It’s a fantastic start to the year for marine wildlife sightings, with some incredible humpback whales already reported around the UK.

Within the first few days of the year, a humpback whale was spotted breaching along the Sussex coastline, all the way from Hastings to Eastbourne. Those lucky enough to catch a glimpse were in for a rare treat, as sightings along the Eastern English Channel are uncommon. The South West of England tends to see more frequent visits, particularly during the winter months, with recent sightings around Newquay and the Isles of Scilly.

Breaching is a truly spectacular sight to behold, when a whale leaps belly-up into the air, creating a thunderous splash as it crashes back into the water. This impressive display is believed to be a form of communication between whales, allowing them to connect with each other across vast distances. It’s a signature behaviour of humpback whales, which are often referred to as one of the most acrobatic cetacean species.