Fin whales are capable of swimming at exceptionally high speeds. Their normal cruising speed ranges between 10 and 15 km/h, but they can reach speeds of up to 37 km/h for short bursts, particularly when feeding. They are frequently observed alone or in small groups of two to seven individuals. Occasionally, they associate with dolphins and pilot whales, and may also form feeding aggregations with other whale species. Their vocalisations include songs composed of single pulses, which are among the loudest biological sounds in the ocean and can be detected hundreds of kilometres away.

Fin whales can live for up to 90 years. Females typically reach sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age, while males mature between 5 and 7 years. Calving generally occurs every two years, with females giving birth to a single calf. Males are believed to compete for access to females during the breeding season. In some regions outside the Mediterranean Sea, fin whales have occasionally been known to interbreed with blue whales, producing hybrid offspring.

Historically, fin whales were heavily hunted by commercial whalers, which drastically reduced their populations. Although commercial whaling is no longer their primary threat, and limited hunting still occurs in parts of the North Atlantic under the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) aboriginal subsistence whaling regulations, fin whales are now most frequently reported as victims of vessel collisions. As a result, they are considered one of the whale species most vulnerable to ship strikes.

Underwater noise pollution, particularly from military sonar and seismic surveys, can disrupt normal whale behaviour and drive individuals away from areas critical for feeding and survival. Additional threats include entanglement in fishing gear, overfishing of their prey species, and the ingestion of microplastics.