Iceland resumed largescale trade in whale products under reservation to japan in 2008. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Many whale watching tours in the north of iceland usually stop. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. Of the 23 different species of whale found in icelands waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland. As reykjavik continues to rise as a popular destination for travelers from around the world, more and more options are popping up for whale watching. Below is a list of the most common species found on whale watching tours in iceland, followed by honourable mentions of some lesscommon ones. Departures available from reykjavik or meet on location. There is plenty of food in the bay at the moment with numerous humpbacks deepfeeding on herring. Discover the magnificent nature of skjalfandi bay observing whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
The longest blue whale on record measured over about 200 tons two times heavier than the largest of the dinosaurs. The largest whale museum in europe allows visitors to walk among lifesize giants. 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. Blue whales are most commonly seen on tours from north iceland in summer. Our whale watching grounds include minke whales, whitebeaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and the great humpback whale. You can prepare yourself before visiting exhibition by downloading whales of. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. Where is the best location in iceland to see whales. Things to do in iceland in september no matter the time of the year, there are a number of unmissable icelandic sights and adventures, like traversing the golden circle s sightseeing route, going on a whale watching tour, taking a dip in the blue lagoon, and seeing what the capital city, reykjavik, has to offer.
There are companies in iceland that run tours throughout the year. You may well see whale on the menu in icelands restaurants after all, they are central to the icelandic way of life. 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. In the winter months, and even as early as september, the most magical displays of auroras will often appear in the skies of iceland. In the last couple of days, we have had up to seven. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. Average temperatures in iceland in september range between 6 and. Both fishing villages are located on the north side of sn. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Last year we visited iceland in the period 1730 september. Whale watching in husavik, iceland rough guides rough. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. 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. From april to september the boat departs from olafsvik.
This tour combines some of the most popular attractions in iceland in winter time a classic whale watching in the afternoon and a northern lights cruise in the. Migrating whales flock to this bay, and sighting success rates are the highest in iceland. The best season for whale watching in most parts of iceland is between april and. The peak season for activity is from june to august. In the unlikely event of no whale or dolphin sightings, you will be offered to join a classic whale watching tour on the bigger vessels free of charge. Watching the social dynamics of humpback whale individuals is fascinating, with different combinations of individuals together each day. Puffins only colonise iceland during a limited time 15 may 15 august and therefore tours undertaken out of this timeframe are not guaranteed to see them. In iceland, whales can be observed all year round and in the. Make the most of your day and check out the various tours you can combine with your whale watching tour. Whales of iceland reykjavik, iceland atlas obscura. Theres also some places for opportunistic whale watching while doing a regular nature tour, i. 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.
The laugavegur hiking trail already sold out the entire summer of 20. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Whale watching in septemberoctober iceland message. 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. These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Holmavik, the place to be for iceland whale watching in. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Iceland refuses to recognise the ban and currently allocates its whalers a quota to kill endangered fin whales the second largest creature on earth as well as minke whales. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog.
Elding even take a few pictures too which were free to download. Killer whale close to haguanes whale watching north iceland. Does whale watching from reykjavik make sense at this time. For exclusive tours please send us an inquiry at eldingatelding. Whale watching tour from reykjavik must see in iceland.
The best guide to iceland in september guide to iceland. 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. Review of classic whale watching the original from reykjavik. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour.
At least one of the reykjavik whale watching 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. 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. Hi, im thinking of visiting iceland in late september. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where. Whales of iceland opened its doors for wdc and erich hoyt who held an impressive lecture to celebrate 25 years of whale watching in. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. The best time to watch whales in iceland is from april until september, when over 20 species of cetacea can be observed. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. Please, be aware that due to environmental reasons, during certain times of the year your trip may be delivered on a shared boat with one of the tour providers partners.
On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. We tried to make a whale watching boat trip from husavik but at that moment this was not possible, the last boat trip was on 20 september. 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. 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. Most of the animal is black, with the exception of the belly which is white right up to the beak. 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. Are different whales sighted or do certain types have more likelihood of sightings during different times of year. Commercial trade in parts and products from species listed on appendix i is prohibited. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Minke whales are by far the most common great whale in iceland s. Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. Icelandic whalers have slaughtered more than 1,700 whales fin, minke and sei whales since the global ban on commercial whaling came into force in 1986. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world.
Enjoy the smooth, safe sailing of a traditional icelandic oak boat with a cup of hot cocoa and a cinnamon bun. The fact that in icelandic the word for beached whale hvalreki is the same as that for jackpot or windfall may give you some clue as to how these seaborne beasts are seen by the locals. Iceland whale watching in september come to holmavik. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Later the boat was used for trawling, net and line fishing all the way up to 1990 when it was decommissioned. 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. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked. Minke whales are the other most common type of whale spotted around iceland.
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