Many whale species visit the greenlandic waters, like these Humpback whales weighing up to 30 tons and measuring up 18 meters , here seen in the fjord of Nuuk.
In total around 15 species are seen regularly in the summer period from april to november, but only three species remains during the winter, the Beluga whale, the Bowhead whale (Greenland Right Whale) and the Narwhal.
The Narwhal (Unicorn of the sea) is known for its very long tusk and in some very rare cases they are seen with twin tusks. This long tusk can grow up to 2-3 meters. Only males have this unique tusk. Their function is uncertain. The Narwhal don’t use their tusk during hunting.
Whales in Greenland
Whale spotting tours
Whale species in Greenland
Images on this website are Copyright 2006-07 © Lars Christiansen
 
Whale spotting tours are offered generally in every major town in Greenland. Here a tour boat from Nuuk.
Humpback whale: The Humpback whale is a baleen whale and can grow up to 18 meters, weighing up to 30 tons. The whale visit the greenlandic waters to eat during the summer period and migrate to warm tropical waters to breed and calve during the winter period. The humpback whale are the active of all whale species when it comes to acrobatics. Beluga whale: The Beluga whale also called the White whale is a small toothed whale. They grow to be up to 4.6 meter and weighing 1.500 kg. Their diet consists mostly of fish and squids. The Beluga whale can dive up to 15 minutes at depths up to 600 meters. Fin whale: The Fin whale is also a baleen whale and is the second largest whale and living animal after the blue whale. The Fin whale grows up to almost 27 meters and weighing up to 70 tons, feeding on fish, squids and krill. Bowhead whale: The Bowhead whale (also known as Greenland Right Whale) is a baleen whale and can grow up to 18 meters and weighs up to amazing 60 tons. Their diet consists of plankton and krill. The bowhead whale stays in the arctic waters all year, but migrate to the northern parts in the spring to eat. Killer whale: Minke whale: Common Rorqual whale: Common Porpoise whale: Blue whale:
Humpback whales usually displays their tail before diving. They stay dived for 10-15 minutes before resurfacing.
The Humpback whale resurfacing after a long dive with a loud and clear blow. The capital Nuuk is seen in the background.
Nar whale: The Nar whale is known for its very long tooth and in some very rare cases they are seen with twin teeth. This long tooth can grow up to 2-3 meters. Only males have this unique tooth. Their function is uncertain. Nar whale don’t use their tooth during hunting.