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  • Narwhal tusks, Arctic Canada safari

Where to see and what to know about the narwhal, the unicorn of the sea

For the past few days you have been exploring the far northern reaches of Canada, camping out on the ice floes that surround Bylot and Baffin Island. So far you have had heart-pumping encounters with polar bears, met with the local Inuit people, witnessed seals and walrus, and climbed steep icebergs.

 

Today as you relax by the flow edge watching a flock of eider ducks swoop down over the still water, you see for the very first time, the tusk of a narwhal pierce the surface. Your guide surveys the situation as they playfully delve beneath you in search of food, and decides that it is safe to swim with them today. You don your dry suit and snorkel, slowly lowering yourself in from the ice to the freezing water.

 

Our Narwhal and Polar Bear safari gives you the option of swimming with the narwhal if the opportunity arises, but for those who would prefer not to get wet, you can relax and watch them from the safety of the floe edge.

 

NEXT STEPS

• Take a look at our Arctic Canada holidays
• Browse our free guides
• Contact our Arctic Canada Destination Specialist for advice

narwhal safari gallery

narwhal facts

1
CONSERVATION STATUS The status of the narwhal is currently near threatened. Due to their small range and being adapted to live in extreme cold, climate change is of great concern to their future.
2
HABITAT Narwhal stick to Arctic waters; most commonly seen in Arctic Canada, but they can also be seen in Svalbard, Greenland, Norway and Russia.
3
LENGTH The body of a narwhal can be anywhere from 12-20 feet in length; their tusks can reach 9 foot alone.
4
LIFESPAN Average lifespan for a male is 50-60 years, however the females can live up to 90 in the wild.
5
INTERESTING FACT Their compact body shape, small mouth and thick layer of blubber help them to survive the extreme climes and retain heat in icy waters.

narwhal

These magnificent animals are famous for the intricate, spear-like tusk that protrudes from their heads. Actually an elongated canine growing straight through the top lip, this tusk seen on males, grows up to 2.7 metres in length and it spirals towards the tip with a hollow interior. The purpose of the ‘tusk’ or tooth still isn’t confirmed, though thought perhaps to impress females. Females occasionally grow their own, but it is never as impressive as the males, in fact some males can grow two.


By definition, the word ‘narwhal’ means corpse whale, as they often swim on their backs and lay without moving for several minutes. Part of the Monodontidae family, alongside the beluga whale, they feed on squid and fish and travel in groups, usually of between 15 and 20 individuals.


Narwhals are among the world’s deepest known divers, staying under the water for up to 25 minutes at a time and going as deep as 1,500 metres. They often get trapped in moving pack ice and fall prey to Inuit who hunt them for their beautiful tusks and their vitamin C rich skin. There are strict hunting quotas in place to help ensure the survival of the species. Known enemies of the narwhal are polar bears, walruses and humans.


Solely living in Arctic waters, they have been seen in joined pods of hundreds, or even thousands, as they try to work their way into the cracks of breaking floe ice.

The Best Narwhal Watching Holidays

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Why book with us

We are destination specialists

Our team of specialists have extensive on-the-ground knowledge and have all lived, guided or explored in great detail the destinations that they sell. They will design your journey around you, at the right place at the right time.

We are wildlife specialists

As a leading specialist operator we have excellent partnerships with naturalists and conservationists. We know our wildlife and do what we can to preserve its natural habitat.

We really care about our destinations

At Natural World Safaris we frequently monitor the social, economic and environmental impact of our travel operations to ensure we are at the forefront of a sustainable and ethical tourism industry. 

Talk to one of our specialists for further details on seeing whales in the wild.

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