Which penguin can dive the deepest?
The emperor penguin is the deepest-diving penguin and the deepest-diving bird of any kind. The confirmed record depth is 564 meters (1,850 feet), and they can hold their breath for over 20 minutes. King penguins are the second-deepest divers, regularly reaching 300 meters. By comparison, most other penguin species rarely exceed 100 meters. Emperor penguins achieve these extraordinary dives through physiological adaptations including high myoglobin concentrations in their muscles, the ability to dramatically slow their heart rate, and solid (non-pneumatic) bones that reduce buoyancy.
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Reference bodies behind our comparison answers. Links last checked August 5, 2026.
- IUCN Red List - Global conservation assessments and extinction-risk categories.
- BirdLife Data Zone - Species accounts, distribution, and population summaries.
- Smithsonian Ocean Portal - Penguin biology, anatomy, and breeding explainers.