Some summer mornings, the fog on Newfoundland and Labrador’s coast hangs so thick that even the gulls seem to wait for the curtain to lift. But for Ryan, a determined and spirited humpback, that’s just an invitation to explore another day.

Back in August 2018, Ryan was quite the traveller. She zigzagged between the chilly shallows off Horse Chops, Catalina, and the emerald inlets near Green Bay. Locals whispered of a big splash here, a gleaming back there, as she made her rounds, never in one spot too long. Then, as all good stories do, things took a twist—come springtime 2019, word was she’d been spotted swimming the cold, misty waters of Eyjafjörður, Iceland. Imagine that journey, crossing the wide Atlantic, just to see what was on the other side!

Ryan wasn’t one to linger. After her Icelandic adventure, she vanished from sight, leaving behind nothing but questions and hopes. Just when folks wondered if she’d found a new favourite bay, July 2022 brought news: Mobile Bay delivered the tiniest ripple that turned into a huge collective smile—Ryan was back!

In 2024, she was seen rolling through Witless Bay and Bay Bulls, her fluke a familiar sight for those lucky enough to be watching. July 2025 found her entering Lower Cove Head, still reminding everyone that some whales like to keep us guessing. Not long after, July 2026 saw her passing through Bay Bulls once more—perhaps chasing capelin or just enjoying the high summer sun.