Wednesday, 13 August 2025

• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 19:30
• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 17:00
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR |10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 20:00

Report from Eldey: We headed out onto calm waters under clear skies and bright sunshine. Perfect weather and conditions for some cetacean spotting. Not long after leaving the harbor, we came across our first minke whale of the tour, surfacing briefly rather close to the boat. We continued on, and minutes later, spotted a pair of humpback whales resting peacefully, showing us some wonderful fluke dives. After spending some time with these two, we headed deeper into the bay in hopes of spotting some more whales. Indeed we found not one but 3 more humpback whales that were feeding together with two minke whales. And as all these weren´t enough on our way back we spotted a pot of 5 white beaked dolphins that made our tour even better.

-Eleftherios Manioudakis 

Report from Hafsulan: With sunny skies and a refreshing breeze, we applied our sunblock and set out into the bay. It was not too long until we found a pod of four white-beaked dolphins. There was even a very young calf with this pod that came nice and close. With such calm seas it was easy to track this pod and see them through the water. Conditions were so calm that we could even hear the dolphins when they came up to breath. After seeing multiple surface sequences we kept on traveling and the dolphins followed us for a bit before off they went. We then saw the backs of at least four solitary minke whales! With the calm conditions these usually elusive whales were very easy to spot. It was so nice to be able to see how fast their surface intervals are. As we were not too far out into the bay we continued onward. As we moved we had another two solitary minkes popping up on either side of the boat. We even had a quick surface interval with two harbor porpoises! We then spotted the blow of one humpback whale! As we approached we were treated right away to this humpbacks fabulous fluke!. While waiting for this humpback to resurface we had another two minke whales surfacing periodically around the boat. Minke whales were all around it was crazy! In total we had at least 10 total for our trip, which given the elusive nature of this species was wonderful. After multiple surface sequences and another really close fluke dive, we waved our humpback whale goodbye and headed back to port. As we were heading back to port we had an unusually active minke whale lunge feeding right in front of us! This was very special to be able to see their body lunge out of the water after their food. After four lunge sequences, the minke whale headed off and so we continued back to port. With all four common species sighted, we counted ourselves very lucky. What a great tour!

-Anna Richter

Report from Eldey: We set out onto the calm bay under bright sunshine, with the wind beginning to pick up. As we set out, we saw many series of small splashes all around, some very quick harbour porpoises. Living up to their elusive nature, we didn't get to see them for too long, but we were lucky enough to see 3 groups totaling about 10-13 individuals, so everyone managed to get a glimpse of these shy animals. We also had 5-7 minke whales popping up around us throughout the tour, some quite close to our boat! So for the start of the tour, the spotlight was definitely on the elusive, shy species. It took us a little while, but we managed to spot some blows in the distance, so we headed over to the first humpback whale sighting of the tour, which ended up being a pair! They appeared very calm, even logging on the surface for a bit before giving us their signature fluke dive, when all of a sudden, we saw a ring of bubbles appear followed by some lunges at the surface! Clearly not resting anymore, these two had begun feeding. We headed off towards some other blows, another pair of humpbacks not too far from the first, who also began bubble-net feeding! What a treat to witness these behaviours! After these wonderful encounters, we turned to head back towards the harbour, spotting minkes all along the way back.

- Orsi Stipsicz

Report from Hafsulan: This afternoon the wind picked up a little bit and changed direction slightly, but it was still a sunny blue sky and we were happy and keen to sail back out. This time around our sail out wasn't as long and we quickly spotted blows on the horizon! We got to an area where we had 3 humpback whales! Two were travelling together and fluking in unison, and the other was Davy Jones II who stayed quite close to us and in good old Davy fashion gave us a good show! After being with these three for a bit we headed on and found 2 further humpbacks! And a minke whale as well! This one came so close we could hear it breath! Again we stayed a little bit, enjoying their gorgeous fluke dives! Then we realised the time and started heading back, but were stopped by 2 breaching humpbacks! One started and then the other continued, then one started pec slapping and we did not know where to look! Spoilt for choice we stayed as long as time would allow and then headed back home, still seeing the pec slapping humpback behind us as we went!

- Sam Smith

Report from Elding: This evening we sailed out under sunshine, with the promise of a gorgeous sunset ahead. Bundled up in overalls, wind in our hair, most of us were out on deck, eager to spot some wildlife. After only about 30 minutes of sailing, we suddenly saw two large blows on the horizon - humpback whales! As we drew closer, we slowed the boat and waited for them to surface again. Then, unexpectedly, one of them breached spectacularly - what a surprise! After that sudden leap, the two whales went their separate ways. One of them swam quickly into an area full of seabirds, a clear sign it might be a good feeding ground. Sure enough, the whale began lunge-feeding several times. We stayed for almost half an hour, watching this feeding frenzy. Northern gannets plunged into the water all around us, and the setting sun created a beautiful light. As the humpback fed, a minke whale made a brief appearance nearby. After spending a good while with the feeding whale, we continued farther into the bay, where we spotted another minke whale close to our boat. Eventually, it was time to head back to the harbour, while admiring both peninsulas that surround the bay. What an unforgettable evening!

- Maja Andersson

Atlantic puffin, northern fulmar, northern gannet, greater and lesser black-backed gull, black-legged kittiwake, Manx shearwater, Arctic skua