A rib is faster than the wind and makes it therefore more likely for us to find the big whales. The best time to see whales in iceland and success rates. This natural phenomenon is truly magical with a sun almost disappearing, floating on. Whale watching olafsvik whale watching snaefellsnes with. Iceland s recent killing of whales, however, which sea shepherd captain paul watson said has numbered 27 fin whales since june 22, has tenuous legal ground but the icelandic justification for. In iceland, june is the ideal time of the year to enjoy the midnight sun, especially with the longest day in the year on the 21 st. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Visit the whales of iceland exhibition with lifesized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality experience. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. Male sperm whales are also commonly seen in june, while humpbacks, minke whales, and whitebeaked dolphins are seen all yearround. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales.
Why iceland is set to resume whaling in june despite. Tours departing from reykjavik operate all year round while tours from husavik, on the north coast of iceland. Whale watching iceland holidays discover the world. Mar 03, 2016 the ocean around iceland is cold during winter time and thats when the whales go south to warmer waters, to the caribbean wouldnt we all. Below is a list of the most common species found on whale watching tours in iceland, followed by honourable mentions of some lesscommon ones. There is also the midatlantic ridge, which runs right through iceland and gives iceland its volcanic landcape. At this time of the year, we have almost 24 hours of daylight. Trip would seem expensive if we came back after no sightings. If you decide that this is the tour for you, there are tour operators around the country who can offer you a memorable cruise in icelandic waters, many of which also offer. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. 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. Sea shepherd is in iceland at the whaling station livestreaming icelandic crimes, the killing of endangered fin whales in violation of the international ban on commercial whaling.
Whale watching season is from april to midoctober with a peak in june. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. The 747400erf freighter aircraft was welcomed onto the tarmac at keflavik airport with a ceremonial water salute from two fire trucks firing a water arc over the plane, in celebration of iceland s. The cold waters off the coast play host to a diverse marine life. 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. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter.
For a few years now, blue whales are making their way to the waters off the coast of husavik. Traditional whaling sperm whales in lamalera village, lembata island, indonesia. The cookies used on our website do not collect any personal information about you. Reestablishing the lost link with the whales in iceland. And of course, feel free to share it with your friends who might be interested in seeing whales. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Another thing definitely worth mentioning for your iceland holiday in june is that the peak summer season is also your best window to spot whales in iceland. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year.
The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Over the twelvemonth period ending in august 2007, icelandic whalers were authorized by the icelandic government to hunt and sell 30 minke whales and 9 fin whales. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Gems of iceland with whale watching zrs 6 day tour from reykjavik to reykjavik active pace. Midatlantic offers a great platform for travel industry professionals from around the world to meet, work together and exchange ideas, in iceland a hub between europe and. Iceland, a major whaling nation since the late 19th century and a founding member of the iwc, did not formally object to the 1982 decision and was thus bound by the ban.
Whales of iceland exhibition is just 15 min walk from city center and can be visited at anytime during opening hours. This natural phenomenon is magical with a sun barely disappearing, brushing the horizon line of the sea before rising to the heavens. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. The best time for spotting whales around iceland is the summer. Get app whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. Orca guardians iceland is the first icelandic conservation nonprofit of its kind, dedicated specifically to the protection of orcas in the waters around iceland.
The declining demand for both minke and fin whale meat has forced hvalur hf to dispose of excess whale meat creatively. The whaleplanner june a whale watching infographic. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. In 1982, the international whaling commission iwc imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986. When we spot a whale, our expert captain will take us as close as possible to them, without interfering with the animals themselves, ensuring that we have the best possible opportunity to see them hunting, feeding. The whaleplanner august a whale watching infographic. On this escorted tour of iceland start and end in reykjavik, and witness these natural wonders while enjoying fun and unique experiences. During the summer months in particular, the shores become a veritable feeding ground for multiple species of large marine mammals, giving visitors a chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. About whales of iceland open since 2014 lifesized models. Our whale watching boat, rosin the rose, offers an absolute innovation in whale watching adventures in iceland, it is fast and a luxurious whale watching boat, one of its kind in iceland, providing security and luxury for all.
Although whales can be spotted all year round in iceland the summer is definitely the peak season with the highest chance of seeing something remarkable. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. How likely are we to see whales at that time of year. Nowhere else in iceland is there a better chance to see toothed whales such as orcas, sperm whales and pilot whales. Oct 11, 2017 by far the best time of year for whale watching in iceland is during the summer months, from april through september, when over 20 species of cetaceaincluding the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whalecan be seen in the north atlantic and arctic oceans on either side of the island. It is possible to see some species of whales and dolphins at other times of the year as migratory patterns vary between the species so winter sailings are still an option in some parts of the country. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species.
Apr 14, 2017 after all, whalewatching is only one great way to spend your time in iceland, and if youre keen to get out on the water, theres more than one way to make it happen. Why iceland gets away with killing massive, endangered whales. To make the models for the exhibition, we created detailed blueprints based on close study of the 23 species found in icelandic waters. June 2020, we are happy to offer you this 8day trip to the midnight sun period in iceland, humpback whale watching, swimming in the northern blue lagoon. Genetic material from a large whale killed off the coast of iceland has confirmed the creature was a rare hybrid. Two beluga whales from a shanghai aquarium have arrived in iceland to live out their days in a unique marine sanctuary that conservationists hope will become a model for rehoming 3,000 of the. Iceland resumed commercial whaling on 21 october 2006 after icelandic whalers caught a fin whale. Whale watching boat tours depart mostly from reykjavik south west and akureyri or husavik in the north. Whale watching husavik, iceland gentle giants whale. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. Best time to visit iceland in 2020 northern lights. While it is true that culpability for letting whaling happen does rest upon many different offices, there is only one company left that still hunts protected fin whales. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe.
The permanent exhibition features whales like guests have never seen them before. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. On the 28th of june, the organization orca guardians iceland was launched. A true iceland expert, cathy has worked as a guide in iceland for 30 years, is author of the horizon visitors guide to iceland and contributor to several other publications on travel on the island. 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. The speed gives us an excellent opportunity to go further and sail through a wider area.
Join a whale tour with laki tours in snaefellsnes or the westfjords. Every whaling season, environmentalist and animal rights groups at home and abroad raise the alarm. The tails of two 35tonne fin whales are bound to a hvalur boat on june 19, 2009 after being caught off the coast of hvalfjsrour, north of reykjavik, on the western coast of iceland. In light of the corona covid19 pandemic we regretfully have halted our tours until april 15th the first. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the snaefellsnes peninsula, but tours are also offered starting from the capital reykjavik or from akureyri close to husavik. Its really special experience to head out to see a whale move greacefully through gentle fjord waters or out across a bay, relatively close to the shore. Iceland is a country known for its natural wonders. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. We operate whale watching tours in small groups, to ensure that you get the maximum opportunity to get up close and personal with these incredible animals. Japan also agreed not to purchase whale meat from iceland to secure fishing rights in alaskan waters.
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. 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. Since iceland resumed whaling in 2003 first under the guise of scientific whaling, later as commercial whaling greenpeace has worked to stop whaling in iceland, shares norman. Orcas, also known as killer whales, and sperm whales. The ultimate guide to iceland in june guide to iceland. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. Cargolux safely transports beluga whales to iceland. Minke whales are by far the most common great whale in icelands. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where. 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. Icelands national day, 17th of june the 17th of june marks the anniversary of icelands independence, and famous independence fighter jon sigur. Ive searched the forum and some say dalvik is better. Iceland is the perfect location for whale watching.
Whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. She has worked as a whale watch guide in tysfjord and lofoten in northern norway, where hundreds of orcas gathered to feed on overwintering herring. The peak season for activity is from june to august. It is possible to see some species of whales and dolphins at other times of the year as migratory patterns vary between the species so winter sailings are still an option in. The opportunity to see whales in their native environment makes our whale watching tour truly a oneofakind experience. On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of iceland s 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.
In iceland, june is the ideal time to observe the midnight sun, with the longest day being 21 june for the summer solstice. Orca watching and northern lights holiday in iceland. Iceland has an exemption to the moratorium through the reservation made in 2002. But with almost everything else in the animal kingdom, there are seasons for everything and your best chances to get a glimpse on these majestic animals is from april to october. Whales of iceland is the largest whale exhibition in europe and perhaps even the world, where guests can learn about the giants of the sea in a calm and modern environment. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. By 1989, boycotts of icelandic fish, organized by greenpeace and other antiwhaling organizations, began to take a toll on iceland s economy. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. The first small flocks arrive in april and the last ones leave in september, but the best months to see puffins are from may to august. Iceland was required to submit a full research proposal in 1988. The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik.
However, more sightings are reported between april and september. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save the graphic on the next page. Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour. The humpback whale is a big traveler and has incredible endurance and takes almost no resting on his long seasonal migration to the south seas approx. Due to the covid19 pandemic we have decided to cease our activities until june 15th the earliest. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. The best whale spotting opportunities occur from mid june to august, which coincides with iceland s peak tourist season. Iceland endangered fin whale killed june 2018 youtube. The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds on them, while the majestic sperm whale is the worlds largest predatory animal. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. 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. Whale watching on the snaefellsnes peninsula guide to iceland. Flags fly at full mast and everyone has the day off if they want it. You can prepare yourself before visiting exhibition by downloading whales of.
These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. Cargolux airlines has safely flown two former captive whales little grey and little white to iceland following a 6,000 mile flight from china. The whales feed mostly on small krill and various species like herring and mackerel which the icelandic ocean is rich of for the whales in winter. Blue whales are also regular spring and summer visitors, particularly off the coast of north iceland in top whale watching locations like skjalfandi bay and eyjafjordur. The times and dates of the tour will vary according to the season.
Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Whale watching in june reykjavik forum tripadvisor. Iceland has blacksand beaches, natural springs, ice caves, whale watching, and a manmade lagoon that glows blue. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. If boat tour part of combo is cancelled on our behalf but purchased ticket includes the admission to whales of iceland exhibition, full price for the admission will be charged and the boat tour portion of the price will be refunded. Highlights of the stay summer solstice and midnight sun for the june trip. Our new and exclusive into the blue smallgroup holiday encompasses iceland s top three whale watching locations as you explore the country under the midnight sun with expert. They are lurking around all year round though, i would very much like to point that out. With our speedboats we can offer our passengers more area to cover in search for the gentle giants. From iceland no fin whaling in iceland this summer. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in.
129 51 677 1531 400 46 61 840 919 696 1499 705 763 1283 549 839 1181 356 1426 1263 1565 1154 1276 1442 940 1369 411 153 1399 831 1022 1162 1294 1392 1564 1382 229 295 798 887 1046 999 1222 1428 825