to simply swim out into the open ocean and attempt to hug any whale you encounter. Fines for violating marine mammal protection laws can be upwards of $20,000 USD.
Is It Safe to Hug a Whale?
Apart from the legal issues, hugging whales in the wild carries a number of safety risks:
Whale Size
Many species like humpback, gray, and blue whales can reach lengths of 50 feet (15 m) or more and weigh over 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg). Hugging an animal this massive could result in broken bones or crushing injuries for a human.
Thrashing
Startled or distressed whales may thrash around in the water, posing a drowning or concussion hazard to anyone clinging on.
Germs
Like any wild animal, whales harbor bacteria and other microbes that could infect people. Swallowing seawater contaminated with whale saliva or mucus could make you very sick.
Dominant Behaviors
Some male whales may perceive hugging as a show of dominance or threat. The whale could retaliate aggressively with ramming, biting, or smashing behaviors.
Mother-Calf Pairs
Female whales are very protective of their young. Approaching a mother and calf could cause her to lash out and strike with her massive fluke (tail).
So attempting to hug a random wild whale puts both the human and the whale at risk of significant harm or death. It should never be attempted by anyone other than highly trained professionals.
Where Can You Find Whales to Hug?
If you are dreaming of one day embracing a whale, here are some of the top spots around the globe for potential whale encounters:
Península Valdés, Argentina
Along the Argentinian coast, southern right whales come within yards of the shoreline to breed and nurse their calves. The massive mammals swim right next to cliff edges and beaches.
Hervey Bay, Australia
Dwarf minke whales and humpback whales pass through the calm waters of this Australian whale watching hotspot. Whale watching boats may drift alongside the animals.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Sperm whales gather to feed in the submarine Kaikoura Canyon. Whale watching cruises position alongside the giants as they surface.
Stellwagen Bank, USA
Located off the coast of Massachusetts, these rich feeding grounds attract humpback whales every summer. Whale watching boats approach near enough to smell whale breath.
The Kingdom of Tonga
Humpback whales use the shallow lagoons of Tonga as a nursery for their newborn calves. People snorkel with the whales under strictly controlled conditions.
Laguna San Ignacio, Mexico
In this UNESCO World Heritage site, gray whales mate and give birth along the shores of a remote Baja lagoon. Tour groups kayak quietly among the shallows with new calves.
So opportunities may exist around the world to have extremely close encounters with whales, though actually reaching out to touch them would be very risky and inadvisable.
Whale Species You’re Most Likely to Hug
If you were able to get up close to different species of whales, here are some of the top candidates for hugging:
Beluga Whale
| Average Length | 12-16 feet |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 1-2 tons |
| Fun Facts | Belugas are known as the “canaries of the sea” for their chirps and whistles. Their round melons on the forehead can change shape. |
These beautiful white whales inhabit Arctic and subarctic waters. Belugas are small enough that people could cautiously hug them, which does occur with captive animals under supervision. Their facial expressions and curiosity make them adorable hug candidates.
Gray Whale
| Average Length | 40-50 feet |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 30-40 tons |
| Fun Facts | Gray whales migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip annually, the longest migration of any mammal. |
These gigantic marine mammals live primarily in shallow coastal waters of the Northern Pacific. They are bottom feeders known for gathering sediment and filtering out small ocean creatures to eat. Peaceful grays often approach small boats extremely closely, making them prime hugging targets.
Humpback Whale
| Average Length | 40-50 feet |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 25-40 tons |
| Fun Facts | Humpbacks are famous for their magical songs, which can last up to 30 minutes and be heard 20 miles away. |
Humpback whales live in oceans around the world. They frequently breach entirely out of the water and slap the surface with pectoral fins or flukes. Their curiosity brings them close to whale watching boats, providing potential hugging opportunities for people.
Southern Right Whale
| Average Length | 45-55 feet |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 55-70 tons |
| Fun Facts | Right whales got their name because they were the “right” whales for early whalers to hunt – they are slow swimmers and float when dead. |
These rotund baleen whales inhabit cooler waters around South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They come remarkably close to shore during breeding season, often in waters just a few feet deep. Their calm, curious nature makes them potential hugging candidates from the beach.
Dwarf Minke Whale
| Average Length | 20-30 feet |
|---|---|
| Average Weight | 6-10 tons |
| Fun Facts | Dwarf minke whales approach swimmers and boats to investigate them thoroughly and closely. |
These diminutive rorquals live in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, especially off Australia during winter months. They are extremely inquisitive and will linger around snorkelers and scuba divers in the Great Barrier Reef, sometimes even pushing gently with their snouts. For a baleen whale, they make a highly interactive and huggable potential friend.
Tips for a Safe Whale Hug
If you are ever afforded the incredible chance to touch a whale in a legally authorized setting, here are some tips to make the encounter safe for you and the whale:
– Move slowly and calmly to avoid startling the whale. Sudden movements may scare them.
– Let the whale approach you first, rather than the other way around.
– Avoid sensitive areas like the blowhole, mouth, fins, fluke and genital region. Stick to the sides of the body.
– Do not attempt to grab, hold or restrict the whale in any way. Keep contact brief and gentle.
– Do not make sudden loud noises which could distress the whale. Keep calm.
– Follow all instructions from supervising staff members guiding the interaction. They know the whale best.
– Be cognizant that whales host microbes which can infect people. Avoid swallowing seawater and wash hands thoroughly afterward.
– Recognize the whale may end the encounter at any time by swimming away. Do not chase or attempt to reconnect.
– Appreciate and respect the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of meeting a whale up close! Not many people get this experience.
Famous Human-Whale Hugs
While certainly rare, there are a few well-known instances of especially intimate hugs between humans and whales:
Pito the Humpback Whale
In 2016, free diver Nan Hauser was stunned when a 50,000 humpback whale she knew as “Pito” protected her from a 15-foot tiger shark. Pito pushed Hauser twice with his head and pectoral fin, sheltering her safely under his huge body. She hugged and stroked the whale in thanks after the shark left.
Humpback Whale in Hawaii
During a whale dive in 2015 off Maui, a young humpback approached diver Julie Ouimet and positioned itself beneath her for support, lifting her briefly out of the water. Overwhelmed, Julie hugged the whale’s pectoral fin in a tender embrace.
Baby Beluga Whale
While swimming with belugas in 2017 at SeaWorld Orlando for a commercial shoot, photographer Patrick Coyne was stunned when a curious baby beluga swam over, rolled upside down and nestled gently into his chest with its fins, as if asking for a hug. The magical moment was captured on camera.
Gray Whale in Baja
During a 2010 gray whale encounter off the Baja Peninsula, whale researcher Nan Landes was pinned briefly against a mangrove root when a friendly gray approached to investigate her camera and research gear. Nan impulsively threw her arms around the barnacle-covered head in a quick impromptu hug.
Keiko the Orca
The captive orca Keiko, star of the “Free Willy” movies, was known to swim into his caregivers’ arms and hold still for several seconds, allowing staff to tenderly hug and stroke him. He performed similar hugs with actor Jason James Richter between movie takes.
Conclusion
Can you hug a whale safely? While ill-advised in most cases, certain controlled opportunities may exist for people to embrace whales briefly and responsibly. Most whales are simply too large, too unpredictable, and too vulnerable to disturbances for casual hugging in the wild. But with proper caution, appreciation and supervision, these moments of close human-whale connection can be profoundly touching – literally! Respecting marine mammal protection laws and the whales’ welfare are key. For most whale enthusiasts, keeping a polite distance and observing the giants in their natural habitats will be the closest kind of “embrace” possible.