Monday, 25 April 2022

Today we will be operating on Þruma RIB for our 10:00 and 14:00 Premium Whale tours and on our lovely vessel Eldey for the 09:00 and 13:00 Classic Whale Watching tours. Make sure to dress appropriately for the tours as it is always colder on sea than on land.

• 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: Wow, the bay was so full of life this morning! With sunshine and flat seas, we had the perfect conditions to spot the many animals that were coming to the surface. First up were probably more than 50 white-beaked dolphins spread in a large area, who were coming close to us, sometimes jumping, and surfacing very often. The dark backs in contrast to the light sea decorated the bay as far as we could see, but we soon also found the smaller backs of harbour porpoises and in the same area the bigger back of a minke whale. This minke whale was elusive and we were unable to see it again after it went for a deep dive. A minute later, we found our fourth species of the day: the humpback whale! This whale looked familiar to us, and indeed when they showed us the beautiful fluke we could see that this was Mariupol! The humpback came to the surface often, taking only short dives and travelling at an impressive speed towards the dolphins – probably looking for an invitation to the breakfast buffet. Before heading back to Reykjavik, we still had some time to stop for a second minke whale, who came to breath frequently and came relatively close to our boat before we had to say goodbye to the beautiful wildlife of Faxafloi. 

- Eline van Aalderink

Report from the Ribs: This tour was a great way to start the day, flat seas, calm weather and many animals to be found. The day started with many harbour porpoises. We stopped to admire these small, often forgotten cetaceans from a distance and soon, their inquisitive nature became apparent as they approached the vessel on a number of occasions edging closer and closer. After watching for a few minutes we must of counted scores of porpoises all around the boat in each direction at varying distances. A minke whale was also seen in the same location. We watched this animal for one complete surface sequence before it disappeared. Next, we received a radio call from our colleagues who had seen the last remaining species on our wish list as they had seen a pod of white-beaked dolphins and a humpback whale interacting. The whale was very easy to watch as it rolled on its side, exposing its pectoral fins and nicely lifting the fluke for shallow dives. The dolphins moved away from the whale heading more west. As we followed these, some chose to bow ride and come very close. Similar to the porpoises, the number of dolphins seemed to swell the longer we spent with them as dolphins were noticeable in all direction. Their tall dorsal fins cut effortlessly through the water when swimming calmly whilst some younger members of the pod chose to be more acrobatic.

- Mike Smith

Report from Eldey: The sea was still very calm and visibility great, could not see as far as the Snæfellsnes peninsula but still far enough. We searched a large area and after 50 minutes saw our first cetacean, a minke whale but far and going quite fast. We waited patiently but unfortunately the minke was not sighted again. After about 20 more minutes a little pod of harbour porpoises popped up, a pod of about 3. Seconds later a pod of about 4 white-beaked dolphins, but as the previous sightings in a shy mood. So, we continued searching and searching but the bay looked empty. But, something amazing was going to happen. Our patience was super rewarded as suddenly we could see a blow at the distance. It was a humpback whale. Off we went. A nice humpback, which was swimming relaxed and every time surfaced more often and slowely, even brought up its tail a couple of times, very close to the boat, just 5-7 meters. Very nice end to the tour. You never know when it comes to wildlife what will happen from tour to tour. Makes for an exciting experience.

- Estel Sanchez Cami

Report from the Ribs: The wind strength had increased slightly, resulting in a small wave coming from the west. We performed a similar route to the mornings tour and hoped for the same sightings. Conditions proved to be a little more challenging and the wildlife a little quieter, until we received a call from our colleagues. Once we arrived in the area, we began to see a humpback whale that was staying at the surface nicely. It seems as though it was the only whale being spotted in the afternoon as more whale watching boats made their way towards the location. Due to the inbound boats, we stayed for a brief time with the whale but was still able to get excellent views. The whale surfaced right in front of the bow of one occasion. After a short while, we left in search of more cetaceans but had no joy. 

- Mike Smith

Eider duck, Atlantic puffin, common guillemot, northern fulmar, northern gannet, herring gull, black-legged kittiwake.