Top Whale Imagery of 2025
By Newfoundland & Labrador
As the weather turns colder and the leaves begin to change, we close the door on another incredible whale watching season here in Newfoundland and Labrador. From capturing breaching, spyhopping, and everything in between, travellers had the chance to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures by land and sea.
Here’s a roundup of some of our favourite whale moments of the year, as seen by you!
Unexpected Friendship
Although the most common whale in Newfoundland and Labrador is the humpback, our waters are home to dozens of remarkable marine creatures, including the elusive orca. Felix Desrosiers was lucky enough to capture this special moment of two orcas floating alongside a puffin. Proof that out here, the extraordinary can surface in the most unexpected ways!
Just Popping In
This humpback whale is showing off its curiosity with a classic spyhop—a move where it rises vertically out of the water for a better look at the world above. Sometimes it's to check out the action, and sometimes, it just might be to say hello.
Ballerinas of the Ocean
What’s better than a breaching whale? Two breaching whales, of course! @planestrainsandbackpacks captured these two humpbacks practicing their moves during a morning boat ride in Twillingate. They put on a show that could give Broadway a run for its money!
Up Close and Personal
One of the best places to whale watch in the province is St. Vincent’s Beach, located along the Irish Loop on the Avalon Peninsula. Thanks to a steep drop-off feet from shore, whales often come incredibly close to the beach as they feed on small fish like capelin during the summer months. This unique feature offers some of the closest land-based whale viewing you’ll find, just like this incredible shot from @toyo.bien!
Hello Humpback!
This year the province launched a first-of-its-kind website that partners with Happywhale to tell the stories of our most frequent visitors; the humpback whale. Upload your fluke pictures, just like this one, and discover each humpback’s name and story, and help contribute to citizen science. Learn more about Hello Humpback here.
Blast-off
Our friend Devin March captured this stunning image of a whale launching into a breach just off the waters near Cliffs Edge Retreat in Bauline South.
Jumping for Joy
Newfoundland and Labrador is home to the world’s largest population of humpback whales, which visit the province yearly through the months of May to September, however this is not the only species you can see frolicking in our waters. Tonia Grandy caught this pod of harbour porpoise whales playing off the coast of the Burin Peninsula.
Morning Glow
Karen Holden captured the beautiful moment when water droplets from a whale’s blowhole glistened in the golden rays of sunshine. The kind of image that belongs in a gallery!
Peekaboo
Our friends at Trinity Eco Tours captured this playful humpback whale having fun in the waters off Trinity, on the Bonavista Peninsula. The cutest game of peekaboo you’ll ever see!
Just Blowing By
With over 29,000 kilometers of coastline, Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some of the most breathtaking coastal views. If you haven’t found your sea legs, take in one of the provinces many coastal trails and you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures just like Amanda McCallum did on the Stiles Cove Path on the East Coast Trail.
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Want to share your 2025 whale photos with us? Use #ExploreNL and tag us @newfoundlandlabrador. If you want to learn more about our neighbours from the north, migrate over to our whale watching webpage, or book a whale watching excursion by connecting with one of the many tour operators around our province.
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© Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
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