Wednesday, 20 August 2025

• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 19:30
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR |10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 19:00

All whale watching tours are on schedule today from Reykjavík! Remember to dress according to weather and feel free to put on the provided thermal overalls if needed!

Report from Eldey: With sunny skies, we applied our sunblock and headed out into the bay. As we were just learning about our common cetaceans, we saw a blow in the distance. Upon inspection we had come across one humpback whale. We had an excellent surface sequence before having a beautiful fluke dive. This humpback was a determined feeder and impressed us with their dive time. After multiple surface sequences and another great fluke dive, we waved this humpback goodbye. Upon heading further north we found the feeding zone and were surrounded by 4 minke whales. This usually elusive species was surrounding the boat, which was wonderful as they allowed consistent viewing. We even had one minke surface so close that we could hear them breath and smell that ´stinky minke´ fishy breath.  After a wonderful viewing with these special whales, we continued onward. As we were traveling we spotted a very active group of three harbor porpoises feeding. With such calm conditions it was excellent spotting conditions to admire these small and elusive cetaceans.  We also had Northern gannets plunge diving throughout  the tour which was wonderful. After such success, we enjoyed the sunshine and headed back to port.

-Samantha Smith

Report from Hafsúlan: Toda the sea was very flat and the sun was shining more than ever! It was a bit chilly, but the sun made us enjoy this tour mostly outside, as we should! We first saw 2 harbour porpoises, that came very fast! We then spotted a blow in the distance, that we identified easily as a lone humpback whale, going for deep dives and showing the beautiful fluke. This one was spending almost 7 min under the surface, but we were patient and happy to see such an amazing whale. We then spotted a pod of 8 porpoises that were very predictable on the surface and very speedy as well. We continued our journey until we saw a minke whale, one of the 7 we would see during the trip! These minkes would be coming and going, in different directions and distances. A few of them even came very close, allowing us to take a good look at its glittery body shining with the sun. Another one, came close and it was a tiny minke, almost like a juvenile to a young adult! We then finished the tour watching the many Northern gannets plunge diving like crazy! A calm morning on a beautiful day for sure!

- Milla Brandao

Report from Eldey: With sunny skies and calm seas, we set sail out into the bay. There were many Northern gannets plunge diving down, so we knew there was plenty of food to be found for our cetaceans. We then sotted the backs of two minke whales! With such calm seas it was easy to spot both of these minkes on either side of the boat. With multiple surface sequences and a close encounter, we waved our minkes goodbye and kept on spotting. We then had a third minke whale as we were setting sail which was nice to view on the move.  We then came across an excellent pod of 5 white-beaked dolphins! These dolphins were very playful and started head slapping and breaching. They then caught a ride and started to bow ride. It was wonderful to see them through the surface of the water. After continuous close viewing, we waved our dolphins goodbye and headed back to port. On the way we even spotted one harbor porpoise! After one surface sequence we continued our journey back. What a great afternoon.

-Milan Vansteelandt

Report from Hafsúlan: We went out in best conditions. Clear sky, sun and a breeze from the north. We had to go out quite a while until we spotted the first blows and dorsal fins on the surface. First encounter was one of the minke whales that was traveling fast to find food in the bay. We continued our way out util we spotted multiple lager blows that shimmered silver in the sunlight. As we got closer we saw that it were 3 humpback whales traveling together. We were able to stay with them for some time during which the rolled on the surface, slapped their pectoral fins and showed several nice fluke dives. We returned to the harbor wit the sun in our back and great memories made.

-  Knut Albrecht

Report from Elding: We headed out onto gentle waves beneath the glow of the setting sun. It took us a while to make it to the whales, as they were quite far from the harbour, way out in the bay. But it was worth every minute, as we spotted a pair of humpback whales feeding together. Not only did we get to see impressive lunges at the surface, we also got to witness the bubble-net feeding! Spirals of bubbles on the surface marking the spot of their next lunge, all under the orange glow of the sunset! We also had 2-3 shy little minke whales surfacing nearby, clearly also attracted to the feast just beneath the surface. We stayed in this area, admiring many lunges, fluke dives, and magnificent blows before we had to start heading back towards the harbour. The way back was also sprinkled with 2-3 blows, flukes and even 2 sudden breaches from yet more humpbacks around, as well as 3-4 more sneaky minkes passing by. What an evening!

- Orsi Stipsicz

Northern gannet, manx shearwater, sooty shearwater, Atlantic puffin, eider duck, Northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, lesser and greater black backed gull