Wildlife Spotting in Polar Regions

Key Takeaways

• The Arctic and Antarctic are brilliant for seeing wildlife – you’ll spot polar bears up north and penguins down south.
• The summer months are the best time to see animals, as the ice conditions are good and the wildlife is quite active.
• Watching from Zodiac boats and ship decks is brilliant for seeing whales, seals and seabirds in their natural homes.
• You’ll need proper camera kit and know-how, like telephoto lenses and quick shutter speeds, to get good shots of the wildlife.
• Keep a safe distance and listen to your expedition leader – it’s important not to disturb the animals whilst watching them.

Wildlife Viewing on Polar Cruises

Cruising through the clear arctic waters, ships let you see some of the world’s most brilliant wildlife.

The naturalists on board will help you spot different species and tell you all about how they live.

Remember to bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens to catch these amazing moments.

Summer months are best for wildlife watching, when the ice conditions mean ships can go further into areas teeming with animals. From the deck or in zodiac boats, you can watch walruses lazing about on rocky shores and loads of seabirds nesting on coastal cliffs.

Your team will keep an eye out and let you know when there’s something special to see.

Essential Animals of Polar Cruises

The must-see creatures on any polar cruise include six remarkable species: polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, arctic foxes, and seabirds. These animals have found brilliant ways to thrive in the harsh polar climate, making them brilliant subjects for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.

You’ll spot different wildlife depending on which pole you visit:

1. The Arctic shows off polar bears hunting across sea ice, whilst walruses lounge about in big groups on rocky coastlines.
2. The Antarctic is home to various penguins, such as emperors, gentoos, and adelies, along with several seal species.
3. Both regions are brilliant for whale spotting – you might see orcas, humpbacks, and belugas up north, while down south you could glimpse minke whales and, if you’re lucky, blue whales.

Arctic and Antarctic Cruise Wildlife

While sailing through polar waters, you’ll notice some brilliant differences between Arctic and Antarctic wildlife.

Up in the Arctic, you’ll come across polar bears searching for seals, and huge walruses lazing about on ice floes. Arctic foxes, muskoxen and reindeer can be seen wandering the tundra, whilst narwhals and belugas glide through the freezing waters.

The Antarctic shows off a totally different world of wildlife.

You’ll see massive penguin colonies, with emperors, gentoos and Adélies waddling about. Leopard seals lurk in the waters, while southern elephant seals sprawl across the beaches. Several types of whales, including humpbacks and orcas, head to Antarctic waters to feed during summer.

In the skies above, wandering albatrosses and Antarctic petrels glide through the clear polar air – it’s a photographer’s paradise.

Marine Life on Polar Cruises

Along with gorgeous glacial landscapes, marine life gives you the most brilliant shows on polar cruises. You’ll see whales breaking through the surface, seals lazing about on ice floes, and loads of seabirds diving for fish. The cold, nutrient-rich waters are home to diverse ecosystems that you can watch from your ship’s deck.

On your cruise, you’ll get to see feeding behaviours, migration patterns, and breeding activities. The best times to spot wildlife are during summer months when marine mammals come up to the surface more often. 

Marine Mammals of Polar Cruises

Marine mammals are the real stars of polar cruises, putting on amazing shows as they leap about and show off their power.

You’ll come across brilliant creatures that have learned to thrive in these freezing waters, from cheeky seals to enormous whales.

Whether you’re sailing through Arctic seas or wandering through Antarctica’s waterways, you’ll catch sight of these fantastic animals going about their daily lives.

1. See humpback whales jumping clear of the water and smacking their huge tails, while orcas work together in pods to catch their prey.
2. Look on as Weddell seals and leopard seals laze about on ice floes, sometimes plunging into the icy waters to catch fish.
3. Catch glimpses of beluga whales in the Arctic, with their eye-catching white bodies and bulbous heads, often swimming right up to your vessel.

These meetings aren’t just chances for photos – they’re glimpses into the intricate natural world of Earth’s polar regions.

Seabird Spotting on Polar Cruises

The polar regions are packed with seabirds that make their home here, as they fly above icy waters and nest on craggy cliffs.

You’ll catch sight of Arctic terns on their mind-boggling long-distance travels, whilst puffins zip about carrying fish in their colourful beaks.

Down in Antarctica, you can watch different penguins, from gentoos and chinstraps to the brilliant emperor penguins.

From your ship, you’ll spot albatrosses floating gracefully with their enormous wings, and petrels dancing across the water’s surface.

Keep your eyes peeled with binoculars for the odd ivory gull up in the Arctic or snow petrels down south.

Summer is brilliant for watching these birds, as they gather in massive groups to breed and hunt for food.

They often pop up near glacier faces and along the coast where loads of nutrients make for top feeding spots.

Under-Ice Wildlife on Polar Cruises

Under the freezing polar seas, there’s an amazing world of extraordinary creatures that have adapted to life beneath the ice.

From your polar cruise, you’ll see this underwater realm through special cameras and viewing kit. Whether you’re up in the Arctic or down in Antarctica, you can watch marine life going about their business whilst staying nice and warm.

1. See ringed seals and beluga whales swimming through ice channels in the Arctic, using their clever sonar and breathing holes.
2. Look out for Antarctic krill swarms that keep the whole Southern Ocean food chain going, easy to spot in the clear waters.
3. Watch ice fish with special antifreeze proteins in their blood that let them live in temperatures below zero.

As you sail through their icy world, you’ll come to understand just how brilliant these creatures are at staying alive in such harsh conditions.

Wildlife Photography on Polar Cruises

Taking photos of wildlife on polar cruises needs special kit and know-how because of the tricky conditions.

You’ll want to shield your gear from the bitter cold, salt spray, and sudden weather shifts while staying ready to snap those quick moments with arctic foxes, penguins, or polar bears.

1. Store your camera in a padded, waterproof bag to keep it warm when you’re not using it, and bring extra batteries as the cold drains them rather quickly.
2. Go for fast shutter speeds (1/1000 or faster) to catch moving wildlife, particularly birds in flight or whales jumping from the water.
3. Bring both a telephoto lens (at least 300mm) for far-off subjects and a wide-angle lens to photograph animals among the icebergs or landscapes.

Be patient and keep your distance from wildlife – always follow what your expedition leader tells you.

Zodiac Wildlife on Polar Cruises

Zodiac trips give you an amazing chance to see wildlife up-close in polar regions. From these little, inflatable boats, you’ll get brilliant views of seals lazing about on ice floes, pods of whales coming up for air nearby, and inquisitive penguins darting through the water.

Stay sharp as your Zodiac driver weaves through the brash ice, where leopard seals often search for prey.

In Antarctica, you might catch sight of Weddell seals, crabeater seals, or even killer whales prowling the channels. In the Arctic, watch out for walruses, bearded seals, and the odd polar bear swimming between ice sheets.

Your expedition guides will help you spot different species while keeping a proper distance that lets the animals carry on naturally.

Viewing Wildlife from the Deck of a Polar Cruise Ship

Watching wildlife from the ship’s deck is brilliant – you don’t even need to leave your spot by the railings.

You’ll catch whales jumping out of the water, seals lazing about on ice chunks, and seabirds gliding past. Being up high on the ship gives you a cracking view to spot animals across the vast polar waters and ice.

Handy deck viewing hints:

1. Pack your binoculars to spot polar bears hunting along ice edges
2. Stand on the windward side when photographing seabirds using the air currents
3. Keep an ear out for the crew’s wildlife alerts – they’ll turn the ship for the best views

The steady deck makes wildlife photography much simpler than on smaller boats, and you’ll be far warmer than if you were out on a zodiac.

Seasonal Wildlife on Polar Cruises

Polar wildlife changes loads throughout the seasons, making both Arctic and Antarctic waters look completely different as the year goes by.

In summer, you’ll spot breeding seabirds like puffins and petrels, whilst migrating whales turn up to feed in the rich waters. During Arctic summers, polar bears hunt near the ice edges and walruses laze about on rocky shores.

Winter trips show you something totally different. In Antarctica, you’ll watch penguin chicks hatch and learn to swim, while leopard seals lurk in nearby waters.

The Arctic’s winter darkness means fewer cruises run, but if you go in early spring, you might catch arctic foxes in their white winter coats and ringed seals resting on ice floes.

Each season brings its own special mix of wildlife, so picking the right time to match the animals you want to see will make your polar trip brilliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if a Polar Bear Attacks During a Shore Excursion?

Stay cool and collected, make yourself appear massive, move backwards at a slow pace, and keep flares or bear spray handy. Never scarper off. If a polar bear goes for you, you’ve got to fight like mad using whatever’s around you.

How Do Cruise Ships Avoid Disturbing Marine Mammal Migration Routes?

Cruise ships stick to set routes that dodge the paths where sea mammals migrate, slow down when needed, keep well away from them, and team up with wildlife boffins to keep tabs on where the animals are moving.

Are There Wildlife Rescue Protocols if Animals Become Stranded Near Ships?

Cruise ships follow solid rules about helping stranded wildlife – they ring up marine mammal specialists, keep well away, and work alongside local groups to help any animals in trouble whilst keeping everyone safe.

What Medical Facilities Exist Onboard for Treating Wildlife-Related Injuries?

Most ships have regular first aid rooms and medical teams, but they’re set up for looking after people rather than treating animals. If you get a nasty injury from wildlife, you’ll need to be taken to proper medical centres on land.

Can Passengers Feed or Touch Any Wildlife During Polar Cruise Stops?

Please don’t feed or touch any wildlife during your cruise stops – it’s against the law and can be dangerous for both you and the animals. It’s best to watch from a distance and let them be.