Hydrurga leptonyx is most common in the polar and subpolar waters of the Southern Hemisphere, along the coast of Antarctica and on most sub-Antarctic islands. Some individuals can be found on the coasts of South Africa, southern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, the Cook Islands, Tierra del Fuego, and the Atlantic coast of South America.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Native ); australian (Native ); antarctica (Native ); oceanic islands (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native ); pacific ocean (Native )