Diving With Whales: Greenland Is The Place To Be

When you think about scuba diving with whales, you may believe that warm, tropical destinations are best. While it’s certainly true that there are several warm destinations around this big, blue planet of ours that provide opportunities for diving and snorkeling with whales, few compare with Greenland. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the many whale species found around Greenland, plus we’ll provide a few tips for diving with whales. 

An Experience Like No Other

Each summer, around fifteen different species of whales visit Greenland’s waters. Three of these – the narwhal, the bowhead, and the beluga – remain in the area year round. To make the most of your experience, it’s best to learn as much as you can about the whales you’ll be diving with before your trip begins. 

• Humpback Whales – Averaging 18 meters long and weighing in at about 30 tons, humpbacks are real acrobats, often flipping their fins and tail flukes joyfully as they leap out of the water in an impressive display of graceful might. Aasiaat, Quqertarsuaq, Maniitsoq, Paamiut, Sisimiut, and Nuuk are all excellent places to encounter humpbacks. 

• Minke Whales – Growing to an average length of 10 meters and weighing in at about 10 tons, these whales can be seen in fjord areas throughout Greenland. 

• Fin Whales – The second largest known whale species, the fin whale grows to a length of about 27 meters and can weigh in at as much as 100 tons. These whales are occasionally seen in fjord areas as well as around Uummannaq, Qaqortoq, and Disko Bay.

These are just a few of the whale species you’ll encounter around Greenland; others include Bowhead whales, Narwhals, and of course, beautiful white Belugas. 

Greenland’s dive operators do an excellent job of providing specific tips for diving with the whales you’ll encounter around the island. Swimming in the company of whales is unlike anything else you’ll ever experience. While not without a certain amount of inherent danger that comes just from getting so close to a massive animal hundreds of times your own size, it is generally extremely safe, particularly once the whale you are snorkeling or diving with becomes aware of your presence nearby. These animals are incredibly intelligent, wonderfully gentle, and extremely curious about what we are doing in their world. Most divers describe feeling an instant heart to heart connection with the whales they encounter – something that is absolutely unforgettable. By simply relaxing and seeking that connection, you will most likely enjoy an equally intense experience. 

It’s worth mentioning that most divers do not get the opportunity to spend time in the water with all the species mentioned here. However, it is not uncommon to view these magnificent marine mammals from vantage points on the deck of your liveaboard, or even from some points onshore, including hotel windows! Plan your visit for the high season – usually between June and July – for the best chances of encountering as many whales as possible. If that’s not possible, plan your trip for anytime between March, when the whales begin to arrive, and the end of April, when they make their return trips south. As charters are limited, it is important to begin planning your trip well in advance. This gives you plenty of time to brush up on drysuit diving and underwater photography skills – plus plenty of time to daydream about what is certain to be one of the most memorable journeys you’ve ever undertaken.