Northern bottlenose whales reach up to 9.8 m in length, averaging 6.7–7.6 m. They reach sexual maturity at an age of between 7–14 years and weigh between 5,800–7,500 kg. Males are about 25% larger than females.

Mating occurs in spring and early summer, and calves are born from April to June following a year-long gestation period. New-born calves measure about 3.5 m in length and are usually chocolate brown in colour.

Northern bottlenose whales can be found from the polar ice of the North Atlantic to Long Island Sound and to the Cape Verde Islands. They are commonly found in deep water over 1,000 m.

They make long, deep dives for up to 70 minutes and dive to 80–800 m on average. The maximum recorded dive for this species is 1,453 m.

Northern bottlenose whales can live up to 37 years.