In summer months, they move closer to coasts, often in pods of 10–100. In the winter, they move to offshore, deeper waters under thick pack ice, surfacing in narrow fissures in the sea ice, or leads. As spring comes, these leads open up into channels and the narwhals return to the coastal bays.

How do narwhals travel?

Like many other whales, Narwhals travel in groups, or pods. On average these pods consist of 15 to 20 individuals. On occasion, though, multiple pods will meet and socialize. During these times, up to 100 Narwhals can be found congregating.

How do narwhals move through the water?

Migration towards shallower water around coasts in the summer when the females give birth and then further offshore in the winter (behavioural) - In the winter narwhals move offshore into deeper water where they live amongst open water leads, long strips of ice free areas through the thick pack ice or in polynyas, ...