Humpback Whale Spotted Resting Near the Coast of Praia Grande

An incredible drone recording on Monday morning (13) captured a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calmly resting in the waters off Praia do Canto do Forte, in Praia Grande, São Paulo. The animal, which appeared to be in good health, was seen close to the shore, drawing the attention of beachgoers.

In the footage, the whale remains still for a few moments before slowly swimming back toward the open sea. A swimmer even approached, keeping a safe distance, as the gentle giant resumed its journey.

According to marine biologist Alex Ribeiro, this behavior is typical of the species during its migration period, which usually lasts until November. “It appears to be an adult female, healthy and simply taking a break to rest before continuing her migration,” he explained.

The Biopesca Institute, which is monitoring the situation, reported that the whale is approximately 10 meters long and shows no visible injuries, although it has some skin patches likely caused by dermatitis — a common condition among whales.

Such sightings are not unusual at this time of year. Humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of Antarctica in search of warmer regions to breed and nurse their calves, frequently passing along the coast of São Paulo.

In a statement, the Biopesca Institute thanked the support of the Maritime Fire Department and the Municipal Civil Guard of Praia Grande, as well as the local community, who shared images and videos to assist with species monitoring.

“These records are essential to expanding our understanding of humpback behavior and highlight the importance of citizen science,” the Institute noted.

This beautiful encounter reminds us of how special it is to witness such majestic creatures up close — and of the importance of respecting their space and keeping a safe distance from these gentle giants of the sea.

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