Narwhals in the Arctic | Facts, Myths and Where to Spot Them

Often called the 'unicorn of the sea,' the narwhal is one of the Arctic’s most mysterious creatures. With a long, spiralled tusk that has inspired centuries of myth and legend, this elusive whale continues to fascinate scientists and explorers alike.

Narwhals inhabit the remote, icy waters of the Arctic, places few people ever see. Encountering one in the wild is a rare privilege, and for travellers heading into the polar regions, it is among the most remarkable wildlife experiences possible.

What is a narwhal?

Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are among the most unusual marine mammals on Earth. They are closely related to beluga whales, sharing a similar body shape and the absence of a dorsal fin, both adaptations for life in ice-covered seas. More reserved than belugas, narwhals produce fewer types of sounds and tend to be quieter and shyer, preferring deep fjords and offshore waters.

Built for extreme Arctic conditions, their mottled grey skin provides camouflage among shifting ice and dark waters. A thick layer of blubber insulates them from freezing temperatures, and their streamlined bodies help them move efficiently beneath the surface. 

They can dive to depths of around 1,800 metres and hold their breath for more than 20 minutes, giving them access to deep-water feeding grounds beneath the ice. Short, rounded flippers and flexible necks allow them to manoeuvre in tight spaces where few other animals can go.

But what truly sets the narwhal apart is its extraordinary tusk, an adaptation that has puzzled scientists, fuelled myths, and deserves a more in-depth look.

The narwhal tusk

Often mistaken for a horn, the tusk is actually an elongated upper left canine that grows straight through the upper lip. In males, it can reach up to three metres and weigh more than seven kilograms. Some individuals have two tusks, though this is rare, and in even more unusual cases, females grow a single tusk, too.

For centuries, the purpose of the tusk remained a mystery. Early European explorers traded them as unicorn horns, believing they had magical or medicinal properties. In medieval Europe, narwhal tusks could be worth more than their weight in gold. Modern research has revealed the tusk functions as a sensory organ, containing millions of nerve endings.

Studies suggest narwhals may use it to detect changes in temperature, salinity and pressure in the water. This could help them locate prey or navigate complex environments. Drone footage has even captured narwhals gently tapping fish with their tusks, likely to disorient them before feeding.

While it might look like a weapon, the idea that narwhals use their tusks for fighting is largely a myth. Males sometimes cross tusks in what appears to be playful sparring, however these interactions seem more ritual than aggressive. The tusk may play a role in dominance or courtship displays, but it is not a weapon in the way many once imagined.

Where narwhals live in the Arctic

Narwhals inhabit a vast part of the high Arctic, ranging across northern Canada, Greenland and, in much smaller numbers, Svalbard, with their core range including Baffin Bay, Davis Strait and the waters off East and West Greenland. 

Their preference for icy environments makes them one of the most habitat-specialised whales on the planet. Their range shifts seasonally, based on food availability, calving grounds and ice conditions.

In summer, narwhals migrate closer to shore, moving into coastal fjords and bays with open water and feeding grounds. These shallower areas, often less than 50 metres deep, are typically ice-free and rich in fish and squid. As autumn approaches, narwhals gradually head offshore, back to deep waters beneath thick pack ice.

In winter, narwhals live in some of the most extreme marine conditions on Earth, often in waters where sea ice cover exceeds 95%. They rely on cracks in the ice for breathing. These openings are not always visible from the surface and can be separated by more than a kilometre. Year after year, narwhales return to the same seasonal grounds, showing strong site fidelity.

Narwhal behaviour

Narwhals' feeding habits, communication and social bonds are finely adapted to an ice-dominated environment. 

Conservation and threats

The narwhal is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 123,000 to 170,000 mature individuals worldwide. Despite this, they face challenges that could affect their long-term survival.

Climate change is a major threat. Warming temperatures and shifting ice patterns are changing where and when narwhals can surface to breathe. In winter, they depend on small cracks and openings in thick sea ice, but rapid freeze-thaw cycles can close these off, increasing the risk of ice entrapment. Human activity adds to the pressure. Noise from shipping, oil exploration and seismic surveys can interfere with narwhal communication.

Hunting is another concern for narwhal conservation. These animals are harvested in both Greenland and Canada, where they have long been a part of Indigenous subsistence traditions. In most regions, hunting is regulated, but the pressure on the species is severe.

Surveys in Ittoqqortoormiit, East-Greenland, show that numbers have fallen from about 1,900 animals in 2008 to roughly 400 in 2016. Scientists warn that without stronger protection, some of these local populations could disappear entirely.

Globally, narwhals are not endangered, but certain populations are on the edge. Their future depends on reducing hunting pressure and human disturbances, and on safeguarding sea-ice access and migration routes in the face of climate change to ensure these animals can keep thriving.

Where to see narwhals in Svalbard and Greenland

Spotting a narwhal in the wild is never guaranteed, as they spend most of their lives far from human activity, in deep waters and often beneath dense sea ice. For those drawn to the far north, some places offer a better chance than others.

Narwhals in Svalbard

Narwhals are rarely seen in Svalbard. Even on summer expeditions that venture north into the pack ice, sightings are extremely uncommon. 

Narwhals in Greenland

Greenland, especially the remote east coast, offers more favourable conditions. Secret Atlas voyages to Scoresbysund and North-East Greenland National Park pass through areas where narwhals have been observed in recent years. While encounters are not frequent, they do happen.

Small-ship expedition narwhal cruises are the most practical way to reach narwhal habitat in Greenland. The coastline is vast, roadless and largely uninhabited, with deep fjords and ice-choked passages that rule out larger vessels. Smaller ships with experienced guides can navigate these waters more carefully, adjusting routes based on ice conditions and recent wildlife activity. That flexibility matters when searching for animals as unpredictable as narwhals.

Most narwhal-focused sailings in East Greenland run during the summer months, when sea ice retreats enough to allow passage into the fjord systems. This is also when narwhals move into shallower coastal waters to feed, making surface sightings more likely. A narwhal voyage built around wildlife observation rather than port stops gives travellers extended time in these remote areas, which is often the difference between a brief glimpse and a meaningful encounter.

At Secret Atlas, voyages to Scoresbysund and North-East Greenland are designed with this kind of experience in mind. With a maximum of 12 guests and expedition teams who know these waters well, the focus stays on the environment and the wildlife within it, not on rushing between destinations.

Conclusion

As Arctic conditions continue to shift, narwhals are increasingly seen as indicators of broader ecological change. Their reliance on sea ice, sensitivity to underwater noise, and specialised diet make them vulnerable to disruption, and valuable for monitoring the health of polar ecosystems. 

Long-term research has tracked their movements, diving behaviour, and even the chemistry of their tusks to follow changes in food webs and rising mercury levels, offering a clearer view of how climate change and industrial activity are transforming the region.

Protecting the Arctic is essential not only for the survival of narwhals but also for preserving one of the last truly wild and unspoiled regions on Earth.