Southern right whales spotted off Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina coasts

The 2026 whale season has seen significant activity along the Brazilian coast, including rare sightings in Rio de Janeiro. In September, a Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), measuring approximately 15 meters and weighing 40 tons, was spotted jumping near the sand at Leblon Beach. The Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (Maqua) at UERJ identified the animal, noting that juveniles or adult males often explore northern coastal inlets seeking calmer waters.

In Santa Catarina, sightings remain frequent in areas such as Itapoá. The reproductive season for Southern right whales typically runs from July to November, peaking in September, as females migrate to southern Brazilian waters to nurse calves. Local observers and groups have documented multiple sightings during this period.