Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Tour at 13:00

Report from Hafsúlan: In the afternoon we left from Hafnarfjörður to minimize the risk of sea sickness, as the swell was still similar to the one we had experienced in the morning. We got a very clear demonstration of what Icelandic weather can be like, sailing through bouts of hail and snow, but also enjoying many sunny periods. After we had unsuccessfully searched the area where the humpback had been seen on the morning tour we headed further out into the bay, towards the Whale Fjord. And there, finally, we found at least 3 different Humpback Whales! Two of them surfaced right next to each other and close to the boat multiple times. We got to see a fluke from at least one of them and even passed another individual on our way back to Reykjavík. What a tour with the crazy Icelandic weather and great Humpbacks!

- Megan & Linda

Tour at 09:00

Report from Hafsúlan: Due to unfavourable sea conditions we decided to depart from Keflavík instead of Reykjavík to sail with the swell and wind rather than against it. The bus tour offered us some nice looks at parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula. At the beginning of the tour we got some very nice close-up looks at some sea birds (mainly Kittiwakes) nesting on cliffs of holmsbjarg near the harbour. As expected, there was a considerable swell as soon as we left the shelter from land near garður. Nevertheless we found a Humpback Whale on our way to Hafnarfjörður. It was traveling quite fast and changed direction a few times, but everyone on board got quite a good look, especially as the whale was riding the waves.

-Megan & Linda

Birds seen on today´s tour: Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Eider Ducks, Common Guillemots, Razorbills, Glaucous Gulls, Black Backed Gulls, Gannets, Whooper Swans.