scubaseason

Bryde's Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Sighting evidence at Banks Bay, Fernandina Island

Bryde's whales are occasional visitors to the productive mixing zone at Banks Bay, drawn by the dense baitball aggregations that form when upwelling and surface currents converge. Encounters are rare but remarkable — these medium-sized baleen whales are less shy than blue or fin whales and occasionally approach vessels and divers directly. Sightings are most likely during the transition months (May and November) when oceanographic conditions shift and prey concentrations are highest at the bay's entrance.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Bryde's Whale is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites