Migrating individuals usually submerge for four or five minutes and then surface to blow three to five times. The spout rises to a height of about 300 cm. The tail flukes usually appear above the water just before a deep dive but not before a shallow dive. The gray whale often seems to play in heavy surf and in shallow water along the shore, sometimes throwing itself clear of the water and falling back on its back or side. It occasionally becomes stranded in less than 1 meter of water but refloats on the next tide, without injury.
Visual stimuli appear to be involved in orientation during migration.
A variety of sounds has been reported, including grunts, groans, rumbles, whistles, and clicks. Water and organisms are sucked into the mouth, and then the water is forced out, leaving the food trapped within the baleen. Other crustaceans, certain mollusks and worms, and small fish are also eaten. It usually migrates alone or in groups of 2-3, though sometimes up to 16 travel together. Moreover, there is segregation by age and sex during migrations.