The fin whale is a long, sleek baleen whale found in all oceans. Second only to the blue whale in size, it was heavily hunted but has recovered in some regions since whaling ended.
Interesting facts
- Its colouring is asymmetrical: the right lower jaw is white, while the left is dark.
- The white side may help it herd fish when it lunges.
- Fin whales make extremely low, loud calls that can travel hundreds of kilometres.
- Hundreds of thousands were killed by commercial whaling in the 20th century.
- It can gulp about 70 cubic metres of water and prey in a single lunge.
- Fin whales are regularly seen from ferries crossing the Bay of Biscay.
Behaviour
Fin whales are usually seen alone or in small groups. They feed by lunging into swarms of krill or schools of fish, and blow tall, narrow spouts.
Breeding and young
After about 11 months, a single calf is born, usually in winter in warmer waters.
Threats and conservation
Ship strikes, entanglement, noise pollution, climate change affecting prey, and limited whaling.
Where to see it
- Bay of Biscay, on ferries between the UK and Spain
- Pelagos Sanctuary, Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean
- Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec
- Monterey Bay, California
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Orcas and Humpbacks in Northern Norway: Winter Whale Guide
