Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda

History of Bermuda shore whaling, mainly for humpback whales

Bermuda's shore whaling, primarily targeting humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), was a modest and largely unprofitable industry from its inception in the 1600s until the early 20th century. While initial efforts in 1616–17 were unsuccessful, whaling persisted intermittently, with brief periods of reinvigoration but never meeting economic expectations. Humpback whales were common in coastal waters during late winter and spring (March–May), while sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were targeted offshore year-round. Local catches by Bermudian shore whalers likely did not exceed a few tens of whales annually, with humpbacks dominating the catch. Though a small number of long-distance voyages departed from Bermuda in the 1780s for distant whaling grounds, the industry remained small-scale compared to other regions. This study reconstructs Bermuda's whaling history, highlighting its limited scale and economic challenges despite strategic positioning.