Whales do not purposely drown themselves. ... Beached whales may face a similar predicament. As tides rise, water may cover and enter the whale's blowhole, causing it to drown before the water becomes deep enough for it to swim away.

Do whales die of old age or drown themselves?

Yes, whales die of old age. Whales live a lot longer than most mammals, but each species of whale lives for a different amount of time. Some of them even have longer lifespans than humans.

Do whales die if they stop swimming?

It is actually rare for a marine mammal to "drown," as they won't inhale underwater; but they do suffocate from a lack of air. Being born underwater can cause problems for newborn whale and dolphin calves.