Virtual whale watching in HARPA

For Reykjavík Cultural Night last month we took on a quite peculiar role. This was land based whale watching, and more over from within the comfort of the concert hall and conference centre HARPA. We had everything there; boats, life wests, big screens and great captures of local whales swimming freely in the real world and even a slight ocean spray every now and then. We also brought along baleens and whale teeth and other interesting stuff you don't see every day.

Our tour guides Freydís and Aldís welcomed hundreds of local kids and their parents on board for one of many exciting virtual tours that day. They got the kids inspired to look for signs of whales such as a blow, a splash, a dorsal fin or from the projected videos around the room. It surely didn't take long until there was someone screeching at the front that they'd seen a whale.

Although it took quite some time setting up and preparing the project it was well worth it. Our aim was to educate and increase the interest in these wonderful whales that live so close to us. It lived up to all our expectations and for us it was just fantastic experiencing the kids empathy during the tour. We are sure we have inspired them to join an actual whale watching tour some day soon and that they'll be more aware of the increasing threats that whales are facing around the world.

This virtual tour is an idea we got from the super fun and exciting Whale Fest which will be held again in Brighton from 14-16 March 2014. Mark the date and we surely hope to see you there.