Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Today we will be operating our Classic Whale Watching on our lovely vessel Eldey at 9:00, 13:00, 17:00 and 19:00 and our just as lovely Hafsúlan at 11:00 and 15:00. Our Premium Whale Watching tour will operate on Þruma I-V at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 20:00.

• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR |10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 20:00

Report from Eldey: In the warming sun, we sailed out this morning hoping to continue on a great streak of multiple good days. Very quickly into the tour, all started to notice the numerous flocks of black-bak gulls and Arctic terns fishing through the bay. Under one of them was our first sighting: out of the 3 humpback whales seen during the tour, this first one made a grand opening, lunge feeding several times under the birds before calmly resting and finishing with a fluke dive. Later on, as we headed farther in the bay following other signs of activity, 1 very small minke whale passed quickly by us. We managed to stay for quite a while with 2 new humpbacks, several fluke dives and blows close to our boat, before realising another species was here: 3 pods of white beaked dolphins, with over 10 individuals were feeding with one of the humpbacks. Previously all hidden under the surface, the dolphins decided to show their white beaks and even jump out several times, as a amazing last sighting to finish this very fulfilling tour.

- Alex Paumier

Report from Hafsulan: The sky was blue, the experience true, the whales were beautiful and so are you! We sailed out in a very calm bay of Faxafloi and after 30 minutes we found our first whale already: It was a very calm humpback whale that was very calm and easy to follow. Before we headed further out in the bay it showed us its fluke a few times. We approached a blow that we saw in the distance and there were 2 humpback whales as well, just hanging out together. They came really close to our boat and did not leave each others side. In total we encountered 7 humpback whales and we were all very happy about the sightings and also about the good weather.

-Lasse 

Report from Eldey: A wonderfully sunny afternoon and low winds made for the perfect whale watching conditions. The whales themselves helped confirm that even more, because they were literally everywhere! We could not look in a certain direction without seeing a blow. We started with one individual who was feeding, and then moved on to a resting pair that came up right next to us! After some wonderful moments, we continued to another humpback whale but had to make a stop on our way over there because a fifth humpback whale came up just in front of our bow out of nowhere! These two whales joined each other and started swimming side by side. A sixth individual distracted us for a little bit, and finally a seventh humpback whale who was pectoral slapping caught our attention. He was accompanied by around five white-beaked dolphins who were jumping. On our way back to the harbour, we spotted even more blows in an area we had not even had time to scan - what an abundance today! With the most amazing sightings we could have asked for in mind, we sailed back to sunny Reykjavik, just in time for the rain to arrive. 

- Eline van Aalderink

Report from Hafsulan: The skies had become a bit more overcast and a soft but chilly wind blew from the north this afternoon. The sea was nevertheless very calm and we were excited to head back out again! This afternoon we spotted no less than 6 humpback whales and we managed to see some pretty unique behaviours as well! One duo of humpbacks spent the entire time side by side, often fluke diving in perfect sync. Little after, some big splashes in the distance grabbed our attention. When we got closer, we realized there was a humpback playing around with a pod of 3 white-beaked dolphins! The humpback performed multiple tailslaps, pec slaps and peduncle throws, often very close to our boat and it even floated at the surface for some time belly up! After spending some time with some of the other humpbacks in the area, it was time for us to head back. But before we did, we managed to spot yet another humpback breach three times in the distance! Eventually we arrived back, mesmerised by today´s amazing sightings.

- Milan Vansteelandt

As we sailed out of the harbor, the rained stopped, revealing clear skies and stunning bay view, We spotted a Humback whale feeding amount the artc tern. At sunset another humback whale surface near the National Gegraphic Cruise with open jaws. The bay was lively with birds and humbacks swimming. A rainbow appeared towards the Reykjavnes peninsula, ending our journey with the sunset beautiful colors, another successful tour.

-Claudia Albir

Northern fulmar, common guillemot, Atlantic puffin, Arctic tern, eider duck, herring gull, great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, blackheaded gull, black-legged kittiwake, great cormorant