humpback whale song

12

miles away
their singing
can be heard

40

minutes is
how long their
songs can last

60

feet below the
ocean surface
the male's sing

00:00

Whale songs

North Pacific humpback whales produce long, complex songs underwater, and these vocalizations can be heard from up to 12 miles away.

Not all humpbacks sing. Only certain males produce these elaborate songs, and they typically sing alone. Scientists are still learning why only some males develop this behavior.

View more
  • Humpback whale singing

Whale songs

Male humpbacks typically sing 50 to 60 feet beneath the surface, hanging nearly motionless with their heads angled downward and their flukes upward. Their songs consist of repeating phrases and units that can last 20 to 40 minutes, creating a patterned performance similar to a musical composition.

Why Do Humpbacks Sing?

Researchers continue to study the purpose of these remarkable vocalizations. Evidence suggests singing may help attract females or deter other males during the breeding season. Each winter, researchers and nonprofit groups in Hawaiʻi record whale songs, documenting how they evolve and how patterns spread across the population.

One of the most fascinating findings is that whales often resume their song at the same point they ended the previous season, indicating strong memory and cultural transmission. Whale songs can sometimes be heard underwater by snorkelers in West Maui, especially near Lahaina, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua.