About
Name: Harbour Porpoise, Puffer, Puffing Pig (Phocoena phocoena)
Length: 1.5 - 1.9 metres
Weight: 60 - 75 kg, males being smaller
Location: Coasts of North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia
Conservation status: Least Concern
Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans
Appearance: Dark grey back, lighter grey sides, white underside
How do Harbour Porpoises feed?
In shallow waters, Harbour Porpoises forage near the bottom; in deeper waters, they stay mid-range. Typically solo foragers, they sometimes hunt in small groups. Dives usually last about a minute but can extend up to 5 minutes, with the deepest recorded dive at 220 metres. They use small spade-shaped teeth to catch prey, which is swallowed whole, and echolocation to find food in murky waters.
Are Harbour Porpoises social?
Harbour Porpoises are generally solitary but can be seen in groups (shoals) of up to 5 members.
How fast do Harbour Porpoises move?
They can reach speeds of up to 25 km per hour.
What are Harbour Porpoise birthing rituals like?
Females mature sexually at 3 or 4 years and can give birth annually for several years. They can be pregnant and lactating simultaneously. Mating involves multiple partners, with a gestation period of just over 10 months. Calves are born in early summer, measuring 65-85 cm and weighing 6.5 - 10 kg, and are weaned after 8-12 months.
How long do Harbour Porpoises live?
They live about 15 years in the wild.
How many Harbour Porpoises are there today?
The global population is estimated at around 700,000 individuals.
Do Harbour Porpoises have any natural predators?
They are hunted by sharks, killer whales, and occasionally gray seals. Bottlenose dolphins sometimes attack and kill them without eating them.
7 Pleasing Harbour Porpoise Facts
- One of the smallest marine mammals.
- Stays close to coasts and estuaries, making them familiar to people, though they are shy and not approachable like dolphins.
- Can travel far up rivers, sometimes seen hundreds of kilometers inland.
- Four known distinct populations:
- Phocoena phocoena phocoena - North Atlantic, West Africa
- P.P. relicta - Sea of Azov, Black Sea
- P.P. (unnamed) - Northwest Pacific
- P.P. vomerina - Northeast Pacific
- The word “porpoise” comes from Medieval Latin "porcopiscus," combining "porcus" (pig) and "piscus" (fish).
- Unlike dolphins, they have blunt snouts and a streamlined forehead.
- During mating season, a male’s testes can enlarge to about 5% of his total weight.
Best Deals
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May - 15 May 2025$ 3.750
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May - 09 Jun 20251.750
$ 600
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun - 10 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun - 18 Jun 2025$ 5.350
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun - 16 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun - 17 Jun 2025$ 4.300
Related Trips
Arctic
Longyearbyen
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May 2025 - 15 May 2025 
8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.750 per person
% Save up to $ 2.150
Arctic
Aberdeen
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025 10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 1.750 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun 2025 - 16 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun 2025 - 17 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
12 Jun 2025 - 19 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
16 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice
18 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special
19 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
23 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
24 Jun 2025 - 01 Jul 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Blog
Blog
Puffins: Clown Birds of the Atlantic
Puffins are part of a family of 22 seabird species known as auks, which are pigeon-sized birds that thrive on a diet of small fish and crustaceans.
Blog
Polar Bears and Pack Ice: 22 Pics from North Spitsbergen
Last month, we explored one of the premier Arctic cruise destinations in our North Spitsbergen blog. That post not only detailed our itinerary in this breathtaking region but also highlighted some of the stunning locations where you might encounter polar bears, whales, walruses, seals, seabirds, and the mesmerizing ice formations of the far north.
Blog
Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen
Seabirds are the most prevalent type of bird in Spitsbergen. Experts have estimated that there are 164 bird species that have been found throughout Spitsbergen at various points during recent history, but only 30 of them are known to turn to the Svalbard Islands as their primary breeding spot.
Blog
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record
According to polar bear experts Rinie van Meurs and Dr. Ian Stirling, the new record for polar bear diving is an astounding three minutes and 10 seconds. Unless this particular polar bear has an unusually large lung capacity, we can now safely assume that these creatures have the ability to remain underwater for an extended period of time.
Blog
Inside the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Literature, cinema, and even video games often present us with various global disaster scenarios. These typically involve devastating wars, catastrophic natural events, or widespread pandemics that leave survivors scavenging for food and supplies amidst hordes of zombies.
Blog
What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen?
We’ve previously discussed our north Spitsbergen journeys and Spitsbergen circumnavigations, but the eastern parts of this incredible island have not received the attention they deserve. Despite the name, our east Spitsbergen voyages explore much more than just the eastern side of Spitsbergen.
Blog
The Pack Ice and Polar Bears of North Spitsbergen
The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is renowned for being one of the prime locations to observe polar bears. The largest island in this region, Spitsbergen, not only offers sightings of these majestic Arctic creatures but also provides a unique opportunity to experience the phenomenon of pack ice.
Blog
Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear
Polar bears are to the Arctic what penguins are to Antarctica.
Blog
15 Toothy Facts About the Atlantic Walrus
The walrus is one of the most recognizable animals on the planet, and for good reason. Try sneaking into a cinema with those tusks!
Blog
The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain
As apex predators, polar bears reign supreme in the Arctic food chain. Only humans pose a threat to this massive and majestic species. But one look at these magnificent creatures explains why so many people embark on Arctic trips hoping to spot a polar bear in its natural habitat.
Blog
Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic
Blog
“The polar bear will still be there”
For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
Blog
Six Seal Species You Might See On Your Greenland Cruise
If you spot a grand old whiskered man lounging in solitary splendor, there's a good chance you're looking at a bearded seal. Your Greenland cruise will take you to bays where these solitary fellows (except during breeding season) hunt for fish in the relatively shallow waters near the shores.
Blog
Svalbard a Disneyland for geologists
Svalbard is situated in the north-western corner of the Eurasian plate. Historically, Svalbard was part of a vast continent that included North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. At one point, both Northeast Greenland and Svalbard were submerged under the ocean before resurfacing.
Blog
11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic
1. Weddell seals – These seals are known for their calm demeanor and spend most of their lives beneath the Antarctic ice. Although they need to come up for air, they can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes. Weddell seals can dive to depths of 610 meters (2,000 feet) in search of food. These vocal animals usually have one pup annually and can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) and weigh 544 kg (1,200 lbs).
Blog
Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer
Most Arctic expedition cruises can be categorized into two main types: those that operate during the autumn and winter, focusing on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (mid to late summer), concentrating on a broader range of experiences.
Blog
Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic
If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.
Blog
The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard
Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago situated between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, offering visitors some of the most stunning wildlife and landscapes in the world. Here we explore seven of the most visited Svalbard islands, highlighting the many wonders that draw people back year after year.
Blog
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen
The Svalbard archipelago is located in the Arctic Ocean, roughly 660 km (410 miles) north of Norway's northernmost point. This region is a haven for geologists, boasting a rich geological history that spans from the Mesozoic era (65-245 million years ago) through the Cambrian era (570 million years ago) and back to the Archean era, over 3.5 billion years ago.
Blog
Six Must-See Svalbard Sites
It's home to humanity's last-ditch supply of crop seeds, the world's northernmost settlement of over 1,000 people, and it is one of the best places on Earth to spot a polar bear.