Seasonal· Virgin Gorda· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Humpback Whale Season (Virgin Gorda & the Dogs)
18° 29.7′ N · 64° 26.4′ W · approximate
Each winter North Atlantic humpbacks come south to the West Indies to mate and calve, and boats crossing Sir Francis Drake Channel, the Dogs and the open water north of Virgin Gorda sometimes see them blow and breach.
Practical
Coordinate approximate: a reference point in open water between George Dog and Mountain Point. NOAA Fisheries: North Atlantic humpbacks migrate south in winter to calve and mate in the West Indies, and NOAA's guideline is to observe large whales from at least 100 yards. In the Virgin Islands the season runs roughly December to April with March and April the peak (Island Roots Charters, quoting a naturalist, for the USVI next door). Whales are normally seen in deeper water offshore, not in the shallow bays. No Virgin Gorda-specific sighting record or whale-watching operator was verified. If whales approach, slow down or back the sails and let them come to you; keep a lookout when motoring at speed.
Best for
Keeping a lookout on winter passages
Season
Dec–Apr; peak Mar–Apr
Nearby
- Seal Dog Rocks0.7 NM away
- George Dog1.1 NM away
- Coral Gardens & Sharkplaneo (Great Dog)1.3 NM away
- Mountain Point Snorkel1.3 NM away
- Western Roads Anchorage (Virgin Gorda)1.3 NM away
- Great Dog Anchorage1.4 NM away
- Long Bay & Nail Bay (Virgin Gorda north shore)1.5 NM away
- Long Bay Anchorage (Virgin Gorda)1.5 NM away