What is recommended, to do whale watching from akureyri or husavik. 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. Whale watching in husavik, iceland rough guides rough. There are a few things most of our visitors in iceland do and one of them is whale watching. Whalewatching boats in the harbor of reykjavik, iceland grid. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog.
Later the boat was used for trawling, net and line fishing all the way up to 1990 when it was decommissioned. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. We can provide our guests with whale watching tours, departing both from reykjavik harbor and various fishing towns in iceland, e. And, in terms of whale watching, its ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. This was an amazing experience suitable for all ages. Daily tours depart from the old harbour in reykjavik, as well as from a few small towns in the north of iceland, especially from husavik, a sparsely populated. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whalewatching trips from various places around iceland. The little village vik in the south of iceland is the rainiest region of the country. Ten places have over 50 residents and akranes is the most densely populated with 6,500 inhabitants. Elding tour operator offers whale whatching tours from reykjavik iceland. Enjoy the smooth, safe sailing of a traditional icelandic oak boat with a cup of hot cocoa and a cinnamon bun.
Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. A humpback whale has been freed from fishing nets by the coast guard off the south coast of the langanes peninsula in northwestern iceland. Blue whale north sailing whale watching husavik iceland. There is a pretty good chance that you will see a humpback whale on any whale watching tour in iceland, especially in north and west iceland. The fact that in icelandic the word for beached whale hvalreki is the same as that for jackpot or windfall may give you some clue as to how these seaborne beasts are seen by the locals. 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. Three mps had also called for an inquiry into whaling in the autumn of 2012. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you. 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. In 1982, the commission took a decision, which came into force for the 1986 and 198586 seasons, that catch limits for all commercial whaling would be set to zero i. 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. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. 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.
Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. One of the largest stocks, 700 individuals, is believed to migrate to icelands coast in the summer. The most famous killer whale of all times, keiko, perhaps better known as willy, was born and caught in icelandic waters. We were going to visit and explore reykjavik for a few days before leaving to explore iceland in a campervan. When you go whale watching in iceland, rest assured that the whale watching companies iceland conduct their activities with respect for the gentle giants. Commonly seen species of whale in iceland of the 23 different species of whale found in icelands waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. We are staying for 2nights in akureyri after a hectic journey in iceland, i would rather not like to drive to husavik, so would you recommend me to join a whale watching tour from. In that project a number of companies, public institutions and individuals join hands and the goal is to lower the rate of accidents in travel and tourism in iceland.
Commonly seen species of whale in iceland of the 23 different species of whale found in iceland s waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. The beautiful whale bay branches into the mountainous landscapes between the points akranes and kjalarnes. Book you icelandic experience today with nordic visitor. Then why not make the most of your stay and go whale watching in south and north iceland. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. The minke whale was the most commonly sighted whale species when whale watching tours started to run from husavik. 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. The population centres in west iceland are as varied as they are many. Fishing sardines on the west coast of vancouver island. Killer whale beaches in west iceland iceland monitor. Whalewatching is a rapidly growing business in iceland. Iceland travels terms and conditions contain legal obligations. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale.
Other good options for whale watching are the snaefellsnes peninsula on the west coast and the vestmannaeyjar islands located off the south coast of iceland. Therefore it is quite easy to include this activity in your wider tour. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. Adding an exciting whale watching tour to the famous golden circle will give you quintessential iceland in a day. 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. These energetic and touristfriendly behaviors bring pure joy to everyone. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. But you still can see a lot if whales off snaefellsnes peninsula. You are given cold weather gear before getting on the boat. The innermost part is framed with steep mountains, dropping almost straight into the. A number of countries, but not iceland, objected to this decision. The biggest complaint i have with guide to iceland. The declining demand for both minke and fin whale meat has forced hvalur hf to dispose of excess whale meat creatively.
Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. Arctic adventures northern whale watching tours have a 98% success rate when it comes to whalesightings. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. 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. Discover the magnificent nature of skjalfandi bay observing whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural habitat. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Everything you need to know before going on a whale watching tour in iceland. The fjord is approximately 30 km long and 5 km wide.
Of course, the unpredictable winter weather of iceland can raise a few challenges when it comes to 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. The 112 iceland app can be used for two things, both for added safety on your iceland trip. Whale watching a few icelandic companies offer whale watching. 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. In fall, they start to migrate south, but their breeding grounds are yet to be known. Between 2012 and 20, the number of whale watchers increased by 45,000, and the total number is now around 200,000 annually. The south side of the fjord runs through the municipality of kjos. The orcas are more often seen in winter and early in the summer, but there is a chance of seeing them all the way through the summer months. All of the larger communities put everincreasing emphasis on dynamic tourism where a wide selection of recreation and services are offered.
First record of a live blue whale balaenoptera musculus in the iberian. Iceland travel offers a variety of tours, packages tickets and services products through its website icelandtravel. Pdf recent trends in abundance of blue balaenoptera musculus. 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. We rented an apartment right by the seafront in laekir and a short walk to harpa concert hall and the marina where the majority of iceland whale watching tours leave from.
The who is closely monitoring the coronavirus and more information can be found here. It is about 30 km 20 miles long, 45 km wide, and quite deep 84m. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. Only 20 minutes from the dock we saw our first whales orcas, then soon thereafter saw a humpback whale, a minke whale, and a large group of pilot whales. We did the 3 hour whale watching trip from olafsvik. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Recent trends in abundance of blue balaenoptera musculus and humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae off west and southwest iceland. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. A mass stranding of over 50 pilot whales occurred last week in west icelands sn. A portrait of the legend of the valley of glymur with the rau. Take your time getting to know all that iceland s south and west coasts have to offer on this slowpaced selfdrive tour. 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. 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.
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