Antarctica: Whale watching in Antarctica

Whale watching in Antarctica

Throughout the Antarctic summer, the freezing seas at the planet's southernmost reaches reverberate with whale song. This undisturbed environment is an important habitat for several species of whale, which typically come here to feed before migrating north to breed and give birth in warmer climes.

Among the whales found here are the gargantuan blue whale, measuring 30m in length, and the humpback, minke whale, sperm whale and southern right whale. Though technically a member of the dolphin family, orcas are a particularly striking sight and are also commonly found in Antarctic waters.

Watching from a zodiac or the deck of your ship, you may witness a mighty tail slapping the ocean or powerful jets of water erupting from blowholes. It's an especially humbling experience to see one of these marine behemoths throw itself heavenward as though in celebration, before crashing down on the surface of the sea with thundering force.