The only sea in Europe to freeze annually, Russia’s White Sea is part of the Arctic Ocean basin. One of the most incredible marine mammals in the world takes up residence here; Beluga whales live in the White Sea year round, and bear their calves in its chilly waters. Whether you dive or snorkel with whales contained in a natural habitat or enjoy a chance meeting with them in open waters, the experience will be truly unforgettable.
Beluga Whales
Sometimes called white whales, Beluga whales are also known as sea canaries due to their haunting songs, and are sometimes called squid hounds, as squid are their favorite prey. With stout, muscular bodies and rounded melons, small beaks and tiny eyes, their name, “Beluga” means “White One” in Russian. Baby Belugas have a blue to brownish-red tint to their skin, which changes to all white when they mature at about 6 years of age at a length of 12-13 feet long. Slow swimmers most of the time, Beluga whales can dive to incredible depths of more than 1,300 meters; however, they normally hunt at depths between 20 and 30 feet. They tend to surface for air every 3-15 minutes.
Diving and Snorkeling with Beluga Whales
The best opportunity to dive or snorkel with the White Sea’s Beluga whales is to meet them in a natural habitat which is located near the Arctic Circle Dive Center. This huge enclosure separates the inlet and the whales it contains from the sea via an enormous net that allows them to live and feed normally. A joint project between the dive center and Utrish Dolphinarium, which is owned by the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, which is part of Russia’s Academy of Sciences, has been implemented to study and conserve the species.
The sanctuary acts as a nursery for young Belugas and is also a transition point for former performing Beluga whales, where the animals may reacquaint themselves with a natural habitat prior to being released into the White Sea. In addition, whales under threat from pollution and loss of habitat are brought here to transition toward safety, away from old threatened habitats.
To dive here, you don’t need to remove your clothing like Russian scientist and freediving champion Natalia Avseenko, who swims naked with the whales in icy water, while holding her breath for more than ten minutes at a time. Instead, you’ll be wearing a drysuit or wetsuit appropriate for the season, since this cold water is capable of actually killing a normal unprotected human in about 15 minutes. Avseenko eschews wetsuits since the whales seem to interact better when she dives nude, and some scientists believe that the whales dislike the chemical odor of the synthetic materials used in protective gear. Still, the Belugas are friendly. They will look you right in the eye and sometimes will come up and invite a touch.
Snorkeling with the whales is permitted, and is not difficult, so even kids can do it. In addition, the whales and their trainers interact a few times each day, with the trained whales performing their favorite tricks as they have been conditioned to do.
Traveling to Russia to swim with Belugas in the White Sea takes serious preparation, and all visitors from foreign nations must have Russian travel visas, which are obtainable at any Russian Embassy. Well worth the effort, this is an amazing experience everyone who loves whales ought to consider.