Baltic humpback makes waves again? A growing sight in Polish waters

The Baltic Sea has once again proven it’s full of surprises—and this time, it’s a big one. On Thursday, April 3, 2025, during a seal-watching cruise organized by “Gdańsk – Świbno Seal Tours” ("Rejsy na foki - Gdańsk - Świbno) passengers and crew spotted a feeding whale. Yes, you read that right. Approximately 17 kilometers north of the Vistula Śmiała river mouth, in an area with depths of around 60 meters, the vessel witnessed one of the most jaw-dropping spectacles the Polish coast has to offer.

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09 april 2025   |   09:06   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Pixabay

The marine mammal submerged for 6 to 8 minutes at a time before resurfacing to take several breaths, accompanied by dramatic exhalations—water spouts reaching up to 5 meters high. Over the course of several dozen minutes, it was observed surfacing five times, captivating everyone on board.

This extraordinary encounter took place in waters teeming with small fish—shoals so dense they could rival tropical seas. It’s likely this abundance of prey lured the unexpected visitor to Polish waters.

While the Baltic Sea is often seen as lacking in large marine species, its biodiversity continues to defy expectations. Seals and harbor porpoises are already familiar sights in our gulf, but a whale? This is the kind of event that becomes the stuff of local maritime legend—though sightings like this are becoming less rare.

Was it a fin whale? A minke whale? Or perhaps a juvenile of another species? Without detailed footage or further analysis, it’s hard to say for certain. Regardless, the appearance of this oceanic giant in Baltic waters is a testament to the fact that, despite its limitations, this sea remains vibrant and unpredictable.

Biuro „Rejsy na foki Gdańsk – Świbno” called the sighting a rare honor and privilege—but also a reminder of the need to protect our marine environment with even greater dedication.

The Baltic clearly has more stories to tell. This sighting echoes an earlier event at the turn of February and March, when a nearly 17-meter-long humpback was spotted in Baltic waters.

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