Antarctic region is a pristine polar wilderness featuring abundant wildlife. Watch our webinar devoted to Antarctic animals and become an Antarctic wildlife expert! Our experienced and knowledgeable expedition leader with 20 years of polar experience Anja Erdmann-Rutten shares with you the most amazing facts about penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses.
There are few wildlife experiences as exhilarating as a close encounter with a whale. Even more incredible is meeting a whale at eye level from a kayak. Now add the beauty of the pristine Antarctic environment and you have something truly amazing. To enjoy an exceptional experience like this, you first need to book an Antarctic expedition cruise with kayaking. Whale encounters from a kayak are not necessarily closer than whale encounters from a Zodiac or the ship itself, but being down at sea level in your own kayak with a gigantic whale is a much more intimate and humbling experience. Read on to learn more about kayaking with whales in Antarctica.
The Southern Ocean is one of the most biologically rich bodies of water in the world. Constantly stirred up by wind and currents, a steady supply of nutrients contributes to prolific blooms of microscopic plankton, which become so thick in summer they can be seen from space. The plankton is food for prodigious swarms of Antarctic krill (small, shrimp-like creatures), which can reach densities of 30,000 individuals per cubic meter. These, in turn, are hunted by a diversity of marine mammals, including some of the largest predators on Earth.
Arctic whale-watching on a cruise around Spitsbergen
Now enjoying protection after centuries of relentless hunting, whales are returning to the waters of Svalbard. Whales found feeding in the beautiful fjords and rich polar seas around Spitsbergen provide some of the best whale-watching to be had anywhere. Long polar days afford cruise passengers the chance to spot whales during excursions and from the deck of the ship anytime. Here are some whale species to look for during your Spitsbergen cruise.
People worldwide have been captivated by the sound of humpback whales singing, and whether members of this species sing as a means of communication with each other or some other purpose. Our Greenland expedition cruise participants often ask this very question. Interestingly, scientists have recently discovered that an important purpose of the humpback whale's song is to help them locate their next meal.