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
24 Apr - 01 May 2026$ 3.950
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
01 May - 08 May 2026$ 3.950
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
27 May - 05 Jun 2026$ 3.100
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Hike & Sail
29 May - 05 Jun 2026$ 4.000
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
05 Jun - 12 Jun 2026$ 4.500
Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
05 Jun - 13 Jun 2026$ 2.800
Related Trips
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
24 Apr 2026 - 01 May 2026 
8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.950 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
01 May 2026 - 08 May 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.950 per person
The Arctic
Aberdeen
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
27 May 2026 - 05 Jun 2026 10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 3.100 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Hike & Sail
29 May 2026 - 05 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.000 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
05 Jun 2026 - 12 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
The Arctic
Akureyri
Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
05 Jun 2026 - 13 Jun 2026 9 Days / 8 Nights
From $ 2.800 per person
The Arctic
Aberdeen
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Summer Solstice
12 Jun 2026 - 21 Jun 2026 10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 3.100 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
12 Jun 2026 - 19 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
13 Jun 2026 - 20 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice - Free Kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Diving (supplemented)
19 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
20 Jun 2026 - 27 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
The Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
21 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2026 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.500 per person
Blog
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
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
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
Svalbard vs. the Canadian Arctic
It’s easy to assume the Arctic is uniform, a vast expanse of northern freeze shaped by snow, ice, and endless darkness.
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
Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip
On the third day of our Svalbard cruise, we navigated through the sea ice north of Spitsbergen. The morning greeted us with fog and fragmented ice, but conditions gradually improved. A swarm of black-legged kittiwakes trailed behind us, as our ship stirred the waters, pushing aside ice floes to reveal the tiny dark polar cod beneath.
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
Svalbard’s Texas Bar
Texas Bar is one of the historic areas we visit on certain Svalbard trips, and it always proves to be a cherished landing site among both our guides and guests. This might be surprising, however, given that its name can be a bit misleading.
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 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
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Many of our expedition cruises focus on specific areas of the Arctic or Antarctica, delving deep into local wildlife and other natural highlights. However, some programs aim to provide a broader survey, visiting a variety of sites to offer guests a wider perspective.
Blog
Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts
When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.
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
Polar Bear Primer: Eight Facts About the Arctic Wanderer
Polar bears inhabit the Arctic region across 19 subpopulations, including areas in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. These majestic creatures prefer the edges of pack ice where currents and wind interact, creating a dynamic environment of melting and refreezing that forms ice patches and leads, which are open spaces in the sea between sea ice.
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
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
Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
Blog
Around Spitsbergen vs. North Spitsbergen
Svalbard, particularly Spitsbergen, was the first polar expedition cruise destination. It's no surprise that there are numerous trip programs available in this region. Among the most unique are the Around Spitsbergen and North Spitsbergen cruises.
Blog
Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic
Blog
Arctic Seals
Owing to the large landmasses that populate the Northern Hemisphere, the Arctic boasts the most diverse wildlife among the planet’s polar regions. Some of the most captivating Arctic animals are the marine mammals found just offshore.