Humpback Whales, Falmouth, Cornwall pictures Pendennis

The three Humpback Whales were spotted in Falmouth Bay yesterday afternoon and the news spread like wildfire on social media with hundreds of people turning up on The Point to try and get a glimpse of the whales.

Pictures of the whale were captured by award winning wildlife photography student Ben Hancock-Smith.

The whale was captured breaching by wildlife photographer Ben Hancock-Smith (Image: Ben Hancock-Smith)

He told the Packet that over 300 people were there watching the whales.

“I had been standing on the point with a few friends watching the whale,” he said. “It had blown a couple times in the same area and had not surfaced.

Hundreds of people gathered on Pendennis Point to catch a sight of the whales (Image: Luke Stoppard)

“So was aiming with my camera in the general direction where I thought it would be waiting to see if it would come up or possibly breach, which it did whilst I was looking through my camera and was able to capture a sequence of shots of that moment.”

Ben captured the moment the whale fell back into the sea (Image: Ben Hancock-Smith)

Another student was also watching the whales Finley Hutchinson. He posted on X:

"After dipping twice at Newquay a couple days ago, it was incredible to have 3 Humpback Whales just offshore in Falmouth Bay today, the first initially spotted by Luke Stoppard.

"About 300 people shared in the spectacle before it got too dark to see them!"

After dipping twice at Newquay a couple days ago, it was incredible to have 3 Humpback Whales just offshore in Falmouth Bay today, the first initially spotted by @LukeStoppard. About 300 people shared in the spectacle before it got too dark to see them! pic.twitter.com/I8EXOtWJVu

— Finley Hutchinson (@FinleyHutchins2) February 22, 2024

The whale launches itself from the sea (Image: Ben Hancock-Smith)

Luke Stoppard, also posting on X ,said: "When I popped down to Pendennis Point with my parents this afternoon for a little walk, I wasn't expecting to find a Humpback Whale! It got even better when it was joined by another two! All three showed very well until dusk. They certainly drew a crowd!"

One of the whales was also pictured off St Anthony's lighthouse by another student wildlife photographer Luke Stoppard (Image: Luke Stoppard)

When I popped down to Pendennis Point with my parents this afternoon for a little walk, I wasn't expecting to find a Humpback Whale! It got even better when it was joined by another two! All three showed very well until dusk. They certainly drew a crowd! @MarineWatchSU pic.twitter.com/aFL1ScqZkA

— Luke Stoppard (@LukeStoppard) February 22, 2024

Humpback Whales have a lifespan of 45 – 50 years with the female growing up to 16 metres while the male can grow to 14m in length.

Whales have been returning to Cornwall’s waters recently with the number being spotted increasing.

Also returning to our water after an absence of many decades is blue fin Tuna which were once prolific in our water.

It’s also been a bumper time for Dolphins with thousands using in the sea off Falmouth.