The whales are already singing!

As is the case every year, Whale Watcher tours officially launch at Sodwana Bay Lodge from 1 July 2025. This is your gateway to unforgettable encounters with ocean giants. As the only licensed whale watching operator in the Sodwana Bay area, we’re thrilled to offer an experience that blends exhilaration with environmental insight. And right on cue, the whales are making waves in the scientific community with their songs.

In a fascinating study spanning six years, scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California have been eavesdropping on whale songs—and what they’re hearing is music with a message. Published in the journal PLOS One, the study revealed that the number of days humpback whales sing had almost doubled, providing valuable clues about ocean health and food supply.

“The amount of humpback whale song continually increased,” said lead researcher Dr John Ryan, “with their songs being detected on 34% of days at the beginning of the study and rising to 76% of days after six years.” This increase closely mirrored boom years for krill and anchovy populations, showing just how finely tuned whales are to the ocean’s rhythm.

Hydrophones were used to record songs from blue, fin and humpback whales. According to Dr Ryan, “the acoustic behaviour of baleen whales provides insights about which species can better adapt to changing ocean conditions”. Humpbacks, in particular, stood out for their adaptability. Skin biopsies even confirmed they were switching prey depending on what was abundant—a sort of buffet approach to survival.

So, what does this mean for us at Sodwana Bay? It’s simple: when the whales sing, it’s a good sign. Their songs signal not only their presence but the health of the ecosystem we share with them.

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned ocean lover, a Whale Watcher tour is your chance to hear this marine symphony up close—and support conservation in the process. The research underscores what we've always believed: listening to whales might just help save them.

Book your Whale Watcher tour from 1 July 2025 and come experience the ocean's most incredible soundtrack for yourself.