Thursday, 06 August 2015

Tour at 17:00

Report from Eldey: The day had been a success already but on this tour we had the pleasure of some good weather for a change! The wind had really calmed down and we had a very smooth journey this afternoon. The trip started out just like the others when our first sighting was of the same humpback whale we had been viewing all day. This time it wasn´t just traveling though. The whale was bursting out of the water with its mouth wide and open full of fish as it was feeding at the surface. We got to see this around 6 times, which gave everyone plenty of time to fix their cameras on the whale and its spectacular behavior. After some time we moved on and ended up traveling very far out into the bay in search of more, there we found 2 more humpback whales! Though we only stayed beside one of them, an individual we know as Þröstur! This was another great whale as it was often lifting its tail high into the air next to the boat. Our risk of driving very far paid off and though we were somewhat late back to harbour we all knew it was worth it.

- Jack Ball

Tour at 14:00

Report from Hafsúlan: The wind and swell died down compared to this morning so we were all in great humor as we steamed out in to the bay. Once again having known there were large shoals of fish with feeding whales and birds we steamed out. It took about 30 mins and we soon had our humpback whale. We were amazing fortunate that once every other boat left the humpback decided to breach! Giving everyone onboard a great spectacle to see! We turned off the engines and had this individual play all about the boat. Eventually we left the animal to its own devices and went on a pleasant cruise around the bay hoping to see more. Unfortunately we were out of luck but still the weather and views were amazing.

-Tommy Torrades  

Tour at 13:00

Report from Elding & Eldey: Thanks to many passengers we went out with the two boats Elding and Eldey on this tour. The first cetacean species spotted on this tour was the humpback whale not too far out in Faxaflói. After spending a while with this individual and getting to see a few nice fluke-ups, we moved on and came across a pod of 3-4 white-beaked dolphins. We could see them traveling at high speed first, but then two of them started jumping out of the water in front of us and put on a great show for us! As if this wasn't enough, we also saw 2 harbour porpoises passing by along our side. Unfortunately, we were running out of time while watching the amazing dolphins and started to sail back to the harbour. However, on our way back we encountered a minke whale, so we decided to stop and could watch it surfacing only 30 m away from us a few times. A great tour with all four cetacean species that call Faxaflói their home. 

- Hanna Michel & Jack Ball

Tour at 10:00

Report from Hafsúlan: With the wild winds from the previous days dying down, we made our way out on to the bay. We still had quite a few whitecaps but the swell wasn't´t too big. The other boats having spotted a humpback made us want to get out as quick as possible. As we came to the area the boats last spotted the whale,  we suddenly spied the large blow of a humpback whale the first of the cetaceans we were to see. It seemed to be sleeping and lazed around the boat. After enjoying this large animals company we moved on, where we soon spotted a minke whale named Humpie who was feeding voraciously. When we began our journey home we soon passed a pod of 6 breaching and leaping white beaked dolphins. At the same time the humpback turned up again and the dolphins and it began to play. Amazing to watch. Eventually we tore ourselves away to make it back to the harbour. 

-Tommy Torrades

Tour at 09:00

Report from Eldey: On this morning we left the harbour in search of cetaceans, traveling west straight away. We enjoyed the nice view of the beautiful Icelandic landscape surrounding us during our search. After a while we saw a blow close to the boat that was infront of us, and immediately traveled to this area. It turned out to be a humpback whale, which was coming straight up to the boat, several times, giving us an incredible experience and very good opportunities for some great pictures. During the rest of the tour we even managed to spot a small pod of white- beaked dolphins, 3 individuals, which also came very close to the boat. We were rather impressed with our luck, stayed with them as long as possible, until we had to turn around head home. On the way many passengers enjoyed the sun on the upper deck and the nice view.

- Michaela Buchbauer

Birds seen on todays tour: kittiwake, atlantic puffin, arctic tern, arctic skua, eider duck, black-backed gull, northern gannets, northern fulmars, manx shearwaters.