Cetacean Species

Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), also known as white whales, are small, toothed whales known for their white colouration and distinctive blunt facial features. They are highly social and vocal animals, often called the "canaries of the sea" due to their wide range of vocalisations.

The largest animals on Earth can be seen on expedition cruises, offering a life-affirming experience for wildlife seekers. These cetaceans are often spotted in nutrient-rich waters, feeding on krill. Critical locations for blue whale sightings on expedition cruises include the waters off the coast of Iceland, the Azores, and the Antarctic Peninsula. 

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are one of the most well-known and widespread marine mammals found in warm and temperate seas worldwide. Renowned for their high intelligence, sociability, and playful behaviour, they are frequent subjects of marine biology studies, and sadly, they still remain attractions in aquariums and marine parks.

Common dolphins are known for their playful behaviour and acrobatic displays. These highly social animals often travel in large pods, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, and are frequently seen riding the bow waves of expedition ships and zodiacs. Key regions for spotting common dolphins include the waters off Baja California, Northern Europe, and the coast of the Canary Islands.

Dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) are relatively small and have a distinct colour pattern with dark grey or black backs, light grey sides, and a white belly. Known for their energetic and playful behaviour, dusky dolphins are famous for their acrobatics, including flips, leaps, and spins.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are the most photographed cetaceans. They are renowned for their spectacular breaching and complex songs. They are identified by their long pectoral fins and distinctive 'bumpy heads', characterised by tubercles.

Minke whales, the smallest of the baleen, are frequently seen on expedition cruises, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These agile and curious cetaceans often approach small ships and zodiacs, providing close encounters for passengers. Key locations for minke whale sightings include the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula and the icy fjords of Norway.

Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are unique marine mammals that primarily inhabit the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia. They prefer deep, cold waters, often found near pack ice, and are best known for their long, spiral tusks.

Orcas (Orcinus orca), also known as killer whales, are apex predators with a distinctive black and white colouring. They have a sleek, streamlined body, a large dorsal fin (up to 1.8 meters in males), and a white patch above and behind the eye.

Risso's dolphins are a distinctive species known for their uniquely beakless and often scarred appearance and lively behaviour.

Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the largest toothed whales and are known for their distinctive heads and deep-diving abilities. Their unique characteristics, such as their large brains, deep-diving abilities, and social structures, make them a subject of great interest and importance in marine biology and conservation efforts.

Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are one of the larger species of baleen whales and are known for their streamlined bodies and speed. Like other baleen whales, sei whales have baleen plates instead of teeth, which they use to filter feed.

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), are small, acrobatic cetaceans known for their eponymous leaps out of the ocean. Imaginatively named for their characteristic behaviour, they spin longitudinally along their axis as they leap through the air.