Iceland is a fantastic destination for those interested in observing diverse and wild wildlife. Here, you’ll find a wide range of bird species and marine mammals that feed on the nutrient rich fishing grounds surrounding the island. In summer, the long daylight hours create ideal conditions for plankton, making the bay rich in biodiversity.
Around 23 species of whales and dolphins are known to regularly inhabit the waters around Iceland. These range from the largest animal ever to have lived on Earth to some of the smallest. The four most commonly seen species on our tours are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. These animals can be spotted on our tours year round, although the frequency of sightings can vary depending on the weather, food availability near the coast, and other factors.
Below is an overview of the species most frequently seen on our tours.
Currently, we know of over 90 different species of Whales, dolphins and Porpoises collectively called cetaceans. These range from the largest animal that has ever lived on our planet the Blue Whale to the smallest the Hectors dolphin. They are found in every one of our oceans and even some of our rivers. Anyone that has been whale watching and seen these magnificent mammals up close can tell you that it is an experience never forgotten and a feeling of amazement and happiness not quite understood.
On our whale watching tours we often encounter other species that don't belong to the whale and dolphin families. The various migratory and local seabirds, seals and even sharks bring surely added value to our tours.
The fishing grounds in Icelandic waters are known to be some of the most fertile in the world and Faxaflói bay is no exception of that. Both territorial and migratory stocks are found in Faxaflói and as a result a wide variety of species can be caught on our tours.
Seabirds are an important part of every whale watching tour and they often guide us to the whales. During the summer months the puffins make a spectacle of themselves as well as the gannets, fulmars, guillemots, skuas, arctic terns and many more. The winter birdlife is not so diverse but it is nice to see certain species in areas that you wouldn't normally see.