Blue Whale Bong
Water pipes & bongs
by Hemper
Blue Whale Bong by Hemper
The Blue Whale Bong is a themed glass water pipe from Hemper that filters smoke through a built-in showerhead percolator for noticeably cooler, smoother draws. Shaped like a cartoon blue whale — complete with tail, fins, and a cheeky spout — it's one of those pieces that sits on a shelf looking like a novelty ornament until someone fills it with water and sparks the bowl. Available in two compact sizes (6.5" and 6.25"), it's built for daily sessions without hogging your entire desk.
Which Size Should You Pick?
The difference between the two variants is minimal — we're talking a quarter-inch. The 6.5" version (HS2396) sits just slightly taller, giving you a fraction more water volume in the base chamber. The 6.25" (HS2397) is marginally more compact. Functionally, both hit the same way. If you're choosing between them, go with whichever shape or colour variant catches your eye. Neither is going to outperform the other in any meaningful way.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hemper |
| Material | Glass (borosilicate) |
| Height (variant 1) | 6.5 inches / approx. 16.5 cm |
| Height (variant 2) | 6.25 inches / approx. 15.9 cm |
| Percolator type | Showerhead |
| Joint type | Standard female joint |
| Use | Dried herb |
| Design | Blue whale novelty shape |
| Includes | Bong, removable bowl piece |
Complete your setup with a proper grinder — evenly ground herb burns more consistently in a bowl this size. A set of pipe cleaners or small bottle brushes will also save you grief when it's time to clean out the percolator chamber. If you're after a different aesthetic, have a look at the rest of Hemper's novelty bong range for more conversation starters.
Why the Blue Whale Bong Earns Its Spot on Your Shelf
Most novelty bongs look fun and hit like a toy. The showerhead percolator inside this whale changes that equation. Water gets forced through multiple small slits at the base of the downstem, breaking the smoke into dozens of tiny bubbles. More surface area in contact with water means more cooling and more filtration before the smoke reaches your lungs. The result is a draw that feels noticeably less harsh than a straight-tube piece of the same size.
At roughly 16.5 cm tall, this isn't a party centrepiece — it's a personal-use piece. That's actually a strength. Smaller bongs are easier to handle, quicker to clean, and less likely to get knocked off a table by someone's elbow. The compact size also means less stale smoke sitting in the chamber between hits, so each pull tastes fresher. We've found that pieces under 20 cm tend to deliver more flavour per hit than their taller counterparts, simply because the smoke travels a shorter distance and spends less time cooling to the point where terpenes dissipate.
The honest limitation: glass novelty bongs are inherently more fragile than a simple beaker or straight tube. The whale's fins and tail are decorative extensions of the glass body, and they'll be the first things to chip if you're careless. Treat it like what it is — a glass sculpture that you smoke out of — and it'll last. Toss it in a backpack and you're asking for trouble. A padded bong bag is worth the investment if you plan to travel with it.
How to Use the Blue Whale Bong
- Fill the bong with water through the mouthpiece (the whale's blowhole, naturally). You want the water level to sit about 1–2 cm above the slits of the showerhead percolator. Too much water and you'll get splashback; too little and the percolator can't do its job.
- Grind your dried herb to a medium consistency — not powder-fine, not chunky. You want airflow through the bowl, not a clogged pack.
- Pack the removable bowl piece loosely. Don't tamp it down hard. A light pack lets air pull through evenly, which means a smoother hit and less risk of pulling ash through the downstem.
- Place your lips inside the mouthpiece opening, not over it. Create a seal with your lips, not your jaw.
- Light the edge of the bowl — not the centre — and inhale slowly. You should see bubbles forming in the water chamber as the showerhead percolator does its work. A slow, steady draw produces cooler smoke than a hard pull.
- Once the chamber is filled with milky smoke, lift the bowl piece out of the joint to clear the chamber in one breath.
- Exhale. Reload or set it down. After your session, pour out the water. Standing water goes stale within hours and starts to smell within a day.
