Being in the Water with the Whales

For the duration of the trip we live aboard the 100 plus foot mother boat, and twice a day for approximately 3 - 4 hours at a time, we cruise through the Silver Banks on tenders (small motor vessels) looking for whales. During this time we are with the whales both in and out of the water.

Some of the surface behaviors we observe, at times very close to the boat, are:

Purchased photo copyright
Kaz ZirkleFlipper slapping: using their pectoral fins to slap the water

Photo purchased from
Dancer FleetLob tailing: raising their flukes out of the water and slapping them over and over on the surface

 

Photo copyright Chris Bangs, used with permission and gratitudeSpy hopping: raising just their heads out of the water at a perpendicular angle and looking around

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Kaz ZirkleSounding: slowly lifting their beautiful flukes out of the water as they dive

 

Photo copyright
Piers van der WaltThe always exciting breaching: throwing their bodies almost completely out of the water and splashing back down on the surface

Photo copyright Elise Pouliot, used with permission and gratitudeThe exhilarating observation of rowdies: when the whales in groups swim very fast together, sometimes bumping into each other, like adolescent boys playing touch football. Sometimes these groups will surround our small boats and make us part of their pod

 

While observing these spectacular surface behaviors is definitely exciting, being in the water with the whales is entirely different. The energy felt is usually gentle, still and sacred. Photo copyright Chris Bangs used with
permission and gratitudeWhen whales approach or are very near our small boats, and are not exhibiting rowdy or aggressive behavior, we are able to quietly slip off the side of a small boat with snorkel, fins and mask to be with the them in their water home. Many, though not all, of the in-the-water experiences are with mothers and calves, sometimes with accompanying escorts. The trust the mothers demonstrate by allowing us near their calves is astounding, and must be earned.

We do not swim toward the whales, but simply and quietly float above them. It is an experience of inviting the whales to come close if they want to, waiting for when they may be ready, rather than chasing them. Sometimes we see mothers and calves nursing. Sometimes mothers keep their calves at a distance from us, and other times allow them to closely approach our human group. Sometimes the whales will just barely let us see them and then swim off, other times they stay nearby for an hour or several hours. Sometimes they choose to come so close we can see only small sections of their huge bodies. Sometimes, we can hear the whales singing, and feel the vibration of their songs move right through out bodies.

Each encounter is a blessing. Each time it is holy, a sacred opportunity to release any erroneous beliefs we may carry about perceived differences of importance between us and other beings, or about hierarchy among souls.

When we quietly slip into the water and enter the world of the whales, life changes. Time as we know it stops. A quiet aura of peace surrounds the whales and fills us. There’s an inexplicable feeling of trust, of knowing we are altogether safe in close proximity to these magnificent, giant creatures who have initiated an encounter with us, who choose to be near us. It’s an other-worldly, enthralling experience.

Photo copyright Elise Pouilot, used with permission and gratitudeBeing in the midst of these fifty feet long, fifty ton animals involves a paradox: Despite their tremendous physical size and power they also exude an unmistakeable gentleness towards us. It is at first almost shocking to experience this juxtaposition of power and gentleness. But quickly it is humbling, disarming and often transforming. And then there is the love. Their boundless, enormous, forgiving love of we tiny humans who come to visit--humans from the same species who have relentlessly slaughtered their kind, their kin.

When I asked the first whale I ever met how he and others could stomach the presence of humans, and why he chose to come so close to a whale watch boat and stay for so long--since boats and people represent the very combination of what brought (and still brings in some places) a horrible death to whales, he said,

There really aren’t words to adequately describe the state of pure love, bliss and absolute peace that comes with being close to these whales who honor us with their presence and their love. For me, and many other who’ve described their experiences, it really does feel like heaven to be in the water with the whales. In my animal communication practice I have talked with thousands of animals after their death about what it is like in the spirit world, and have experienced glimpses and moments of being there visiting those I love who have died. When I am with the whales in their water home, it’s no longer just a glimpse, it really is like heaven. Photo copyright Chris Bangs, used with permission and gratitudeFor me it’s heaven on earth to be with them in their water home. It’s coming home, it’s being with family.

The first time I was with them under water all life on earth as I previously knew it changed. It was March of 1999 in Silver Bank. There were light rays beaming down all around, allowing me to see the whales very clearly, and making the experience seem even more mystical. First I saw a long white fin, thinking it was the mother because it was so huge in front of me. Then I saw another even bigger fin, and knew the first belonged to the baby. The baby was above the mother, rolling, twirling and playing. Then they looked at me. Oh! I made noises of joy, then wondered why my mouthpiece felt funny. It was from smiling!

Photo taken by and given as a gift by
Diane DunkmanIt’s almost impossible to describe the pure, raw joy, the other-worldliness of being eye to eye with a 50 foot mother whale and her baby, in the water. The trust, the love, it’s palpable. As the mother continued to look at me I told her I had waited all my life for this moment, and sent her all the love and gratitude I could possibly express for the privilege of seeing and being with them in their home. The moment my message was sent I felt a powerful wave of love coming straight from her wash through me as she said, “Welcome home, and thank you for bringing such peace and love to my calf.” I felt completely cradled in the presence of her grace. My whole body tingled. My mask and snorkel once again felt uncomfortable. Photo purchased from the Aggressor FleetI was choking, this time from crying. But it didn’t matter. A moment of choking was nothing compared to being graced by the physical and spiritual presence of this humpback mother and baby. It is a grace I will recall the rest of my life. It lives in my heart.

Earlier that morning I had called out to all the mother whales in the sanctuary, telling them our small group would love an encounter with them if they so desired. A mother responded and said, “Yes, but I want each of you to teach my baby which kind of humans to trust. Please, come in calmness. I want her to know your love. I enjoy and appreciate the high excitement and curiosity and intense desires to be with us that I feel from the group of you, but this can overwhelm and overexcite her. Please, come in quiet calm and love. I really do relish your excitement, but when you get in the water, if you can just try to contain that for awhile and come with gentle, quiet minds, it will be good.” It was this mother who came to us with her calf, allowing a glorious exchange of love and trust.

Of course, each experience is different for everyone--each year, each encounter. Photo of Joan Beattie with humpbacks in Silver Bank. Photographer unknownBut one common thing I inevitably hear on every trip from people there for the first time: “Oh the trust!” or “They’re so gentle!” and “They are so full of love!” I also love hearing everyone’s squeals, laughter, and seeing their tears of exquisite joy. These moments with the whales--which sometimes are just a minute long and at times hours long--are worth the all the tedious travel and all the money and energy it takes to get there. Even one minute of physical closeness and emotional intimacy with these wise, forgiving, magnificently beautiful beings is worth whatever energy we spend to be with them. I could go on and on with my own stories of encounters, but that is for a book. Click here to read some comments from other trip participants’ experiences.