Photographer Captures Likely First Ever Underwater Images of World’s Rarest Seal

A wildlife photographer has likely secured the first-ever underwater images of a Ross seal, one of the Antarctic’s most elusive and mysterious marine mammals. Until now, these rare animals—the smallest of the Antarctic true seal family—had only been documented while hauled out on sea ice.

Justin Hofman, an underwater photographer with Lindblad Expeditions, shared the remarkable series of photographs on Instagram on December 26, 2025. The images capture the creature suspended in the deep blue, freezing waters of the Antarctic, showcasing its distinct, slender physique as it glides past the lens.

Despite spending 15 seasons documenting the Antarctic, Hofman had only encountered a Ross seal twice in his career: once on the surface of the ice, and now, this unprecedented underwater encounter. Because the species is notoriously shy and prefers the remote, dense pack ice zones south of 60°S latitude, they remain one of the least understood animals in the Southern Ocean, with very few documented sightings.

A Chance Encounter in the Deep South

Hofman noted that while the claim is not yet definitively verified, the evidence strongly suggests these are the first photographs of their kind. He had harbored a long-standing ambition to capture the species beneath the waves, though he admitted he viewed it as a near-impossible goal. Most of his previous expeditions did not venture far enough into the pack ice where these seals typically reside.

The opportunity arose during a voyage aboard the National Geographic Resolution, which reached latitudes further south than any of Hofman’s previous expeditions. “I never thought that it was an actual possibility because these animals are so rarely seen and are generally so far south,” he remarked in his social media post.

Anatomy of a Ghostly Predator

The captured images reveal the characteristic features of the species, including large, dark eyes and a thick, sturdy neck. The Ross seal is often identified by the broad, dark stripes found along its body, a feature clearly visible as the animal navigates the water column. Unlike other seals that might be found in shallower coastal regions, the Ross seal is an expert diver, capable of descending to depths of nearly 1,000 feet to hunt for squid and Antarctic silverfish.

According to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), these creatures are well-adapted to the harsh conditions of their habitat, often remaining submerged for more than 20 minutes at a time. This specialized, high-latitude lifestyle makes them exceptionally difficult to study, let alone photograph, effectively rendering this encounter a significant milestone for polar wildlife research.

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