On September 2, 2023, passengers, naturalists, and crew on our Farallon Islands whale watching trip out of San Francisco were privileged to witness an extraordinary encounter with a sperm whale, the largest toothed whale species on Earth. This magnificent creature graced us with its presence a mere 5 miles from Southeast Farallon Island.
For our seasoned naturalist and captain, who have each spent over three decades navigating these waters, this was a momentous occasion. In all their years of experience, they had never before laid eyes on a sperm whale near the Farallon Islands.
Oceanic Society naturalist David Wimpfheimer provided a complete account of the encounter—read on for David’s account!
The early September rain had left behind a stunning sight: mottled clouds and beautiful lighting as we sailed beneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. With the marine forecast promising low seas and a gentle breeze, my excitement grew for the possibility of encountering some remarkable marine wildlife.
Captain Jared, after providing us with some breathtaking views of several humpback whales, made an unexpected decision. Instead of heading straight to Southeast Farallon Island, he opted to explore the offshore waters first. Little did we know that this choice would prove to be both wise and incredibly fortunate.As we ventured further into the deep waters off the Continental Shelf, we found no signs of cetaceans. However, our disappointment was quickly replaced with joy when we spotted an albatross soaring above us. Over time out in the deep waters, our luck improved. Humpback whales began to make their appearance, much to the delight of everyone on board.
A large male sperm whale seen near the Farallon Islands on September 2, 2023. © Michael Pierson
Positioned towards the back of the boat, I assumed we were simply approaching another humpback when the captain suddenly changed direction. But when I caught sight of the low angled blow and the distinct hump on the whale’s back, I couldn’t help but think, “That looks like a sperm whale.” Within moments, my suspicions were confirmed and I began to shout and hurry about the boat as the massive creature surfaced once again, revealing its two key distinctive field marks. The excitement reached its peak when the whale rocked and lifted its massive, triangular fluke out of the water before diving straight down. This was a male sperm whale, the largest toothed whale in the world, and everyone on board was captivated by its presence. Countless photographs were snapped during the approximately four-minute encounter.
…when I caught sight of the low angled blow and the distinct hump on the whale’s back, I couldn’t help but think, “That looks like a sperm whale.” Within moments, my suspicions were confirmed as the massive creature surfaced once again, revealing its two key distinctive field marks.
Normally found in much deeper waters, often fifty to a hundred miles offshore, sperm whales primarily feed on giant squid. So, seeing one in the vicinity of the Farallon Islands was a rare occurrence. Both the captain and I had been searching for this iconic species since the mid-1980s, and this was the first time we had witnessed it in this particular location. Although the water was about 1450 feet deep, we were only five miles away from Southeast Farallon Island.
But our adventure wasn’t over just yet. On our journey back towards the mainland, we were treated to an incredible spectacle: over twenty humpback whales lunging at the surface as they fed. The display of their sheer power left us in awe. And as we finally approached the dock, there was a collective understanding among all those on board that we had experienced something truly extraordinary during this special voyage.
