Whale Species in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Which one will you see?

Twenty-two species of whales swim virtually everywhere throughout the rich feeding waters along our coast, making Newfoundland and Labrador one of the most spectacular whale watching platforms in the world. The species that spend the most time around our shores include:

Humpback (11-30 metres long)

The world’s largest population of feeding Humpback whales is found here. Migrating from the Caribbean, they spend from April to October in the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador. Humpbacks are baleen whales, which means that they have bristle like plates in their mouths to obtain nourishment. They are often seen “breaching” or jumping out of the water and crashing into the waves, and when they dive, their tails rise in the air. Watch for a black back, white underside and flippers, frequent surface activity, and a high, balloon-shaped blow.

Minke (7-8 metres long)

Common in the bays of Newfoundland and Labrador, this is the smallest baleen whale. Its uniquely narrow, triangular shaped head is black, with white shading at the jaw. It exhibits a low, quick blow, which is often not visible, and has a tall, hook-shaped dorsal fin. Unlike other whales, the minke’s tail does not show when it dives to feed on capelin, mackerel or herring, and it will spend very little time on the surface before swimming deep under water for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. You’ll see these whales in summer and early fall.

Pothead (Pilot) (4.5-6 metres long)

Named for its thick pot-shaped head, these small toothed whales often travel in large groups of up to 100. This long finned whale is black in colour except for a light shading under the head and on the belly. These whales love to feed on squid and fish during summer and early fall.

Fin (18-23 metres long)

This large baleen whale is the second largest of the whales. It has a slender, elongated body with a tall, curved dorsal fin and a large ice cream cone shaped blow. Its lower jaw is light in colour on the right side and dark on the left. You’ll see these whales traveling further offshore than both humpback and minke whales. They can travel in packs of up to eight.

Sperm (10-15 metres long)

The largest of the toothed whales, the Sperm has a wrinkled body that is dark brown or grey in colour. A blowhole in the shape of the letter “S” sits on the left side of its head, producing a bushy spout that extends beyond its front.

Blue (21-28 metres long)

The Blue Whale is the largest mammal that has ever lived on earth! It has a very broad “U” shaped head and a long streamlined body with small flippers and dorsal fin. This baleen whale is most abundant on the Southwest coast of Newfoundland, especially during the winter months.

Orca (Killer Whale) (7-10 metres long)

Look for a stout, glossy black and white body, large paddle-shaped flippers and a very tall dorsal fin, as well as a white patch immediately behind the eye. This well-known toothed whale can be seen off of Newfoundland and Labrador in the summer months.

White-beaked Dolphin (Up to 3 metres long)

These dolphins have a dark grey body, a short white nose, white patches ahead and behind its dorsal fin, and light grey and white patches across its back.

White-sided Dolphin (Up to 3 metres long)

These “squid jumpers” or “jumpers”, as they are locally known, have black or dark grey backs, a light grey patch running their backs, and white bellies. Behind and below their dorsal fins are two yellow or beige-coloured ovals.

Harbour Porpoise (Up to 2 metres)

This porpoise is dark grey in colour with a white speckled underside. It has small black flippers and a triangular dorsal fin, as well as a rounded head without a beak or nose. These small porpoises travel in groups up to five and are known locally as “puffin pigs” for the grunting sound they make when they blow.

Print this guide and grab your camera. Create a game to see who can spot the most whales. Who knows what you will see on your trip to Newfoundland and Labrador!