Whales You Can See in Antarctica

Whale watching is hands down one of the top activities on all our voyages. How could it not be? The Antarctic Peninsula is a prime zone for spotting these giants of the sea, and with its endless vistas and exquisite bays, it’s heaven! A variety of species are seen throughout the year, with February and March being the peak months. Would you like to discover which whale species you might encounter on your next expedition?

Orca

One of the crown jewels of Antarctic wildlife is the top of the food chain, the staggeringly beautiful and intelligent orca. Also known as “killer whales,” “sea-wolves,” or by their cuddlier name, “sea-pandas,” may seem familiar and friendly, but these pack-hunting giantess are ferocious and cunning, capable of killing their prey with careful strategy and astounding group effort. Identifiable by their distinct black and white coloring, Orca can sometimes be seen on our voyages, enjoying flipper-slapping, breaching and other show-stopping moves.

Orca sighted at the waters close to Pleneau Island and Port Charcot

Humpback Whales

The real show-offs of Antarctica are the Humpback whales. They are very curious, and it’s not uncommon for them to come and investigate our inflatable Zodiac boats. We are careful to always keep a safe and respectful distance from these majestic creatures, but sometimes they have other ideas! Known for their astonishing acrobatics, we regularly see them breaching, lob-tailing and slapping the water, putting on quite the show. Look for the accentuated hump in front of their dorsal fin.

A Humpback waves hello in Bransfield Strait

Minke Whale

The elusive Minke Whales are graceful and elegant, their sleek backs peeking out as they glide just under the surface of the sea. Minkes are filter-feeding cetaceans, the smallest species of Baleen whales, still weighing in at 7-10 tons! They are curious creatures and are frequently seen around the pack ice.

The name “minke” means “winged whale” or “sharp snout.”

Southern Right Whales

Named because in early whaling times they were the “right” baleen to capture, Southern Right whales were desired due to the fact that they were considered the easiest to kill due to their proximity to shore and slower speed. Less streamlined than other species, they are known to perform mesmerizing tail waves (which Northern Right whales curiously can’t do) and have large bulbous heads covered in callosities, which is a lovely mix of barnacles, worms, and lice.

Southern Right Whales are circumpolar, seen throughout the entire Southern Hemisphere

Other Whale Species

During your voyage to Antarctica, you may also be lucky enough to catch sight of Fin whales, Sei whales, Sperm whales, and *gasp* perhaps even the rarely-seen Blue whale. As we explore this amazing and remote region we are at the whims of these spectacular animals, so while sightings aren’t guaranteed, our deep knowledge of the area allows us to know the right places to visit to make your encounter experience with them all the more likely. So, make sure you have lots of room on your camera, stand at the ready, and prepare yourself for some of the most astonishing moments of your expedition with Polar Latitudes Expeditions!