Sperm whales
3 places to see and hear sperm whales in the wild, in 3 countries from Norway to Italy: when each one peaks, where to go on your own, what it costs and what you will hear. Wild animals only, no zoos.
Best time, place by place
| Spectacle | Country | Peak | On your own? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sperm whales of the Bleik canyon, Andenes | Norway | 1 Jun – 31 Aug | Guide, ranger or boat needed |
| Fin whales & sperm whales off the Côte d'Azur | France | 15 Jun – 15 Sep | Guide, ranger or boat needed |
| Fin whales & sperm whales, Pelagos Sanctuary | Italy | 1 Jul – 31 Aug | Guide, ranger or boat needed |
Where to go, north to south
Sperm whales of the Bleik canyon, AndenesWith a hydrophone: sperm whale click trains and creaks from 1,000 m down (the operators locate whales acoustically), occasional codas; above water, the explosive blow every 10–15 s at the surface and the tail-fluke dive; fulmars and gannets around the boat.
Fin whales & sperm whales off the Côte d'AzurWith a hydrophone: sperm whale clicks and codas, striped dolphin whistles and the shipping lane behind. Fin whale 20 Hz pulses need a hydrophone with real LF extension.
Fin whales & sperm whales, Pelagos SanctuaryWith a hydrophone: sperm whale clicks and codas, dolphin whistles. Fin whale calls are infrasonic (about 20 Hz) and need a suitable hydrophone.