Attention:

All ferry departures to Viðey are currently suspended due to construction. Service will resume once completed!

Warning

Sunday, 13 March 2022

Image
hofnin.12.9.

Sunday, 13 March 2022

Today we will be operating 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
  • CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 13:00

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. Masks are mandatory in areas where keeping 1 meter distance from others is not possible.

CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00

Report from Eldey: There was some snow and swell this morning on Faxafloi bay, but also a few minutes of sun here and there. The wind was not too strong so many passengers stayed outside during the tour, well protected in our overalls. We sailed in an area where many active birds were and we looked all around until we saw the blow of a humpback whale. The whale was probably feeding, going for short dives and rarely showing the fluke. It surfaced very close to our boat so we could all hear the powerful breath of the whale - PFFHHHUU ! We stayed a while with this nice humpback whale and left to get closer to Reykjavik. We found 2-3 pods of 4-6 white-beaked dolphins that were also feeding but they seemed curious about our boat, coming very close to us and even bow riding so we could have a close view of these beautiful animals. 

- Eline van Aalderink

CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 13:00

Report from Eldey: The weather became very sunny this afternoon, with similar sea conditions than this morning. We had beautiful views on the landscape during the tour. We went in the same area than this morning and found the same humpback whale, probably still feeding in a rich area. Many birds where also there, spread in a very large area. Mainly kittiwakes and northern fulmars. The humpback was doing short dives so it was easy to follow and to observe and came sometimes at less than 50m from the boat. It even showed us its fluke three times, while going for a deep dive. The whale was changing direction quite often, maybe chasing school of fish. After a good moment with this humpback and a beautiful fluke dive, we went more to the north trying to find another species. Just before we turned back to Reykjavík we crossed 3-4 pods of white-beaked dolphin, mainly small pods of 3-4 individuals and one bigger with 6 individuals. They were many juveniles that came sometime very close to the boat. The dolphins were feeding and we could see them on each side of our vessel. It was really nice to see them but it was time to head back to the harbour. The wind was a bit stronger but a few passengers still stayed outside, enjoying the great view on the landscape and on Reykjavík.  What a nice day in Faxaflói !

- Miquel Pons 

Bird species encountered today include:

Eider duck, kittiwake, herring gull, glaucous gull, northern fulmar, European shag, great cormorant, lesser black-backed gull, European shag, white-tailed duck