Saturday, 16 April 2022

Today we will be operating on Þruma RIB  14:00 Premium Whale tour 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: The sea was a bit rocky this morning but the captain sailed us to our latest whale-watching hotspot through a sheltered route. On the way to Akranes, we encountered a beautiful diversity of seabird species: we saw some Atlantic puffins, common guillemots, black guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, gannets, and all kinds of seagulls. Before we knew it we had reached the area we were hoping to find something and we immediately spotted a blow. A few seconds later, another blow – this one a bit further away. In the area, there were at least three humpback whales! We mostly stayed with one individual as other whale-watching boats were checking out the others, and this individual was often showing us the fluke and sometimes coming quite close to our boat. In the distance we could meanwhile keep an eye on the other two whales, so we could see whales all around the boat. On the way back the waters had calmed down even more so we enjoyed a pleasant sail back with the memory of the whales in our minds.

 - Eline van Aalderink

Report from Eldey Rain and soft winds made this ride a fun icelandic adventure. Just like in the morning we found about 3 to 4 humpback whales in exactly same spot, justly in front of Akranes. It fact the first whale found us as it just came up in front of us while we were searching around. This time we didn't got to see many times it's tail but whale was cruising on our side, surfacing with a power when was breaking the waves and moving his muscle body against wind. It was just a spectacular view! As there were many boats around we left and enjoyed the presence of the second humpback whale. Few times this whale was coming close to us and meanwhile a pod of about 6 to 7 white-beaked dolphins showed up swimming very fast, they looked like they were travelling. The third humpback whale was swimming erratically with a very asynchronous breathing pattern, we think it was probably as they say in german “fressen” which means eating fast and in an sloppily manner. Bird watchers also had fun as northern gannets were plunge diving and northern fulmars were flying above our heads and even a few puffins just came back after winter. 

- Estel Sanchez Cami

Report from the Ribs: The wind that caused the cancellation of the mornings tour had dissipated allowing for two boats to leave in search of whales, dolphins and porpoises at 14:00. We journeyed out towards Akranes, where the humpbacks of recent days had been sighted and once again came across two humpback whales. The whales were unbothered by our presence and continued to feed amongst a flock of hungry seabirds. Great views were had by all onboard as the whales lifting the beautiful flukes for dives and exposed their enormous heads when feeding.

- Mike Smith and Emily Erskine

Northern fulmar, northern gannet, eider duck, black-backed gull, atlantic puffin, black guillemot, razorbill, black-legged kittiwake, herring gull.