Chris Fallows Photographs 299 Humpback Whales in South African Supergroup
South African photographer Chris Fallows, renowned for his black-and-white images of great white sharks, documented a rare gathering of 299 humpback whales off the coast near Cape Town on December 30, 2025. Fallows and his wife Monique counted the individuals by photographing their tail flukes, which have unique markings. The event, described as a "supergroup," reflects the recovery of humpback populations from 10,000 in the southern hemisphere at whaling's peak to over 100,000 today, following an international hunting ban in 1986. Fallows compared the sight to a "Manhattan skyline" of whale breath plumes. His iconic photo "Air Jaws," a film image of a breaching great white shark, previously established his reputation. The supergroup phenomenon off South Africa's coast began in 2011 as whale numbers rebounded.
Key facts
- Chris Fallows photographed 299 humpback whales on December 30, 2025.
- The sighting occurred about 100 kilometers north of Cape Town.
- Fallows and his wife Monique counted whales using tail fluke photographs.
- Humpback supergroups have appeared off South Africa since 2011.
- Southern hemisphere humpback population recovered from 10,000 to over 100,000.
- International whale hunting ban was enacted in 1986.
- Fallows is known for his great white shark photo 'Air Jaws'.
- 'Air Jaws' was shot on film and helped launch his career.
Entities
Artists
- Chris Fallows
- Monique Fallows
Institutions
- Associated Press
- 60 Minutes
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Cape Town
- South Africa