Sailing through ice-strewn waters, a bone-chilling wind sweeping across your face, you spy a crabeater seal as it shuffles to the edge of the pristine white coast, puffing out its snout and meeting your gaze. Then, all of a sudden, it plops into the deep blues below for a quick swim.
Antarctica wildlife sightings like this reward your patience and can occur when you least expect them. The expedition cruise you take will be led by expert guides, who endeavour to provide you with the best chances of enjoying sightings on a daily basis. As a result, you’ll come away from your with a wealth of memories that only this part of the world can deliver.
But the question is, which wildlife in Antarctica can you see?
Here are five groups and the individual species that inhabit ‘The White Continent’.
1. Penguins
Species: Emperor penguin | Adélie penguin | Gentoo penguin | Chinstrap penguin | King penguin | Macaroni penguin | Southern rockhopper penguin | Magellanic penguin
The most iconic Antarctica wildlife species is the penguin. Flightless and feathery, these seabirds often saunter about in their colonies, waddling in the snow or nesting and breeding atop a cliffside. Emperors are the rarest of the bunch, and chinstraps are the most abundant.
As one ventures into the sea, searching for a meal of small shrimp, fish, crabs or squid, its black-and-white-clad body camouflages it from would-be predators and prey. From your vessel, you may spot an Adélie or gentoo returning from its hunt before socialising with family. They may even slide on their bellies, which allows them to travel faster and conserve energy.
Where to see penguins in Antarctica
The locations of penguins vary by species in Antarctica. Emperors and Adélies are ‘true’ penguins and can only be found on the Antarctic Peninsula, whereas gentoos, chinstraps, kings, macaronis and southern rockhoppers also occur from South Georgia to the Falklands.
Best time to see penguins in Antarctica
Generally, the best time to see penguins in Antarctica is December—January. Each species has its own specific breeding rituals and feeding habits, which can slightly alter this. But the stated period is when chicks are newly hatched, and weather conditions are easier to navigate.
See our travel guide to the Types of Penguins in Antarctica & Where to See Them. In it, we discuss all seven species of penguins you can find in Antarctica, where exactly to see them and the best time to visit – as well as important facts, tips and insights for your visit.
2. Seals
Species: Leopard seal | Crabeater seal | Antarctic fur seal | Southern elephant seal | Weddell seal | Ross seal
Seals are among the most amusing animals of Antarctica. Aboard your cruise, there’s always a chance to observe the blubbery mammal lazing about on ice-hardened shores or socialising with one another. Each of the six species here varies in appearance, the leopard seal with its black-spotted coat and the southern elephant seal with an inflatable, trunk-like nose.
You can also distinguish them by whether they have ears (otariids) or not (phocids). Phocids (leopard seal, crabeater seal, southern elephant seal, Weddell seal, Ross seal) are true seals, those which wiggle on their bellies, whereas otariids (Antarctic fur seal) walk like sea lions.
Where to see seals in Antarctica
Leopard and crabeater seals are most reliably found on the Antarctic Peninsula, while Ross seals reside in the Ross Sea and Weddell seals in the Weddell Sea. Further away on the rocky, wind-sheltered beaches in South Georgia are southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals.
Best time to see seals in Antarctica
January—February is the austral summer in Antarctica, providing the best conditions for navigating the waters in your expedition cruise ship or perhaps even kayaking. Seals are highly active now, too, hunting for their pups, who are inquisitive when away from their parents.
Seek out seals on a zodiac cruise through shimmering, iceberg-lined waters on our South Georgia & Antarctica Odyssey sample itinerary. You’ll also have time on vast, pebbled beaches to watch southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals in their natural habitat.
3. Baleen whales
Species: Humpback whale | Fin whale | Antarctic minke whale | Sei whale | Southern right whale | Blue whale
A baleen whale sighting is unlike anything else. You could go from witnessing a humpback breach the waters to observing a fin whale spout water high in the sky. Though even just one experience is precious. The likelihood of a sighting ranges from common to rare, depending on the species; the blue whale, for example, is very unlikely.
In the Southern Ocean, the Antarctic minke whale is the most abundant baleen species. These small marine mammals are graceful in their movement, often approaching vessels inquisitively before quickly veering away. Like other baleen whales, their favourite food is krill, which they hoover up and filter through their baleen plates like a strainer.
Where to see baleen whales in Antarctica
The Antarctic Peninsula is the best place to see baleen whales in Antarctica. Specifically, a trip to Wilhelmina Bay (also known as ‘Whale-mina Bay’) would maximise your chances of spotting them due to the availability of krill. Humpbacks and Antarctic minkes are the most common.
Best time to see baleen whales in Antarctica
February—March is the best time to see baleen whales in Antarctica. This is when the sea creatures travel in their numbers, searching for food after fasting, when the waters are warmer. The energy they gain from consuming it puts them in high spirits, making them extra lively.
4. Toothed whales
Species: Killer whale (Orca) | Sperm whale | Southern four-toothed whale | Southern bottlenose whale
Four of the world’s 77 toothed whale species make Antarctica’s cold waters their home. They’re distinguished from baleen whales by their titular teeth, which they use to hunt larger prey such as seals and sea lions. To track them down, they use echolocation to navigate in darker waters.
Orcas are at the top of the food chain for wildlife in Antarctica. Pods have been documented using cooperative tactics to corner a fresh catch, attacking from all directions. Even if prey can get away, it’s usually only momentarily, since the orca acts as a military submarine, always on their tail. Truly, their ingenuity makes them the underwater world’s apex predators.
Where to see toothed whales in Antarctica
The Antarctic Peninsula offers a prime position for watching toothed whales in the wild. As is the case for baleen whales, Wilhelmina Bay is the go-to destination, with orcas swimming amongst the sea ice which drifts around – and sometimes dragging seals into the depths below.
Best time to see toothed whales in Antarctica
Visiting in February—March of the austral summer could treat you to a magnificent whale-watching boat excursion. The toothed whales are tempted towards the peninsula by newborn chicks and seals, though you’re more likely to see them travelling in their pods out on the water.
We’ve afforded you plenty of time on the Antarctic Peninsula on our Antarctic Explorer Express sample itinerary. Speak with our Travel Specialists to tailor your zodiac experience to seek out the whales, providing you with a unique perspective of these dramatic waters.
5. Seabirds
Species: Blue-eyed shag | Snow petrel | Giant petrel | Cape petrel | Sheathbill | Antarctic skua | Wandering albatross
In addition to penguins, there are more seabird species you can be on the lookout for, though they’ll likely come to you instead. Wandering albatrosses are the most impressive, measuring in at up to 3.5 metres lengthways when fully extending their wings. From your cruise ship, you can see them take flight, soaring at speeds of around 87 mph as they catch the updraft of the wind.
You could see a diverse selection of petrels, too. The snow petrel is pure white, blending in with its icy surrounds, whereas the cape petrel is a mix of black and white, referred to as ‘Pintardos’ (Spanish for ‘painted ones’), and giant petrels are the vultures of the Southern Ocean.
Where to see seabirds in Antarctica
Seabirds spend most of their lives on the open sea, so keep your eyes peeled when travelling on your expedition cruise. They also make their way to the sub-Antarctic islands like South Georgia and the Falklands, where they aim to poach unguarded penguin eggs and chicks.
Best time to see seabirds in Antarctica
The best time to see these animals of Antarctica is late October—December. This is when most species are nesting, courting and breeding. As it’s the austral summer, the soft lighting also presents excellent conditions for photography, with sparkling white backgrounds.
What are The Most Amazing Things to See & Do on an Antarctica Cruise? As well as birdwatching, you can also delve into everything from polar plunging in nutrient-rich waters to snowshoeing in a pristine landscape of ice, snow and natural wonders.
Observe Antarctica wildlife species with Rainbow
If seeing Antarctica wildlife in its natural habitat is on your travel radar, there's no better way to experience it than on an expedition cruise. Speak with our Travel Specialists to plan a tailor-made trip and discover the remarkable species that call this remote corner of the world home.
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