Near the coast of Pemuteran, a local fisherman captured on video a sperm whale surfacing and diving close to the shore. The video circulated on social media and even surprised long-time residents.
Gede Setiabudi, a lecturer from the Marine Science Department at the Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha), explained that such visitors are rare for North Bali and this does not represent a stable migration route.
“The northern coast of Bali is essentially a dead end, being open only from the east. Most likely, the whales were simply passing by and do not follow a permanent route here,” he said. According to Setiabudi, sperm whales are regularly encountered in Indonesian waters, but more often in the Savu Sea, off the coasts of Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.
The whale might have come so close to shore due to sudden changes in water temperature or a storm. “It's storm season now; it’s possible it temporarily separated from its group,” Setiabudi added.
Other potential factors mentioned by experts include underwater sonars — powerful sound systems on ships. For whales, which navigate the ocean by sound, such signals can be a source of stress and disorientation.
The animal's behavior in the video was not alarming. “A highly raised tail is a typical movement of a sperm whale before a deep dive,” Setiabudi explained. Before diving, the whale paused at the surface for a few seconds to catch its breath — this is normal behavior before going deep to search for food.
The appearance of a sperm whale off the coast of Pemuteran served as a reminder of how vibrant and unpredictable the waters of northern Bali remain. The region is still away from mass tourism, but it is here that such quiet encounters with wildlife sometimes occur — without shows, tourist boats, or pre-planned routes.
If you also wish to explore North Bali and see places rarely visited by tourists, the MyBaliTrips team can help organize a route tailored to your needs — with comfort, reliable guides, and attention to detail.
Source: nusabali, denpasarviral
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