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Blue Whale sighting goes viral
Blue whale sightings are extremely rare. They are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. So, imagine our awe when a blue whale surfaced and breached in the waters off Gorontalo.
Deep Seas of Gorontalo
The deep offshore waters of Gorontalo create ideal conditions for pelagic encounters. Ocean depths along Gorontalo’s southern coastline plunge to four kilometers. These are the waters of Tomini Bay that separate Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi provinces. Encounters with large pelagic animals are common. However, sightings of a blue whale are extraordinarily rare.
On this remarkable day, the ocean revealed something unforgettable. A massive blue whale surfaced within 100 meters of shore. It exhaled powerful blows upon breaching. Then it descended into the calm, blue waters. Its immense size was unmistakable. Villagers for several kilometers along this coastline saw this whale as it passed.
Drone Footage Goes Viral
Fortunately, a friend from shore launched his drone. This allowed documentation of the encounter from above. The aerial perspective shows the true scale of the blue whale. The video captures both the breaching behavior and the iconic blow, offering a rare glimpse into the life of this gentle giant.
You can view the drone video on our Facebook page and Instagram (@gtomiguelsdiving). The video has captivated viewers from around the world. It has over 17,000 views on our social media accounts.
Blue Whale, Ocean Giant
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) can reach lengths of over 30 meters. It can weigh more than 150 tons. Despite its enormous size, it feeds almost exclusively on plankton. The heart alone can weigh as much as a small motorcycle.
Blue whales are migratory and typically found in deep offshore waters. Our sighting nearshore in Gorontalo is especially significant. Miguel’s Diving staff sighted another blue whale near the same location about 20 years ago. Although their populations are slowly recovering, they remain endangered. Every encounter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ocean conservation.
Gorontalo: More Than Just Diving
This blue whale sighting highlights Gorontalo’s extraordinary marine diversity. While the region is best known for pristine coral reefs, rare critters, and world-class diving, encounters like this show that Gorontalo also plays a role in the lives of the ocean’s largest inhabitants.
Moments like these remind us why we explore, protect, and share the stories of the sea. For your chance to make memories in Gorontalo, please make your dive reservations directly with Miguel’s Diving.
