Whale Songs: The Secret Language of Whales

2025-11-08

From whale songs and boat traffic to dolphin whistles and static noise on coral reefs — our oceans are alive with sound. Whales live in a world where the light fades quickly, and vision is limited, so sound is vital. It’s their primary language. Read on to discover how blue whales, humpbacks, and gray whales communicate. The ocean giants that make up the Baja Ultimate Whales.

Does Sound Travel Differently Underwater?

Yes, sound travels much faster underwater compared to air. In fact, it travels over four times faster! Because water is denser than air, it transmits sound vibrations more efficiently. This means sound travels much further underwater, too. Whale calls, for example, can travel for hundreds of miles, carrying information across oceans.

Blue whale near the surface in the Sea of Cortez, the best place to see blue whales

Blue Whales: Infrasonic Sound

Blue whales communicate with some of the lowest-frequency sounds on Earth — infrasonic sound— which means less than 20 Hz. In comparison, human voice frequencies range from 90-255 Hz. We didn’t exactly evolve to hear sounds that low; they are inaudible to the human ear. Therefore, we rely on amplifiers to record and relay whale noises. Their long calls and moans can travel hundreds of kilometres, allowing individuals to maintain contact across vast ocean expanses.

Unfortunately, it’s the same frequency range as human-made sounds, such as ship engines, low-frequency sonar, and oil exploration activities. There is growing evidence that noise interference can disturb their vital life functions¹. Since blue whales are an endangered species, this is especially concerning and the subject of a number of research projects.

Research shows that whales make these calls at relatively shallow depths, typically above 30m. Additionally, the calls aren’t random but exhibit distinct behavioral and spatial patterns. Their low-frequency calls likely serve more than one purpose: from locating mates and rivals, to coordinating movements, and even signalling feeding opportunities. In regions like Baja California Sur, where blue whales migrate every year, their acoustics are like a secret theatre beneath the waves.

Humpback Whale Songs: The Ocean’s Songwriters

Humpback whales are perhaps the most famous for their vocalisations. Male humpback whales’ songs are long and complex; they can last for minutes or even hours. Their songs serve multiple roles — for attracting mates, for social bonding, and likely for navigation and group coordination.

What’s remarkable is their adaptability: studies have been made to show humpbacks can adjust the source level of their songs in response to environmental noise (wind or shipping vessels). A phenomenon known as the Lombard effect². This shows their communication is not static — but changes with conditions, reinforcing how sound is a vital part of their lives.

Besides their majestic singing, humpbacks are also a favorite for whale watchers because of their acrobatic breaches. Imagine seeing a 30+ ton whale propel itself clear of the water before landing with an almighty splash!

Gray Whales: Moans, Clicks, and Migration Messages

Gray whales, while perhaps less studied than humpback whale song, do have a rich and varied acoustic repertoire. Their calls have been described as rumbles, growls, chirps, clicks, and bubble blasts³. Noises vary according to behavioural context — such as migration, feeding, or breeding.

During migration, low-frequency moans dominate, suggesting a potential signalling of movement or location. Their use of sound in coastal and migratory habitats means they often communicate within human-noisy environments, which may influence their calling behavior.

Beyond Listening: Can We Talk to Whales?

According to an article from The New Yorker, scientists have pushed the boundaries of whale communication by exploring the possibility of two-way interaction⁴. In a project spanning marine biology, linguistics, and AI — Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) — researchers are attempting to decode the “phonetic alphabet” of sperm whales, using machine learning and extensive acoustic recordings. While sperm whales differ from baleen whales (blue, humpback, gray) in many ways, the underlying idea — that whales have structured, meaningful vocal systems — is relevant across species. It opens the door to imagining a deeper connection: not just hearing whales, but understanding them.

Whale songs and calls are more than background noise — they’re the threads of an unseen network of communication that spans oceans. For travellers in places like Baja California Sur, every whale spout and tail-fluke might also carry a message. A signal. A purpose.

Whale Songs: Experience the Baja Ultimate Whales

Hearing about whale songs is one thing — but witnessing them in person is something else entirely. Join Baja Expeditions’ Baja Ultimate Whales adventure to experience these ocean giants up close. From haunting humpback songs to the friendly greetings of gray whales, every encounter tells a story.