Fluking Around with Humpbacks

Scholarship available for this class:

Yes

Apply Here

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Registration opens:

May 15, 2026

Seats available

Class Cost:

$1395

Dive deep into the world of humpback whales with this brand new Whale U offering! Over 8 weeks of virtual sessions we will explore topics such as feeding strategies, calving, the “Humpback Comeback”, acoustics, and entanglements as well as learning to draw humpback whales. The class will also include back-to-back all-day whale watch trips focused on looking for the larger humpback aggregations that tend to form in the fall.

Seats available:

Full seats $1395 (includes two all-day boat trips) -Payment Plan available here-

Virtual only seats at $495 (includes a class T-shirt but not the two all-day trips)

Confirmed guest experts include:

Erin Gless speaking about humpback whale natural history
Rhonda Reidy speaking about humpback feeding behaviors
Jenn Tackaberry speaking about entanglements
Fred Sharpe speaking about acoustics
Sara Shimazu teaching us to draw humpbacks

Included in the class:

8 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions with OBI staff

2 All-day boat trips with your instructors

Access to a private Discord server to connect with instructors and build community with other participants

Commemorative class T-shirt

No previous knowledge is necessary! All we ask is that you bring your attention and willingness to learn.

Student Testimonials for other Whale U classes:

"Whale University is an incredible opportunity for citizen scientists at any experience level. You will gain access to and learn from leaders in the field while building valuable community with your classmates (who love whales just as much as you do). You can participate as much as you like, sharing is encouraged but not forced, and the courses are designed to inspire open discussion."

"This class helped me find significant joy within my life. It was my first experience with others who are passionate about the same thing I am! It felt like a real community which was a pleasant surprise. This class gave me the opportunity to determine which routes within this field really interested me, as well as gave me the confidence to pursue those things fully! I am so incredibly thankful that I found OBI, and I plan on taking classes through this organization for the foreseeable figure to continue to expand my knowledge!"

"To say this experience was life changing is an understatement! Not only did I grow immensely during this course, I also had the absolute privilege of watching my classmates advance as well. Monika has built this amazing curriculum to educate and encourage citizen scientists to contribute to our community."

Will the sessions be recorded?

Yes, each session will be recorded for later viewing in case you can't attend live or want to review any of the material.

Will there be homework or projects related to this class?

Each virtual session will be paired with a paper for suggested reading that will supplement the information shared by the speaker each night and help inform discussion. There is no class presentation component for this class.

Is there a virtual-only version of this class?

Yes. We have six virtual-only seats available for $495 each. This price includes a class t-shirt but does not cover the two all-day trips.

Do you offer a payment plan and how do I sign up?

Splitting the class fee into three equal payments of $478.49, spaced two months apart, is also an option (only available for full seats). An additional 2.9% fee per payment has already been included in the price to cover transaction fees. You can visit our payment plan page HERE