Whales of the Arctic | A Guide to Viewing Giants Around Svalbard and Greenland
Why Arctic whales are vital for ocean health, climate balance, and unforgettable wildlife encounters
Whales are at the very heart of the ocean ecosystem, playing a vital role in maintaining its health and balance. Their presence contributes to nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and the support of biodiversity. Through a process known as the ‘whale pump’, whales feed in deep waters and release nutrients like nitrogen and iron near the surface through their excrements, effectively redistributing these essential elements. This promotes the growth of phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food web, which also produces a significant portion of the world’s oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide, aiding in climate regulation.
Not only are Arctic whales crucial to the ocean, but they are also a source of wonder for those lucky enough to encounter them. Picture a humpback whale breaching against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, its massive body soaring from the water in a display of sheer power and grace.
Moments like these make for unforgettable experiences and are one of the many highlights an Arctic expedition can offer.
Discover Svalbard and Greenland for yourself...
Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
A frozen fairytale of iceberg-strewn fjords, snowy peaks, and puzzle-piece sea ice – as animals take their first steps following winter.
- 12 guests
- — days
Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise Lite
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Our compact early-season adventure packs in all the highlights of Svalbard in just a short space of time – with no fear of missing out.
- 12 guests
- — days
Svalbard Summer Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Set sail in summer, when Svalbard blooms with life, the best time to spot wildlife in Europe’s last great wilderness.
- 12 guests
- 10 days
Svalbard Summer Micro Cruise Lite
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Witness Svalbard alive with wildlife on this specially curated Expedition Micro Cruise, exploring the archipelago's summer highlights in a shorter time.
- 12 guests
- — days
Svalbard Circumnavigation Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
The big one. As the sea opens up under the midnight sun, take the unique opportunity to circumnavigate Svalbard, Europe’s last great wilderness.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise
76°50'N, 29°99'W
The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise
70°50’N, 25°00’W
An autumn micro cruise to Scoresbysund, East Greenland. For landscape lovers and aurora chasers – the ultimate expedition of Earth and sky.
- 12 guests
- — days
What types of whales are found in the Arctic?
The Arctic hosts a wide variety of whale species, which fall into two main groups:
Toothed whales (odontocetes) and baleen whales (mysticetes). Odontocetes have teeth and use echolocation to navigate and hunt prey such as fish and squid.
Mysticetes have specialised plates made of keratin in their mouths, called “baleen", which function like a sieve, allowing whales to filter-feed on tiny organisms such as krill and plankton.
Some species of whales live year-round in Arctic waters, while others are migratory, travelling to the region during the summer months to feed. Resident species, such as bowhead whales, are adapted to icy waters, while migratory species like humpbacks follow food sources as they move through the Arctic's nutrient-rich waters.
Resident whales of the Arctic
Belugas
Also known as white whales, they are toothed whales about 4-5 metres long. Born grey or brown, they turn white as they mature. Common in Svalbard’s fjords, beluga whales are highly social and vocal, usually living in small pods of 10-20 individuals. In Svalbard, the population is present year-round.
In Greenland, they spend winter and spring on the West coast, but are rare in summer. However, in recent years, sightings have become more frequent in East Greenland, between Ittoqqortoormiit and Tasiilaq.
Narwhals
Known as the ‘unicorns of the sea’ due to their long tusk, narwhals are also toothed whales, about 4-5 metres long. Tusks are most commonly found in males: some individuals may have two, some none at all. While less common, females may also have a tusk. The young are darker and become lighter as they age. In Greenland, they spend the summer in the fjords close to shore, and move out to deeper waters in winter. They are much less common in Svalbard, where they are typically found around the northern and eastern parts of the archipelago.
Bowhead whales
Bowhead whales are uniquely adapted to icy conditions, using their massive skulls, padded with thick blubber, to break through sea ice. They are much bigger than the other two resident species, reaching up to 18 metres in length, with baleen plates up to 4 metres long.
They live year-round in Greenland and Svalbard waters, and their seasonal pattern is ‘up-side-down’ compared with other whales: they go further north in summer and back south in winter. In 2024, on an expedition near the ice edge north of Svalbard, we caught sight of one stealthily gliding through ice floes, and the excitement on board was palpable!
Looking for the best chance to spot whales in the Arctic?
Join one of our Expedition Micro Cruises to Svalbard or Greenland
Migratory whales of the Arctic
Humpback whales
The mighty humpback whale is renowned for its acrobatic breaches and complex, melodic songs, often heard during the mating season. Up to 17 metres long and 40 tons heavy, with long pectoral fins, these giants migrate thousands of miles annually between breeding areas in warmer, tropical seas and feeding grounds in colder waters, such as Greenland and Svalbard.
They use their baleen to feed on krill and small fish using specialised and unique feeding techniques, such as bubble-net feeding.
Minke whales
Possibly the most common baleen whale seen around Svalbard, minke whales reach lengths of 10 metres. They have streamlined bodies with a pointed snout and a distinctive white band on their pectoral fins. Unlike some larger whales, minkes are less acrobatic but are curious and may approach boats.
They have rather stinky breath, which earned them the nickname “stinky minke”: with the right wind direction, you might smell them before you see them!
Blue whales
The largest animals on Earth, blue whales reach lengths over 30 metres. These baleen whales feed primarily on krill, consuming several tons daily through filter feeding.
They can be seen both in Svalbard and Greenland, though they are not very common, as they were nearly driven to extinction before they received protection in 1966. The entire North Atlantic population is currently estimated somewhere between 1000-3000 individuals, but it is slowly recovering.
Fin whales
Fin whales are the second-largest baleen whales, growing up to 26 metres. They are sleek, fast swimmers with a distinctive asymmetrical jaw colouring—white on the right, dark on the left.
They feed on krill, fish, and squid using lunging techniques: they propel themselves through a school of fish or krill with their mouth wide open to catch as many as possible. They are social animals, often travelling in small groups, and use deep, low-frequency vocalisations.
The above are the most commonly seen whales in Svalbard and Greenland waters, but many more species visit these regions: sei whales, orcas (killer whales), sperm whales, pilot whales, and northern bottlenose whales. White-sided dolphins, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises can also be spotted, and yes, dolphins and porpoises are whales, too!
Where and when to see whales in Greenland and Svalbard
Timing and location are key to maximising whale-watching opportunities in the Arctic. The best time to see whales in Greenland and Svalbard is during the summer months, when the ice retreats and food becomes abundant.
Whale watching in Greenland:
Between July and September, you have the best chance of spotting:
Humpback whales
Fin whales
Minke whales
Blue whales
Some of the best locations are near Nuuk and Sisimiut in the South and around Disko Bay. In the west, Ilulissat and Aasiatin and further North in Uummannaq.
In summer, the narwhal's natural habitat includes areas along the East Coast, such as Scoresbysund, Tasiilaq, and Kangerlussuaq. In recent years, bowhead whales have also been observed in West Greenland, in the northern part of Uummannaq Fjord.
Whale watching in Svalbard
Similarly to Greenland, the best season to see whales in Svalbard fjords is between May and September. This is when blue, fin, humpback, and minke whales migrate to the Arctic to feed. Belugas, while present year-round, are much easier to spot in summer, when the sea is ice-free.
Whales can potentially be spotted everywhere around the archipelago, but some locations offer better chances than others. The Isfjorden is a huge fjord that gets as deep as 200-300 metres, which makes it a good feeding ground for many whale species.
Blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, and belugas are frequently observed here. Belugas and minkes can also be spotted in Kongsfjorden, Hornsund and Bellsund. While narwhals and bowheads are rare sightings, the best bet is definitely off the north coasts of the archipelago, close to the ice edge.
How to identify whales
Identifying whales can be challenging, especially since we often only see a small part of the animal above the water. Some species provide clear hints: belugas, with their white colour and tendency to move in pods; narwhals, whose tusks are unmistakable but hard to spot from afar; and bowheads, the only large Arctic whale without a dorsal fin, and characterised by a double-humped back.
Other species, such as blue, fin, and minke whales, can be harder to distinguish since they appear similar from a distance without a clear sense of scale.
However, key details can help:
Fin whales and mike whales (unlike blue whales) typically don’t show their flukes (tails) when diving.
Blue whales have a relatively small dorsal fin positioned far back on their body.
Humpbacks display a fluke with a jagged edge and distinctive white patterns on the underside.
Orcas have a tall, vertical dorsal fin
Sperm whales’ blows tilt forward, unlike the vertical blows of most other species and their head looks unmistakably square from the side.
Capturing photos can greatly help in identifying whales, as the excitement of the moment can often lead to overlooking details. These images offer a reference for comparing the sizes and surfacing behaviours of some common species.
Whale hunting and conservation efforts in Greenland and Svalbard
Indigenous populations in Greenland have hunted whales for subsistence for thousands of years. This was done locally and relatively sustainably until the 17th century, which marked the beginning of the commercial whaling period in Greenland.
In Svalbard, hunting was mainly done at the hands of Dutch and English whalers. Whale blubber was very valuable at the time, as it was turned into oil for lamps or to make soap, while baleens were used in a number of products, such as corsets. The main target was the bowhead whale, which was called the ‘right’ whale because it was the right whale to kill: it swam relatively slowly, floated when dead, and yielded large amounts of oil and baleen. But other species were also hunted, such as the sperm whale.
Within less than two centuries, the impact of whaling on whales was so profound that many populations were driven to the brink of extinction, ultimately contributing to the decline of the commercial activity in the area. Many remains from that period, such as blubber ovens and graves, can still be seen in Svalbard: Smeerenburg (‘Blubber town’), Gravneset, Sallyhamna and Ytre Norskøya are good examples. In West Greenland, some remnants can be found in small villages such as Qeqertarsuaq, Kangerluk, and Ilimanaq in Disko Bay, and Ukiivik in Sydbay.
While less intensive, some whaling continued to some degree until the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned all commercial whaling in 1986 with a moratorium. Since then, whales are protected in Svalbard, but are still hunted in Greenland by indigenous populations. Although the abundance of most species is still far from pre-whaling levels, there are signs of recovery in certain populations, which is reason for hope!
Tips for responsible whale watching
Our goal at Secret Atlas is to provide excellent opportunities for whale watching while ensuring no impact on these gentle giants. Maintaining a respectful distance and avoiding sudden and loud noises is crucial. When it’s safe to do so, we will turn the engines off if whales are nearby.
Learn more about what we do to minimise our impact:
Patience is key with wildlife, and the best approach is to allow the animals to get closer on their terms, which they sometimes do. During one of our expeditions in 2024, we found ourselves on the course of a large pod of belugas in the Isfjorden. We stopped, turned the Zodiac engines off and waited patiently. The whales got closer and closer, and eventually swam all around and beneath us. This was the best encounter most of us ever experienced!
Whale watching is an exciting part of any Arctic adventure, offering a glimpse into the lives of some of the planet’s most extraordinary creatures. By choosing a respectful operator, you can minimise the impact on these vulnerable species, helping ensure that whales can continue to inspire awe for generations to come.
Discover these majestic animals on our Greenland and Svalbard cruises.
FAQS
What is the best time to see whales in the Arctic?
The best time to see whales in the Arctic is in summer, when the sea ice retreats, and food becomes abundant. In Svalbard, this is between May and September; in Greenland, between July and September.
What should I bring on an Arctic whale-watching tour?
Bring a good pair of binoculars for spotting whales, a camera to capture memories and help with identification, and warm, layered clothing to stay comfortable while searching for and observing these amazing animals!
What type of whales can you see in Svalbard?
Svalbard is home to a variety of whale species. Belugas and minke whales are the most common. Humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, fi whales, and blue whales are also spotted frequently during the summer. Narwhals and bowheads are rarer and live close to the ice-edge north of the archipelago.
Do whales get disturbed by expedition ships and tour boats?
Whales rely on sound for communication and hunting, so underwater noise can disturb them. The persistent noise pollution typical of commercial maritime routes has a significant impact; however small expedition ships maintain a respectful distance, minimise noise, and limit time near the animals don’t constitute a major nuisance.
Are narwhals easy to spot in Greenland?
In summer, narwhals can be found in three areas in East Greenland: Scoresbysund, Tasiilaq, and Kangerlussuaq. Their small size and tendency to swim quickly and stealthily make them elusive and not easy to see, adding to their mystique. However, this makes spotting narwhals in the Arctic all the more rewarding and thrilling!
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