Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Most Convincingly-Real Whales Ever

Posted by Alex Turnbull, Tuesday, 18th December 2007

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars

In the past we’ve posted several people’s submissions of what they thought were whales, which might have been captured on the satellite imagery of Google Earth whilst nearing the surface of the open sea.

In most cases however, our ever-attentive readers have presented compelling evidence that these submissions couldn’t actually be whales.

So when Rick Edwards directed us just west of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to see two separate pods of three whales, you could imagine we would be a little sceptical. However, the apparent visibility of tailfins on the larger ‘whales’ piqued our interest somewhat…

We pressed a little further, checking possible species, sizes, breeding patterns and migratory behaviour, and… well, we wouldn’t have posted it if we didn’t think there was a strong possibility this could be the only definite sighting of whales out at sea1 on the whole of Google Earth.


  1. The only other possibly real sighting of whales was in very shallow waters by the shore - the chances of finding whales further out at sea is far smaller. 

13 Responses to 'Most Convincingly-Real Whales Ever'

  1. 1. rob says:

    Hmm, they are about 50 feet long, so definitely big enough!

  2. 2. Cookie monster says:

    I can definitely see Whales in this shot!

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    Thank you! I’ll be here all week! Try the chicken and dont forget to tip the waitress!

  3. 3. rob says:

    This sight is bound to create a splash, but I just want to take the opportunity to say Merry Christmas everybody. Whatever you are doing, make sure you have a whale of a time.

    Thats all I’ve got to say.

    Fin.

  4. 4. Jens says:

    I’m Sold, Amazing find

  5. 5. Lee says:

    Rob & Cookie, your humour makes baby jesus cry =[

  6. 6. Lee says:

    It’s quite amazing that the two lines seen off the coast are actually these massive Cruise Ships.

  7. 7. rob says:

    Well, you have to have the odd pun once in a whale.

  8. 8. sutch says:

    The poximity, size and direction of the objects just to the Northwest (Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth) make me believe that there may be two more whales.

  9. 9. Wyn says:

    Awesome find! The most convincing whales yet. But technically, it is not two pods of three whales as you state. It is a single pod of at least 6 (there may be more below the surface). The maximum length is around 14.0 metres, which makes me think they may be Gray Whales, and the date (17th September) suggests they are migrating south for the winter.

  10. 10. Chris W says:

    Awesome find guys, and thanks Rick Edwards, they’re definitely whales this time; such beautiful animals.

  11. 11. Ben says:

    Ok, now find a rabbit

  12. 12. ernest says:

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    There are other whales spot in the same area. Just a bit more NW

    3 groups of whales, or one group and three photos ?

    Another group :
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    and what is this one ?
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  13. Google Sightseeing Admin
    13. Alex says:

    A rabbit ben? Easy peasy!

Leave a Reply

This form will auto-link URLs or you can use simple HTML, <a href="http://googlesightseeing.com">Like this</a>.

Link to specific places either as a Google Maps page or a decimal latitude and longitude written like this: lat/lng:55.949400,-3.200000.

If you've found an unrelated sight that you think should be posted in its own entry then use the suggestion form!