Some mornings, the glint of sunlight on the sea transforms the world into shimmering magic—especially along the ragged coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador, where surprises surface with the turning tide. One such surprise is Greg, a cheerful lad of a humpback, whose comings and goings keep locals guessing where he’ll wander next.

It was a balmy July day in 2025 when Greg made a splashy appearance off Twillingate. The air was salted and the capelin were running, drawing whales and seabirds alike into a frenzied midday feast. Greg, robust and lively, was spotted gliding through the turquoise waters, his flukes leaving swirls in his wake as he dove deep in pursuit of a herring snack.

Just a wink of time later, the summer of 2026 had rolled around. Folks along Cape Bonavista were treated to Greg’s grand return, and he looked none the worse for wear from his long ocean voyage. He surfaced near the jutting red cliffs, exhaling misty plumes under the gulls’ watchful eyes. In these waters, where jellybean houses perch on rocky ledges and the sea is always a shade colder than one remembers, Greg’s presence added an extra layer of delight to the day.

Two years, two sights, and a zigzagging trail—what stories does Greg hold between those visits? The North Atlantic leaves plenty of room for mystery, and old Greg seems to relish every unexplored bit of it.