Go in search of arctic whales on a whale watching excursion in north iceland. Gg1 whale watching experience the mammals of the ocean. The north of iceland is known as the capital of whale watching. Explore the baltic states, russia, iceland, and the arctic circle on a globus escorted tour to northern europe. Dalvik is a charming fishing village sitting on the western bank of the photogenic eyjafjor. We offer multiday tours going to the amazing destinations and attractions of north iceland including a visit to iceland s second largest city, akureyri and the beautiful lake myvatn, see go. You have probably heard that husavik is a great place for whale watching. Husavik has been branded the whalewatching capital of iceland due to its many different species of whales that frequently enter the bay. Most of the whale watching tours sail out from the old harbour in reykjavik as well as neighbouring areas in reykjanesb. This is the perfect tour for all naturelovers travelling in north iceland. 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. With only 12 passengers on each boat, we can guarantee an adventure of a lifetime on an intimate whale watching tour. North sailing offers various kinds of sea tours where whale and nature watching play an important role. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog.
Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. North sailing also has many highly experienced guides that are trained to spot exciting activity and interesting animals in the ocean. Green whale watching husavik on the ecofriendly opal. Whale and puffin watching tours allow you to get up close and personal with icelands most astonishing wildlife.
A number of countries, but not iceland, objected to this decision. 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. 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. Our whale watching trips have an incredible success rate 98 % when it comes to catching a glimpse of these gentle giants. Exhibition whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. Husavik original whale watching iceland on the web.
Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Minimize your carbon footprint and join the electric sailboat opal for a green whale watching of a lifetime. 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. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. It is a unique adventure at sea watching the wonders of nature in the beautiful surroundings of skjalfandi bay, sheltered by the stunning mountains of vik. The whales of husavik, iceland voices for biodiversity. Picture from whale watching in akureyri and reykjavik.
Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling. Apr 01, 20 if you find yourself in north iceland, you should definitely check out the north sailing whale watching tour in husavik. Midatlantic offers a great platform for travel industry professionals from around the world to meet, work together and exchange ideas, in iceland a hub between europe and. These energetic and touristfriendly behaviors bring pure joy to everyone. 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. Rib whale watching is a thrilling experience from dalvik village in north iceland. The fauna of the husavik area in north iceland revolves mostly around whales. Watching a whale off north iceland will fascinate anyone. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik. Whale watching tours that leave from akureyri and husavik, into eyjafjor. 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.
However the weather in iceland changes quickly, so conditions can deteriorate. We bring you to the best places to watch whales in iceland. Whale watching in north icelands skjalfandi bay is a fantastic experience, letting you encounter the marine wildlife first hand, and each tour is unique. The annual icelandair midatlantic tradeshow was held in reykjavik last week and gentle giants took an active part as usual. The declining demand for both minke and fin whale meat has forced hvalur hf to dispose of excess whale meat creatively. 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. Now the tour is available carbonneutral, a 100% natural experience on silent, green energy, electric boats with minimum disturbance to whales and nature. Visit the whales of iceland exhibition with lifesized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality. Petersburg, red square in moscow, frogner park in oslo, the little mermaid statue in copenhagen, the lutheran. The good old whale watching tour with a little sea angling at the end of the tour. Whale watching husavik, iceland gentle giants whale.
The cool, clear north atlantic and arctic oceans encircling iceland are teeming with whales of various sizes and species. Being upclose to these incredible creatures was truly amazing and the service was excellent. Blue whales have arrived in north iceland iceland monitor. Arctic adventures offers a variety of whale watching tours, both from reykjavik and dalvik in the north of iceland. The speed gives us an excellent opportunity to go further and sail through a wider area. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. Between 2012 and 20, the number of whale watchers increased by 45,000, and the total number is now around 200,000 annually. The roads can be very icy and snow covered, visibility can be poor from low cloud or blowing snow. Were the oldest whale watching company in iceland, since 1993.
The north of iceland is known for rich marine life and diversity of whales. Set sail from dalvik harbor and cruise past humpback and minke whales, and white beaked dolphins. The experience becomes complete by seeing dolphins and minke, humpback or even blue whales play beside one of the particularly appealing oakwood boats used exclusively in north iceland. In 1982, the international whaling commission iwc imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986. You will enjoy a fantastic scenery, birdlife, and of course the diverse range of whale species of eyjafjordur. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. The whale watching was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to iceland. 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. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland.
Three popular spots for whale safaris are husavik, akureyri and. North iceland activities and tour packages extreme iceland. Whale watching hauganes is the oldest whale watching tour operator in iceland based just 25 minute drive north from akureyri. The blue whale balaenoptera musculus, bottlenose whales hyperoodon ampullatus and killer whale orcinus orca are examples of such oceanic animals, they are sometimes but. As an endangered species, the fin whale is not frequently seen around iceland but sightings do happen in the north and south waters during the summer months june to august. Our birthplace is often considered as the whale watching capital of europe. Usually it only takes us a couple of minutes to sail to the whales because they are just in front of our little village in north iceland. 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.
Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. I traveled there in august 2016 to conduct research for my masters thesis i wanted to interview husavik locals to better understand the dynamics of the community and uncover their perceptions of the role whale ecotourism plays for iceland and its whales. Departing from numerous destinations across the country, these boat excursions provide for an intimate and unforgettable experience. Multiday tours from reykjavik that include north iceland. Three mps had also called for an inquiry into whaling in the autumn of 2012. There is a small town in northern iceland that describes itself as europes best whalewatching destination.
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. Recommended by thousands of satisfied travelers worldwide the original husavik whale watching tour is an authentic wildlife adventure by the pioneers of whale watching in iceland. Sep 12, 2017 husavik whale museum north iceland the gone gurl. Whale watching in north iceland visit north iceland. Arctic whale watching from dalvik north iceland dalvik. Whereas agriculture is the mainstay of rural areas, the towns depend upon fishing, industry, trade and a range of services, with each village having its own characteristics though they all prove hospitable hosts. The standard whale watching boat trip whales sighted on 98% of trips will take you across this long mountainframed fjord. Whale watching hauganes 2020 all you need to know before. A humpback whale has been freed from fishing nets by the coast guard off the south coast of the langanes peninsula in northwestern iceland. Just 10 minutes north of hauganes is the scenic village of dalvik, at the mouth of svarfa.
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. Experience and get close to the incredible humpback whales of the eyjafjord, starting from the capital of north iceland, akureyri. Blue whales venture into the bay in late winter and. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. On this tour we also include a visit to the puffin island, where you can experience thousands of puffins, the clowns of the ocean, during the nesting period april 15th august 20th. Speedboat whale watching tour in husavik north iceland. The whales most frequently seen on our trips are minke and humpback whales, and we sometimes see dolphins, porpoises, and other species too. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. About whales of iceland open since 2014 lifesized models. Husavik traditional whale watching guide to iceland. The number of species, along with favourable weather and sea conditions, make north iceland one of the best icelandic areas for spotting whales. Whale watching hauganes is located on the west side in the middle of eyjafjordur bay, only 25 min drive from akureyri and 12 minutes from dalvik, where the ferry goes to grimsey island. Delight in the scenic natural wonders of our scandinavia tours, including magnificent waterfalls and fjords, and see the mustsee sightsthe hermitage museum in st.
The ocean around iceland and in eyjafjordur has a variety of quality fish and we, as experienced fishermen, can almost guarantee that youll get a catch if you try. Already thousands of tourists have enjoyed whale watching from various sites around the country. Whale watching is operated from various locations around iceland. Commonly, we see humpback whales, minke whales, harbour porpoise, and white beaked dolphins. North sailing is a whale watching tour operator and fully licenced travel agency in husavik and olafsfjor. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whalewatching trips from various places around iceland.
There are excellent whale watching opportunities in north iceland. But did you know that husavik is also the only place in iceland where. There is a pretty good chance that you will see a humpback whale on any whale watching tour in iceland, especially in north and west iceland. The tour departs from the town of husavik which sits on the banks of skjalfandi bay, northeast iceland. 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. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch. Mar 14, 2017 biggest mammals on earth, blue whales have been spotted at skjalfandafloi, the bay north of whale watching town husavik in north iceland. Dalvik is an old fishing village and a commercial port for fisheries and goods in the area.
Many whale species have been seen in whale watching tours off northern iceland but as most whale species are oceanic and avoid the coast some of them are quite rare. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Humpback whales have in recent years been the main attraction, as well as the minke whales, and the chances of spotting the whitebeaked dolphin and the harbour porpoise are also high. Whale watching sea angling tours in north iceland whales. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Go in search of arctic whales on a whalewatching excursion in north iceland. If you find yourself in north iceland, you should definitely check out the north sailing whale watching tour in husavik. Whales of iceland joined forces with the marine research institute of iceland for an excursion to eyjafjor. Try a spot of sea angling, and discover how to cut and cook fish. Im not too sure if whale watching would be that special if you are seasick.
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