Monday, 18 August 2025

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

Report from Eldey: the sea conditions today were great. Although we had a swell, there were no waves and we could see anything that would come out of the water even from a distance! We first spotted 2 harbour porpoises that were gone as soon as they appeared! Continuing, we then saw a pod of about 10-12 white-beaked dolphins, coming closer and spreading around the boat! The sea was calm and we could even see them through the surface. Then we saw a bigger darker back in the distance and it was a minke whale, and we stopped to check it out. This one was very calm on the surface and close, giving us amazing looks of this minke. We continued our trip until we spotted a blow followed by a white fluke in the distance: a humpback whale! This one went down, but when we got closer, we realized at the same area that we also had other 2 swimming side-by-side, logging, as a behaviour for resting! The lone whale that we saw before still appeared a couple of times more, together with about 4 more minkes around, in different distances. We also had fun watching the Northern gannets plunge diving and got some sun on our faces on the way back! Lovely tour!

- Milla Brandao

Report from Hafsúlan: We set off on a smooth sail into Faxaflói under near totally clear skies, with the sun warming our faces. It didn’t take long before we encountered our first wildlife! A large, calm pod of over 20 white-beaked dolphins made an appearance around us, and we enjoyed their presence for a few moments! Soon after, we moved on and were rewarded with an unforgettable encounter: a pair of humpback whales! They were incredibly curious and approached the boat so closely we could almost reach out and touch them. For over half an hour, they swam gracefully around us, spyhopping and rolling over to get a better look at us, and we really began wondering.. who's really watching who? Throughout the tour, we also spotted more than six minke whales at various points as they went about their busy feeding day! Reluctantly, we had to turn back toward shore as time caught up with us, but the experience was one we’ll never forget. A perfect day on the bay!

-Sigrún Helgu

Report from Eldey: We departed under sunny skies and calm seas, ideal conditions for whale watching. Around 45 minutes into the trip, we spotted two blows in the distance and found two humpback whales logging at the surface—resting and slowly drifting. We spent some time quietly observing them as they breathed and moved gently with the swell. Later, we headed over to check out three minke whales that were surfacing occasionally nearby. Though more elusive, we managed a few good sightings before they disappeared again beneath the water. As time was running out we made our way back to the harbour.

-Maria Ernesto 

Report from Hafsúlan: This afternoon treated us to lovely sea conditions and even some blue skies - a real gift after the windy days we’ve just had. After about 45 minutes of sailing, we had a brief sighting of a fast-swimming minke whale. Since we wanted to get further out into the bay, we continued on our way. About 15 minutes later, we spotted two big blows glistening in the sun. It was two humpback whales! We stopped to watch as they fluked several times, and soon realized it was the same pair we had spent time with this morning. Not long after, a third humpback decided to join them. All around us, Northern Gannets were plunge-diving - surely a sign of rich feeding grounds. Sure enough, one of the humpbacks suddenly performed a lunge feed right in front of us. We stayed for a while before we sadly had to start making our way back. On the way, we encountered even more minke whales passing by (at least 7 throughout the tour), two of which surfaced very close to the boat. What a truly beautiful day to remember!

- Maja Andersson

Report from Eldey: We went out this time and for about an hour, we didn't see anything. But whale watching can be a game of patience and we knew that, knowing that sometimes we are treated with good sightings for those who wait. Then we got to an area where we first spotted tiny dorsal fins cutting the surface very fast! About 7 harbour porpoises passed by fast and we could get a nice view of them travelling. Then, we spotted 3 big blows in the distance: getting there we first saw 2 humpback whales together, very curious! So curious that started to spy-hop, one followed by the other. Then, a 3rd humpback joined them, also very close! We spent a good whale of a time with them, while seeing at least 3 minke whales at the same area around and even closer. Then, we saw a big splash in the distance, another 2 humpbacks breaching on the way to Reykjavik - which was very convenient since our time was running out - and we had a good view of them. Then, about 2 more minkes were seen on the way back, one passing by veeery close to our front. Uuf! What a tour! With a beautiful beginning of the sunset, we came back home very happy and amazed with the sightings!

- Milla Brandao

Report from Elding: We headed out onto a calm bay under the rays of the setting sun peaking through the sparse cloud cover, perfect conditions for cetacean spotting. As we made our way out into the bay, we were thrilled to see several minke whales popping up all around us, and disappearing rather quickly, as they are known to do. We headed towards some large blows in the distance, spotting not just one, but a trio of humpback whales! They turned out to be rather shy, going for longer dives and popping up far away from their massive fluke prints, but treating us to some lovely fluke dives each time. But, we were treated to a wonderful time by an incredibly curious minke whale. This minke absolutely stole the show, coming mere meters from the boat, inspecting us very closely! Close enough for us to get a good look of their pointy snout and white pectoral bands shining through the surface! Not wanting to be outdone however, 2 of the humpbacks decided to breach! What a show! We were treated to some more incredibly close surfaces from the curious little minke, before we had to make our way towards the harbour. Even on the way back, we spotted a small pod of 4 harbour porpoises! What an unforgettable tour!

- Guillermo

Atlantic puffin, Northern fulmar, Northern gannet, manx shearwater, black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, black guillemot, razorbill,