Narwhal Tours & Expeditions
Highlights
- Witness (with luck) a magical, near-mythical creature in its natural habitat
- Narwhals are particularly abundant between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, making Northwest Passage and Canadian High Arctic cruises the best potential narwhal-viewing trips
- Narwhals also occasionally seen on Svalbard cruises
- July to September the likeliest windows for spotting narwhals on Arctic cruises
- Floe edge excursions access a dynamic environment rich in marine life, providing opportunities to see other species such as seals, whales, and a variety of seabirds in startling close-up
We’ll level with you: It’s not all that easy spying the “unicorn of the sea.” Narwhals are notoriously shy, deep-diving, and often widely scattered in small pods. That makes glimpsing these small cetaceans—related to and overlapping in range with beluga whales and best-known for the long, corkscrewed tusk (an enlarged tooth) sported by males—all the more incredible, and it’s at least a tantalizing possibility on a number of different Arctic cruises.
Restricted to the Arctic Ocean—and especially prevalent from the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland eastward to Svalbard and the Russian Arctic—narwhals undergo annual migrations from their wintery range along leads in the offshore pack ice to their preferred summertime sinaaq (“edge of the ice” in Inuktitut) haunts in coastal waters at the floe edge where landfast ice meets the open Arctic Ocean and species thrive.
About Narwhal Tours & Expeditions
We’ll level with you: It’s not all that easy spying the “unicorn of the sea.” Narwhals are notoriously shy, deep-diving, and often widely scattered in small pods. That makes glimpsing these small cetaceans—related to and overlapping in range with beluga whales and best-known for the long, corkscrewed tusk (an enlarged tooth) sported by males—all the more incredible, and it’s at least a tantalizing possibility on a number of different Arctic cruises.
Restricted to the Arctic Ocean—and especially prevalent from the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland eastward to Svalbard and the Russian Arctic—narwhals undergo annual migrations from their wintery range along leads in the offshore pack ice to their preferred summertime sinaaq (“edge of the ice” in Inuktitut) haunts in coastal waters at the floe edge where landfast ice meets the open Arctic Ocean and species thrive.
Narwhal Cruise FAQs
Where is the best place to see narwhals on an Arctic cruise?
The best place to see narwhals is typically in the Canadian Arctic, particularly around Baffin Island and Nunavut, and off the coast of Greenland. These regions are known for their significant narwhal populations and specific migratory routes.
When is the best time of year to spot narwhals?
The best time to spot narwhals is generally during the summer months, from late June-July through September, when they move into the fjords and inlets of the high Arctic. This period aligns with the melting of sea ice, which opens up their feeding grounds.
How difficult is it to see narwhals on an expedition cruise?
Narwhals are notoriously elusive and shy, making them one of the more challenging Arctic animals to spot. While expedition teams are skilled, sightings are never guaranteed and often require patience and favorable conditions.
What kind of behavior might I see from narwhals if we're lucky?
If you’re fortunate enough to spot narwhals, you might see them swimming, diving, or surfacing to breathe. Occasionally, you might witness their characteristic “tusk-rubbing” behavior, or mothers with their calves, offering rare glimpses into their lives.
Do narwhal-focused cruises offer special opportunities?
Yes, narwhal-focused cruises often employ expert guides with specialized knowledge of narwhal behavior and migratory patterns. Some may use helicopters or small boats to increase chances of observation in their preferred habitats, though these are typically more specialized and expensive.
What is the narwhal's "tusk" and its purpose?
The narwhal’s distinctive “tusk” is actually an elongated canine tooth, predominantly found in males, that can grow up to 10 feet long. Some research suggests it’s a sensory organ, potentially used for navigating, foraging for food, and perhaps even communication, rather than for combat, but ...
The best place to see narwhals is typically in the Canadian Arctic, particularly around Baffin Island and Nunavut, and off the coast of Greenland. These regions are known for their significant narwhal populations and specific migratory routes.
The best time to spot narwhals is generally during the summer months, from late June-July through September, when they move into the fjords and inlets of the high Arctic. This period aligns with the melting of sea ice, which opens up their feeding grounds.
Narwhals are notoriously elusive and shy, making them one of the more challenging Arctic animals to spot. While expedition teams are skilled, sightings are never guaranteed and often require patience and favorable conditions.
If you’re fortunate enough to spot narwhals, you might see them swimming, diving, or surfacing to breathe. Occasionally, you might witness their characteristic “tusk-rubbing” behavior, or mothers with their calves, offering rare glimpses into their lives.
Yes, narwhal-focused cruises often employ expert guides with specialized knowledge of narwhal behavior and migratory patterns. Some may use helicopters or small boats to increase chances of observation in their preferred habitats, though these are typically more specialized and expensive.
The narwhal’s distinctive “tusk” is actually an elongated canine tooth, predominantly found in males, that can grow up to 10 feet long. Some research suggests it’s a sensory organ, potentially used for navigating, foraging for food, and perhaps even communication, rather than for combat, but the jury is still out on this.
Narwhal Cruise Ships
Recommended Reading
Narwhal Facts: Secrets Of The Unicorn Of The Sea Revealed
10 Fascinating Polar Bear Facts
10 Wild Wolverine Facts: A Marvel Of The Arctic Kingdom
A History Of Arctic Exploration (Including Timeline)