The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. Its really special experience to head out to see a whale move greacefully through gentle fjord waters or out across a bay, relatively close to the shore. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. All the year around youll be able to see a variety of whales by the coast, from the minke, humpback and killer whales to whitebeaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. And then theres gps navigation we cant live without siri telling us where to go. This article provides everything you need to know about whale watching in iceland, plus some fun facts about whales in iceland.
Winter is a great time to see orcas in iceland with. If you need it warm and cozy during winter, just follow the gray whales and go to. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Great video from an iceland winter whale watching in snaefellsnes with orcas also called killer whales. Mar 01, 2018 a beached whale was, in hard times, and there were often hard times in iceland, equivalent to a major lottery win. Iceland, with such amazing sites, is indeed the place to be, thanks for writing about the whale watching in iceland and also on what to wear to get the best of the moments. Ten days of winter whale watching in tromso, far beyond the arctic circle. In this article we want to share with you a few photos from our whale watching tour on january 24, 2019. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Please could you tell me, do the watch watching tours still run this time of year.
A minke whale swims near a whale watching boat off reykjavik in this file photo. Over the last two decades, iceland has become one of europes premier whale watching destinations. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter. As a disclaimer i havent been there myself but i guess it should be ok because its off route 1 which gets plowed year round. Please be at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. Nowadays, every so often news reports will carry stories about a beached whale. Whale watching tour from reykjavik must see in iceland. Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to iceland as seeing northern lights, hot springs and glaciers. Whale watching tour from reykjavik experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities.
Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. The success rate of the summer tours is over 95%, in the north, this is even higher at 98%. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. You can prepare yourself before visiting exhibition by downloading whales of. Join us for a chance to encounter the incredible whales and dolphins of faxafloi bay. Mar 03, 2016 the ocean around iceland is cold during winter time and thats when the whales go south to warmer waters, to the caribbean wouldnt we all. On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked dolphins among other whale species. Iceland, a major whaling nation since the late 19th century and a founding member of the iwc, did not formally object to the 1982 decision and was thus bound by the ban. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. Im planning a trip to iceland within the next two months and whale watching is pretty high on my list of awesome things to do. At least one of the reykjavik whalewatching operators publishes their trip diary on the web, so you can read their trip diary for last september and see just what it was like, how many trips were cancelled due to rough seas, how many whales they saw and of what kind. The whales of iceland exhibition, open since 2014, features lifelike fullsized models of the whale species around iceland, an interactive installation, vr and audio guide. Report about orcas in snaefellsnes on january 24, 2019.
Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the. Whales of iceland opened its doors for wdc and erich hoyt who held an impressive lecture to celebrate 25 years of whale watching in iceland. Whales in iceland got a reprieve from hunters last year. Whales of iceland partners with several whale watching companies around iceland. Whale watching in december iceland forum tripadvisor. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Stocks in and around iceland are up from their preiwc moratorium numbers, despite icelandic fin whale harvests over the past few years and no, they dont mix. We are thinking of visting iceland the end of december.
Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Were the oldest whale watching company in iceland, since 1993. Why are there hardly any whale watching tours in iceland during winter. Our skilled whale watching guides will introduce the whales in general, describe the whale species we encounter, and tell us interesting stories about them. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway.
A number of countries, but not iceland, objected to this decision. With luck, marvel at the majestic mammals as they dive and plunge before your eyes. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. Our whale watching boat, rosin the rose, offers an absolute innovation in whale watching adventures in iceland, it is fast and a luxurious whale watching boat, one of its kind in iceland, providing security and luxury for all. Posting your beautiful photos to instagram, keeping people updated with your instastoryadventurers dont quit just because they go on vacation. The seas can be very rough in january, i guess thats why many dont go out especially in smaller boats. When and where to see whales in iceland iceland rovers. Multiple tours are still running, some of which are best in the depths of winter. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you. Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. The tour companies and tourist info websites obviously claim that there is a good chance of seeing whales in the winter, but i cant seem to find any impartial information on whether theres actually any chance of this happening.
The most recent icelandic hvalreki event happened on 26 november 2015, when a beached whale appeared at seltjarnarnes, a lovely peninsula on the. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. You can find the exhibition in reykjavik, icelands capital city. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. I have read that iceland only gets 4 to 5 hours of day light this time of year. Iceland resumed largescale trade in whale products under reservation to japan in 2008. Commercial trade in parts and products from species listed on appendix i is prohibited. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the snaefellsnes peninsula, but tours are also offered starting from the capital reykjavik or from akureyri close to husavik. Later the boat was used for trawling, net and line fishing all the way up to 1990 when it was decommissioned. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. In 1982, the commission took a decision, which came into force for the 1986 and 198586 seasons, that catch limits for all commercial whaling would be set to zero i. The reason is that the whales are busy far away in the caribbean, relaxing and taking care of their newly born offspring.
Whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. If youre visiting iceland during the winter months, you can keep warm with the warm overalls provided. Whale watching around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others. Companies follow a protocol so as not to disturb them any more than than necessary, turning off their motors. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked. Surround yourself in history and visit the old village of hjalteyri, which has a population of 43 inhabitants. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where. Jul 05, 2018 whale watching in iceland is a responsible and highly profitable alternative to the whaling industry, and is growing in popularity as people visit iceland to see these majestic marine mammals. A beached whale was, in hard times, and there were often hard times in iceland, equivalent to a major lottery win. Iceland is cold, snowy, and dark in january, but theres still a wealth of things to do. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Whales in iceland got a reprieve from hunters last year the. I have read a couple of posts on iceland, i never knew about the whale watching aspects until now.
Oct 11, 2017 by far the best time of year for whale watching in iceland is during the summer months, from april through september, when over 20 species of cetaceaincluding the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whalecan be seen in the north atlantic and arctic oceans on either side of the island. Embark on an incredible and affordable whale watching excursion from reykjavik. About whales of iceland open since 2014 lifesized models. As long as you make the most of the light hours, you wont find yourself short of exciting experiences. Plus, snaefellsnes is a wonderful region for winter whale watching in iceland. With the support of wellknown travel websites, such as, the campaign aims to put an. This ocean adventure grants you a fantastic opportunity to see a wealth of marine and bird life, without taking considerable time away from your holiday. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. Iceland joined cites in 2000, and immediately took reservations to the listing of several species of whales, including fin and minke whales, on appendix i. Whaling in iceland began with speardrift hunting as early as the 12th century, and continued in a vestigial form until the late 19th century, when other countries introduced modern commercial practices. There are probably no more than 50,000 to 100,000 fin whales in the north atlantic ocean, so it is remarkable they are sighted as frequently as they are. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic.
During summer, chances to see orcas are good as well but not as regularly as during. Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. So remember the sea can be rough, it will be very very cold and damp. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife it offers. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic whaletrips.
On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises. After selecting a departure time to suit your schedule, climb aboard a traditional icelandic oak ship and set sail for a prime whalewatching destination on the icy ocean. Incredible blue whales are, also, far more prevalent in the waters around north iceland. This region of iceland is very quiet during winter and you can experience iceland in a very authentic way. The supporters of this campaign would like iceland to understand that the public will not support icelands whale sighting tourism while the country slaughters whales. After selecting a departure time to suit your schedule, climb aboard a traditional icelandic oak ship and set sail for a prime whalewatching destination on the icy. When you go whale watching in iceland, rest assured that the whale watching companies iceland conduct their activities with respect for the gentle giants. Hjalteyri whale watching try a unique whale watching tour from the charming village of hjalteyri, a well kept secret in the heart of north iceland, only a 15 minute drive from akureyri. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and iceland. During winter, whitebeaked dolphins are also regular guests in this area. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often painting the sky bright orange or pink.
I am more so drawn to the misconception among iceland tourists that whale meat described as steak with a fishlike flavor is a local specialty worth trying. Baleen whales are a migratory species, and most travel long distances to tropical waters in winter and back to polar regions in summer. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where you will check, in real, how big are these mammals, as they are real scale handmade models that will make you feel that you are swimming in the ocean with them, listening them singing under the water, and also you will see how do their filters and different parts of their bodies like. But it is not all bad and in between some stormy periods, we also get perfect sunny days. Icelandic goats, whales, sheep, cats, horses, reindeer, the list of animals to be found in and around iceland is definitely not endless, but the country is home to. Would love to do whale watching in reykjavik in march. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often. Its 2016 and everyone still wants to be connected to wifi, even while theyre traveling. This is the original whale watching tour from reykjavik and one of the most popular attractions in iceland. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland.
Team of iceland unlimited recommends all travelers and especially families to visit this spectacular museum iceland unlimited team visited whales of iceland museum in reykjavik, the largest whale exhibition in europe. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Theres also some places for opportunistic whale watching while doing a regular nature tour, i. Northern norway is one of the best places to see northern lights and whales. Best value whale watching trip from reykjavik guide to iceland. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. Whales and dolphins are at their greatest numbers during the summer months between april and october when the marine beasts come to feed on the plankton that thrives on the nutrientrich deposits of icelands bays. Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour. If there are no sightings on the tour, you can use your ticket number to reschedule your reservation and join another tour for free. Tips for animallovers visiting iceland in winter whats on in iceland. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience.
Iceland whale watching in january orcas in snaefellsnes. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. Realize your dreams of watching humpback whales and orcas in their natural environment on a 3hour original whale watching tour from husavik, capital of whale watching in iceland. Minke whales, harbor porpoises, whitebeaked dolphins and humpback whales are the most commonly spotted sea creatures on. Of the 23 different species of whale found in iceland s waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions.
Elding participates and support marine biologists research. The ultimate guide to iceland in january guide to iceland. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. Over 20 species of whales inhabit the waters around iceland, appearing during different seasons of the year and at varying levels of frequency. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object clarification needed to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling commission in 1986, and that still. When visiting iceland in january you have to be prepared for rough weather since it is not only the coldest but also one of the darkest months of the year. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. In this post, im sharing the pros and cons of 5 different. Another advantage is fin whales are often spotted on whale watching boat trips from north iceland. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. In 1982, the international whaling commission iwc imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986. Whale watching iceland january orcas in snaefellsnes. Whale watching in iceland is a responsible and highly profitable alternative to the whaling industry, and is growing in popularity as people visit iceland to see these majestic marine mammals.
These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. Since iceland resumed whaling in 2003 first under the guise of scientific whaling, later as commercial whaling greenpeace has worked to stop whaling in iceland, shares norman. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. Iceland whale watching in january orcas in snaefellsnes jan. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. The declining demand for both minke and fin whale meat has forced hvalur hf to dispose of excess whale meat creatively. Within a few minutes i spot minke whale on a restaurant menu next to a selection of puffin tapas. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. A minke whale swims near a whalewatching boat off reykjavik on april 23.
1504 847 597 1561 877 1245 901 915 1032 1133 1394 367 1547 1371 1141 92 1433 1268 1327 422 920 423 908 212 1409 11 76 544 1140 935