Wildlife in Antarctica: What You’ll See on an Expedition Cruise
Meet the animals that live in Antarctica and find out how you can see them on an Antarctica tour.
July 01, 2026
7 minute read
Key Takeaways
Wildlife is a centrepiece of the Antarctica experience. Penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds define most traveller moments, with sightings happening both on land and from the water throughout the journey.
Antarctica’s ecosystem is entirely ocean-driven. With minimal plant life and no land mammals, wildlife depends on the surrounding ocean, shaping where and how animals live, feed, and breed.
Encounters are immersive but carefully managed. Guided shore landings and Zodiac excursions allow close observation whilst following strict environmental protocols to protect wildlife and habitats.
Timing your trip directly impacts wildlife activity. November through early March offers the best opportunities, with peak activity in January and strong whale sightings later in the season.
Wildlife sightings are unpredictable but memorable. Many of the most impactful moments — like whales surfacing or penguins moving through colonies — happen unexpectedly, adding to the sense of awe and spontaneity.
Your Guide to Antarctica’s Most Popular Wildlife
Seeing wildlife in Antarctica is one of the main reasons people go on Antarctica cruises and tours. Imagine spotting whales and seabirds out on the open water, seeing seal pups at play, and being greeted by penguins when you take zodiac boats ashore.
In this post, you’ll get an overview of the environment animals in Antarctica call home and then we’ll dive into what animals live in Antarctica and where you might spot them when you visit.
The Antarctic Landscape
Antarctica is a beautiful and unforgiving environment. Glaciers descend towards the sea, ice fields stretch across the horizon, and dark rock breaks through snow along the coast. Life here depends on the ocean and the narrow summer window in the Southern Hemisphere when food is available.
Plant life exists only in small patches. Mosses and lichens grow briefly on sheltered rock, and travellers are often surprised by just how little vegetation there is. That sparseness makes animal life easier to notice. Wildlife encounters stand out in contrast to a landscape that hasn’t been softened.
Responsible Travel: To protect this fragile environment, Collette follows environmental protocols that enable guests to observe polar plants and animals without disrupting them or their habitat.
What Animals Live in Antarctica and How to See Them
Animals that live in Antarctica include penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds, all of which are adapted to a cold, marine environment. There are no land-based mammals here. Animal life revolves around the surrounding ocean, with species coming ashore or hauling out on ice to rest, nest, or raise young.
On Collette’s Antarctica wildlife tour, you’ll see animals during shore landings, Zodiac excursions, and whilst on the ship. Travellers frequently remark that wildlife appears when they stop looking for it, so make sure you bring a good camera and keep it ready.
Penguins in Antarctica
What penguins live in Antarctica?
Travellers often ask, are there penguins in Antarctica? The answer is yes, but what surprises many people is not just that penguins are present, but how busy and loud colonies are — especially when thousands of birds are moving at once. Penguins you might see in Antarctica include:
Gentoo penguins, recognizable by the white “bonnet” across their head and bright orange bill, often form bustling colonies near landing sites where you can see them nesting and tending to chicks, depending on the month.
Chinstrap penguins, identified by the thin black band beneath their chin, are among the most abundant penguins in the Antarctic region. Listen to their distinctive “stonecracker” calls during landings.
Adélie penguins are small and distinguished by a white ring around each eye. Look for them on small islands and places with exposed rock.
Emperor penguins, the largest of the penguin species, are a rare sight that will likely get the whole expedition team excited.
Where and how penguin encounters happen on the tour
On Collette’s Antarctica tour, you’ll see penguins on guided shore landings. Travellers follow established walking routes whilst penguins move freely between nests and water. This allows you to watch as penguin parents trade duties, chicks wait at the edge of the colony, and lines of penguins gather before heading to sea — all without disrupting their daily routine.
Travellers frequently mention how close they feel to the action without needing to approach the busy penguins.
Whales in Antarctica
Whales in Antarctica include humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas.
Antarctic blue whales are the largest animal known, reaching up to 110 feet and weighing more than 330,000 lbs. Although sightings are rare, travellers occasionally glimpse them surfacing in the Southern Ocean.
Humpback whales are the most commonly seen. Large and long‑finned, they surface repeatedly whilst feeding, sometimes close enough to watch a tail fluke rise before a deep dive.
Minke whales, smaller and quicker, tend to appear briefly and disappear just as fast.
Orcas (killer whales) are seen less often but are instantly recognizable by their bold black-and-white coloring.
Where and how whale sightings happen on the tour
You’re most likely to spot whales from the ship or during Zodiac cruising whilst moving between landing sites. Sightings aren’t scheduled and are more common later in the season.
Many travellers say these moments catch them off guard — a spout appears, the ship slows, and conversations stop mid‑sentence.
Seals of Antarctica
Some seals you might see on a polar cruise include:
Weddell seals, known for their placid nature, round faces, and mottled coats, are frequently seen hauled out on ice near breathing holes they maintain with their teeth.
Crabeater seals, despite their name, feed on krill and are the most numerous seal species in Antarctica.
Leopard seals, one of Antarctica’s most formidable predators, are often seen patrolling ice edges. Travellers may observe their behaviour from Zodiac boats at a respectful distance.
Where seals appear during the expedition
Seals in Antarctica are most often seen resting on ice near landings or swimming close to shore during Zodiac rides. Seals remain still for long stretches, conserving energy between dives — and giving you a chance to snap some pictures.
Seabirds of Antarctica
Antarctica is home to several bird species that you may see on your cruise. These include:
Albatrosses, with enormous wingspans — up to 3.5 metres in wandering albatrosses — glide effortlessly on ocean winds, sometimes following the ship.
Petrels have bold markings and can be seen darting over the water or sitting in flocks on icebergs.
Skuas are larger birds that can be seen near penguin colonies and occasionally following the ship.
Spotting birds during sea days makes wildlife viewing a fun experience even between landings.
Best Time to Visit Antarctica for Wildlife
The best time to visit Antarctica for wildlife is during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, when animals feed, nest, and raise their young.
Late November–December: Penguins return to colonies and begin nesting.
January: Peak wildlife activity, including penguin chicks and whale sightings.
February–early March: Growing chicks, continued whale sightings, as the season winds down.
Antarctica Wildlife FAQs
Are there penguins in Antarctica?
Yes. Penguins are commonly seen during guided landings near active colonies, where you observe their daily routines from a respectful distance.
What types of wildlife live in Antarctica?
Wildlife changes by month, but travellers typically see penguins (gentoo, chinstrap, Adelie), seals (Weddell, leopard), whales, and abundant seabirds like albatrosses and petrels. On Collette’s Antarctica tour, Zodiac outings offer close yet respectful viewing, guided by naturalists who explain behaviour, ecology, and seasonal wildlife patterns.
How close do you get to wildlife?
You observe wildlife from established distances during landings and encounter animals naturally from the ship and Zodiacs. Proximity varies, but interactions are always observational and follow environmental protocols to protect the animals and their habitats.
Wildlife Moments That Stay With You
Wildlife viewing in Antarctica adds an exciting element to the stark beauty of the polar landscape. Seeing penguins easing into the water, a whale surfacing beside the ship, or a seal resting on the ice reminds you that life can survive and thrive in the harshest conditions.
Learn more about what to expect on Collette’s 12-day Antarctica tour in this watch this video featuring Sam and Antarctic experts.
