Just 10 minutes north of hauganes is the scenic village of dalvik, at the mouth of svarfa. 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. If you decide that this is the tour for you, there are tour operators around the country who can offer you a memorable cruise in icelandic waters, many of which also offer. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. Most likely whales august in august you can meet right whales in argentina, humpbacks in greenland and iceland or orcas, humpbacks and gray whales alltogether along the beautiful fjords of alaska. 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. Japan also agreed not to purchase whale meat from iceland to secure fishing rights in alaskan waters. The star of the free willy movie was captured in iceland in 1979. Between 2012 and 20, the number of whale watchers increased by 45,000, and the total number is now around 200,000 annually.
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. Orca guardians iceland is the first icelandic conservation nonprofit of its kind, dedicated specifically to the protection of orcas in the waters around iceland. The largest whale museum in europe allows visitors to walk among lifesize giants. How likely are we to see whales at that time of year. It wasnt until my trip to reykjavik, iceland that this dream came true. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx.
But with almost everything else in the animal kingdom, there are seasons for everything and your best chances to get a glimpse on these majestic animals is from april to october. These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. 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. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Theres also some places for opportunistic whale watching while doing a regular nature tour, i. June 2020, we are happy to offer you this 8day trip to the midnight sun period in iceland, humpback whale watching, swimming in the northern blue lagoon.
Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. The best time for spotting whales around iceland is the summer. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. The chances to see blue whales in reykjavik are also in june very limited or better said almost 0%.
The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds on them, while the majestic sperm whale is. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. Whale watching in june reykjavik forum tripadvisor. 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. In 1998, he was flown back to iceland and a plan to return him to the wild was set to action. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked. Baleen whales are a migratory species, and most travel long distances to tropical waters in winter and back to polar regions in summer. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. On the 28th of june, the organization orca guardians iceland was launched. Soon the summer will be upon us and our lovely eyjafjor.
Apr 14, 2017 after all, whalewatching is only one great way to spend your time in iceland, and if youre keen to get out on the water, theres more than one way to make it happen. It is possible to see some species of whales and dolphins at other times of the year as migratory patterns vary between the species so winter sailings are still an option in. Iceland resumed largescale trade in whale products under reservation to japan in 2008. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. Commercial trade in parts and products from species listed on appendix i is prohibited. 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. 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. Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. 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. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway.
Dalvik is an old fishing village and a commercial port for fisheries and goods in the area. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whalewatching trips from various places around iceland. 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. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. From april to october, the city of husavik turns into heaven for whale loversthe coastal area is so full of them. Apr 05, 2019 the best time for whale watching in iceland is the summer june, july, and august when the wildlife is at its peak and when whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Whales of iceland reykjavik, iceland atlas obscura. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience.
Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. 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. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. 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.
In the summer of 2014, i saw the minke whale feeding off the coast. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Iceland was required to submit a full research proposal in 1988. 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. Whale watching from reykjavik in september is definitely a good. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. 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. Whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds on them, while the majestic sperm whale is the worlds largest predatory animal. 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. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips.
Whitebeaked dolphins and minke whales are common and occasionally other species such as humpback whale and orca can also be seen along with puffins, fulmars, gannets. They are lurking around all year round though, i would very much like to point that out. The whale watching begins march 1, so its a perfect timing the day is getting longer, the snow is slowly disappearing, and the whales are reappearing in larger numbers than ever before. The high season for whale watching tours is from april to midoctober.
Tours start at olafsvik summer and grundarfjordur winter. It is possible to see some species of whales and dolphins at other times of the year as migratory patterns vary between the species so winter sailings are still an option in some parts of the country. The best whale spotting opportunities occur from mid june to august, which coincides with iceland s peak tourist season. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year.
Whales are drawn by fish and so every selfrespecting tourist is there to see the miracle. Ive searched the forum and some say dalvik is better. And of course, feel free to share it with your friends who might be interested in seeing whales. This is the original whale watching tour from reykjavik and one of the most popular attractions in iceland.
The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Exhibition whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. The best whale spotting opportunities occur from midjune to august, which coincides with icelands peak tourist season. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. The event was held at the whales of iceland exhibition in reykjaviks old harbour area, where, surrounded by lifesize models of the 23 species of whale and dolphin found in icelands waters, guests from icelands whale watching, research.
The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik. Last night, wdc was delighted to host a packed event commemorating 25 years of whale watching in iceland. 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. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. The best time for whale watching in iceland is the summer june, july, and august when the wildlife is at its peak and when whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Get a boat and sail into this new exciting adventure. Iceland has blacksand beaches, natural springs, ice caves, whale watching, and a manmade lagoon that glows blue. 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. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. By 1989, boycotts of icelandic fish, organized by greenpeace and other antiwhaling organizations, began to take a toll on iceland s economy. 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. Whale watching on the snaefellsnes peninsula guide to iceland.
Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. Get app whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. Orcas, also known as killer whales, and sperm whales. 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. 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. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Trip would seem expensive if we came back after no sightings. The whaleplanner august a whale watching infographic. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland.
Three mps had also called for an inquiry into whaling in the autumn of 2012. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. 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. 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. In winter, iceland is one of the best places in the world to observe whales, too. Keep in mind that whales are lurking in the deep throughout the year. Visit the whales of iceland exhibition with lifesized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality experience. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whale watching trips from various places around iceland. Iceland is a country known for its natural wonders. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save the graphic on the next page. Whale watching season is from april to midoctober with a peak in june.
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