Some whale watching experiences are full of excitement, particularly when these massive marine mammals breach and slap the water with their fins.
But the quieter moments are no less thrilling – as researchers found out during an expedition to Dominica in 2022 when they came across a family of sperm whales taking a nap.
“These whales spend approximately 7 percent of their day sleeping vertically near the surface in short 10–15-minute periods,” says Kat Millage, a marine scientist at National Geographic Pristine Seas.
Nat Geo Pristine Seas shared the magical footage of the huge whales slumbering while upright, like towering underwater trees, on Instagram.
“This behaviour allows them to stay alert to predators and easily breathe when they wake up (whales breathe air!),” adds Millage.
But this can put these ocean giants in harm’s way. “Because sperm whales sleep so close to the surface, they are vulnerable to being hit by boat propellers,” says Millage. “A key conservation challenge is minimising potential interactions between ocean-going vessels and sperm whales.”
Dominica’s 200-or-so resident sperm whales recently received new protections thanks to the 2025 establishment of the world’s first sperm whale reserve, which aims to regulate marine activities and protect their habitat.
Image and video credit: National Geographic Pristine Seas
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