Some whales appear and vanish like old friends at a kitchen door. When the South Coast sun hung low back in July of 1975, Jena swept through the cool North Atlantic, leaving whispers in her wake. Only the gulls and the rolling sea bore witness, and then—poof—she slipped right back into the depths of mystery.
The years drifted by, whole generations of capelin danced and vanished, and it wasn't until July 2007 that Jena popped up in Witless Bay. For over three decades, folks could only imagine where she'd been—maybe spinning under icebergs or learning the secret handshake of a distant pod. Ten years later, there she was again in Witless Bay, catching the summer light on her back, a sight to stir the soul of anyone lucky enough to be watching.
In May 2018, a ripple of excitement spread through Aspen Cove in Smith Sound. Jena had swung by, no doubt drawing curious eyes by land and by sea. And then, in true international style, she turned up in the Bay of Samaná, far to the south in the Dominican Republic the following March. Imagine her gliding through turquoise waters, enjoying the winter sun while Newfoundland shivered beside its woodstoves.
With the turn of the seasons, August and September of 2025 saw Jena return to Bonavista’s wild coast—the sort of visit that makes a person double-check they’re not dreaming. After more than forty years of vanishing acts and surprise encores, Jena’s story is a celebration of the unexpected.
Have you seen Jena? If she’s passed by your cove or breached before your binoculars, share your sightings and photos. Every note adds a verse to Jena’s tale and helps fill gaps in what we know about humpback wanderings and migrations.
Humpback whales like Jena travel thousands of kilometres each year—their journeys stretch from the icy north around Newfoundland to the warm Caribbean seas, proving that wanderlust isn’t just a human thing!
South Coast of, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 1, 1975
Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 10, 2007
Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 25, 2017
Aspen Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
May 21, 2018
This is Happywhale's real data for this whale. The story above was generated based on these details, and a few creative assumptions.
Now that you've met Jena, introduce them to your friends! Share this page directly below or to post as a social media story. Use #HelloHumpbackNL in your post to stay connected to all the other whale stories from Newfoundland and Labrador's coasts.
Get a printable version of this story.
By submitting to Happywhale, your sighting can become part of Jena's data. Not only will it make their story richer for the next time they're spotted, but you'll become part of a global citizen science effort to better understand our oceans and the humpback whales that call them home.
