Monday 11 April 2022

• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR | 10:00
• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 13:00
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR | 14:00

COVID-19: Keep in mind that passengers and crew are asked to ensure their own hygiene and safety at all times. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and using a hand sanitiser is advised.  

Report from Eldey. What a day! Sea conditions were very good, we had some pleasant light breeze and the waves sparkled with delight with a sun painting all the landscapes in glow and intense colors. So with this beautiful start of the day we were really optimistic, also as we were being really lucky already for the last few days. We realized birdlife was very active in a specific area, their flying rhythm told us they were having breakfast. So, we headed to that area and it did not take us too long until we spotted a whale surfacing there. Upon approaching we saw a humpback whale blow! As soon as we got to that hot spot area we spotted some more humpback whales, in total we could count 3 humpbacks around us! They were giving us some really close look to take great pictures. One of them was a sub-adult that was coming to the surface every few minutes, obviously feeding on the abundant fish. We stayed with the humpback and got to see the iconic fluke tail several times at the delight of all the people aboard. Still some white-beaked dolphins join in, probably we saw in total around 4 individuals, who where also feeding in the area. Near was another humpback whale, also having lunch and we could even enjoy the third one breaching 3 times in a row! It was truly a fantastic tour.

- Estel Sanchez Cami

Report from Eldey: A warm(ish - we are in Iceland after all) sunshine highlighted the beauty of mount Esja and Akrafjall as we motored in the direction of Akranes this afternoon. On the way, we encountered lots of northern fulmars and kittiwakes, and even a pod of 3-4 white-beaked dolphins. The dolphin encounter was of short duration, as they disappeared under the water's surface after only a few breaths. While we waited for the dolphins to come up, our captain spotted a big blow at our 12 o'clock. As we approached the area and kept looking out for the whale, it soon became apparent that there was more than one individual here. In the area just off Akranes, there were 4, maybe 5, maybe even 6 humpback whales! They were surfacing all around us: some behind our boat, some in the distance, and some right next to us! The encounter was incredible, as the whales were taking short dives and always showing their beautiful flukes before they did. When time was running out we waited for one more surface of an individual who had been tailslapping before, and nature gave us such a lovely ending to the tour: at first it was hard to see what was happening because they were right in the bright sunglare, but  the humpback whale was swimming with his fluke sideways and was accompanied by three white-beaked dolphins (and lots of seabirds). When it lifted its fluke high out of the water we waived goodbye and enjoyed the sunshine on the way back to Reykjavik. 

- Eline van Aalderink

Northern gannet, northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, lesser black-backed gull, greater black-backed gull, black headed gull, atlantic puffin, common guillemot, razorbill and eider duck.