The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. The second is an activity that is essential when visiting reykjavik in winter a northern. This trip ensures you experience everything iceland has to offer, from the natural. Yes, if you dont see a whale, you get a second trip for free. The north of iceland is known as the capital of whale watching. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. We are thinking of visting iceland the end of december. Whale watching tours in the north of iceland dalvik if youre based in the north of the country, a whale watching trip from dalvik is the ideal option for you. The migration of humpback whales in the north atlantic ocean is poorly understood.
Thanks to the gulf stream its only half as cold here with temperatures between 10 to. Iceland has blacksand beaches, natural springs, ice caves, whale watching, and a manmade lagoon that glows blue. I have read that iceland only gets 4 to 5 hours of day light this time of year. Whales and dolphins are at their greatest numbers during the summer months between april and october when the marine beasts come to feed on the plankton that thrives on the nutrientrich deposits of icelands bays. Weve been preparing our two boats, niels jonsson and sandvikin, the last couple of weeks after the now finished winter fishing season.
Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Whale watching in iceland tips and tricks for families. Feeding humpback whale in faxafloi bay but whales come in all sizes.
Winter whale watching from akureyri north sailings traditional oak fishing boats sail to the whales starting this winter, north sailing goes whale watching right from the centre of the town of akureyri. Whale watching iceland winter snaefellsnes winter whale. Yet another excellent summer for whale watching in husavik. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik. With the warmer temperatures, the long daylight, and the calmer winds this information is definitely correct. Apr 05, 2019 this applies specifically to humpback whales, for instance. Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour. These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Whitebeaked dolphins and minke whales are common and occasionally other species such as humpback whale and orca can also be seen along with puffins, fulmars, gannets. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter. Why are there hardly any whale watching tours in iceland during winter.
But its rare that you would have the time or energy for another trip during your vacation. A comprehensive guide to winter activities in iceland during the winter. You also dont want to be on a trip with just a single whale. Whale watching in december iceland forum tripadvisor. Below you can download the catalogue and read about our icelandic orca. The cookies used on our website do not collect any personal information about you. Mar 03, 2016 that would be the answer to many of the questions we have had. Iceland is home to a variety of whale species, although many only spend the summer months.
The whale watching season in iceland is really on year round although trips in the winter are more likely to be delayed or cancelled due to bad. Aside from them, the main species that can be spotted on a winter whale watching tour in iceland are the toothed whales such as whitebeaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and orcas. When you go whale watching in iceland, rest assured that the whale watching companies iceland conduct their activities with respect for the gentle giants. Baleen whales are a migratory species, and most travel long distances to tropical waters in winter and back to polar regions in summer. Blue whales, the largest mammals on earth, migrate into icelandic waters. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife it offers.
Aug 20, 2016 whale watching in iceland tips and tricks for families. There are advantages to whale watching in summer over winter, and visaversa, that you should consider before booking your trip. What is the best season for whale watching in ice land. When people think about whales in iceland their thoughts usually go to images of majestic leaping whales not surprising when iceland offers the best whale watching in europe. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience. Indeed, many humpback whales do not leave iceland at all during the winter, instead choosing to stay and feed in the rich, nutrientrich waters around the country. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Whale watching in winter iceland forum tripadvisor. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Many migrate to warmer waters in the winter when food is harder to get in the colder ecosystems. Iceland joined cites in 2000, and immediately took reservations to the listing of several species of whales, including fin and minke whales, on appendix i. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in.
The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often. Winter whale watching also opens up the opportunity to see some of the many seabirds that call iceland home, including fulmars, guillemots, gannets, cormorants and eider ducks. Experience the gentle giants of husavik the whale capital of iceland. Hop aboard and sail out on faxafloi bay to meet the largest inhabitants of iceland, the whales. Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object clarification needed to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling commission in 1986, and that still. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often painting the sky bright orange or pink. At least one of the reykjavik whalewatching operators publishes their trip diary on the web, so you can read their trip diary for last september and see just what it was like, how many trips were cancelled due to rough seas, how many whales they saw and of what kind. Breaching humpback whales, playful dolphins, the mighty blue whales and even killer whales. View gallery download holiday overview download trip notes. Mar 01, 2018 when people think about whales in iceland their thoughts usually go to images of majestic leaping whales not surprising when iceland offers the best whale watching in europe. No wonder people say that husavik is the whale watching capital of iceland. Whale watching around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others. At least one of the reykjavik whale watching operators publishes their trip diary on the web, so you can read their trip diary for last september and see just what it was like, how many trips were cancelled due to rough seas, how many whales they saw and of what kind.
On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises. Vacation whale watching activities in iceland expedia. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Winter tours in iceland, summer tours in iceland, we. Whales and dolphins are at their greatest numbers during the summer months between april and october when the marine beasts come to feed on the plankton that thrives on the nutrientrich deposits of iceland s bays. Most of the whale watching tours sail out from the old harbour in reykjavik as well as neighbouring areas in reykjanesb. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales.
Whale watching husavik, iceland gentle giants whale. Whale watching tours in iceland have an incredible success rate. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. This tour combines some of the most popular attractions in iceland in winter time a classic whale watching in the afternoon and a northern lights cruise in the. Iceland resumed largescale trade in whale products under reservation to japan in 2008. Visiting iceland in winter can be a wonderful experience as there are fewer people, beautiful winter landscapes, and chances to see the northern lights. We hope we were able to answer all your questions about seeing orcas in iceland. Icelands pristine waters are a paradise for whales. The reason is that the whales are busy far away in the caribbean, relaxing and taking care of their newly born offspring. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Winter in north iceland is the true icelandic winter. Of course, the unpredictable winter weather of iceland can raise a few challenges when it comes to whale.
Elding tour operator offers whale whatching tours from reykjavik iceland. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. Winter tours in iceland, summer tours in iceland, we have all the activities you may need on your travel to iceland. Companies follow a protocol so as not to disturb them any more than than necessary, turning off their motors. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. The best time for spotting whales around iceland is the summer. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. When you think of whale watching in iceland, what place comes to mind. Team of iceland unlimited recommends all travelers and especially families to visit this spectacular museum iceland unlimited team visited whales of iceland museum in reykjavik, the largest whale exhibition in europe. Whale watching and northern lights in iceland artisan travel. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. Whale watching iceland winter 2020 when looking for the best season for whale watching in iceland you will most probably find the information that summer is the best time.
Faxafloi bay is the home to many different species of whale throughout the year, and they are more than willing to say hello to you. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. This applies specifically to humpback whales, for instance. Were the oldest whale watching company in iceland, since 1993. Book your online tour with us and support local businesses book your tour here. Of course, the unpredictable winter weather of iceland can raise a few challenges when it comes to whale watching. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. I want to go on a whale watching trip late december. On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked dolphins among other whale species. Extended summer daylight hours and shallow, nutrientrich waters make the region a haven for feeding whales and one of the worlds great destinations for whale watching. Whaling in iceland began with speardrift hunting as early as the 12th century, and continued in a vestigial form until the late 19th century, when other countries introduced modern commercial practices. Around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others.
Each summer, some 11 species of whales are drawn here, to where the warm north atlantic and cold arctic currents mix. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. The catalogue has been sent to researchers and whale watching companies in. Whale watching is operated from various locations around iceland. However, the most numerous whale species are most common in the cold temperate zone where cold and warm currents meet. Katla whale watching experience the amazing wild life katla whale watching is the perfect way to experience the amazing wild life found in faxa bay, on whose southern shore the capital reykjavik is located. Whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in europe. As a disclaimer i havent been there myself but i guess it should be ok because its off route 1 which gets plowed year round. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Please could you tell me, do the watch watching tours still run this time of year. All the year around youll be able to see a variety of whales by the coast, from the minke, humpback and killer whales to whitebeaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. By clicking the buttons below you can learn more about our whale watching tours from grundarfjordur winter and olafsvik summer.
Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. If you need it warm and cozy during winter, just follow the gray whales and go to. The winter low lying sun is also something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the whitecapped mountains surrounding the bay and to breathe in the winters fresh yet crisp. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where you will check, in real, how big are these mammals, as they are real scale handmade models that will make you feel that you are swimming in the ocean with them, listening them singing under the water, and also you will see how do their filters and different parts of their bodies like. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. Winter whale watching is a whole other experience and adventure compared to our summer tours. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. Many species of whales, dolphins and even seals are to be found in these waters. Winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. Orcas in iceland orca whale watching iceland killer.
That would be the answer to many of the questions we have had. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. Arctic adventures northern whale watching tours have a 98% success rate when it comes to whalesightings. There are also a number of fun winter activities to do like skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and joining in on holiday celebrations.