This species generally occurs in deep, cold temperate and subpolar waters, especially in areas with steep-bottomed slopes beyond the continental shelf edge (Kasuya 2009). However, some sightings have been associated with shallower regions, coastal waters, continental slopes or seamounts (Jefferson et al. 1993). Hobson and Martin (1996) observed groups of Arnoux’s Beaked Whales near the Antarctic Peninsula and found that their breath-holding capabilities make this species one of the most accomplished mammalian divers, capable of swimming up to an estimated 7 km between breathing sites in sea ice. The species seems well-adapted to life in ice-covered waters and may be able to exploit food resources inaccessible to other predators in the region (Ponganis et al. 1995).

Little is known of the feeding habits of Arnoux's Beaked Whales but they are assumed to be similar to those of their Northern Hemisphere relatives, Baird's Beaked Whales, with primary prey species consisting of benthic and pelagic fishes and cephalopods (Jefferson et al. 1993, Culik 2004). Therefore, Brownell and Ainley (2009) suggested that Antarctic toothfish and the most-caught by-catch species, macrourids, in the Area 88 fishery are likely important components in their diet.

Arnoux's Beaked Whales are found in a circumpolar pattern in the southern Hemisphere from the Antarctic continent and ice edges (ca. 78°S) north to about 34°S in the South Pacific (Kasuya 2009). They may even reach as far north as 24°N in the South Atlantic off Brazil. Sightings are regularly reported such that the species can be considered uncommon but nowhere within this range are they very well known or considered common. Most of the reported sightings are from the Doubtful Sound, New Zealand; Tasman Sea and around the Albatross Cordillera in the South Pacific (MacLeod et al. 2006). There are also sightings close to the Antarctic coast (Brownell 1974, Ponganis et al. 1995, Hobson and Martin, 1996), Friedlander et al. 2009). The overwhelming majority of strandings have been from around New Zealand (Balcomb 1989, Jefferson et al. 1993). The northernmost records are strandings from Brazil, South Africa, and Australia (Paterson and Parker 1994, Culik 2004), from latitudes south of approximately 40°S (Macleod et al. 2006).

The species is listed on Appendix I of CITES.