The best whale spotting opportunities occur from midjune to august, which coincides with icelands peak tourist season. Weather at sea is always colder than on land and therefore we recommend dressing appropriately, by wearing warm clothing and good sturdy shoes. I am looking to go to norway next year about november time and want to go on a whale watching tour to see orcas. Summer season 1 april 31 october is great for whale watching, as the wildlife in the bay is at its highest peak. Orca whale watching norway message board tripadvisor. We sailed with elding whale watching, and were just off the reykjavik coastline. Orcas, also known as killer whales, and sperm whales. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. Weve been preparing our two boats, niels jonsson and sandvikin, the last couple of weeks after the now finished winter fishing season. A holiday highlight is the opportunity to see beautifulyetdeadly killer whales feeding in the fjords of. Visit the whales of iceland exhibition with lifesized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality experience.
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. There are two types of boat trips offered, the classic whale watching tour or express rib boat tour. Please could you tell me, do the watch watching tours still run this time of year. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Most of the animal is black, with the exception of the belly which is white right up to the beak. In the period from january to march they invade waters around snaefelsnes peninsula, bringing other colourful water life with them.
Stay in remote countryside hotels, and as the evenings plunge the rugged landscapes into darkness, head out in search of the incredible aurora borealis. Therefore many travelers use the opportunity to go on a whale watching trip during their holidays in iceland. Killer whale holidays best time to see orcas natural world safaris. 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. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you. The orca killer whale orcas are the ultimate predators of the oceans.
Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Whale watching adventure available from reykjaviks old harbour. Killer whale orca the orca, also known as killer whale, is a member of the dolphin family and belongs to the toothed whales odontoceti that form a suborder of cetaceans. Whale watching on the snaefellsnes peninsula guide to iceland. 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. Marine biologists have cataloged around 400 unique individuals in iceland s waters, although it is possible that many more migrate during the warmer season. Icelandic waters make a home for around 24 species of whales, and north iceland is extraordinary. Join us for a chance to encounter the incredible whales and dolphins of faxafloi bay. Over the last two decades, iceland has become one of europes premier whale watching destinations. This page is about killer whales in iceland, and the research conducted by the icelandic orcas project.
Does whale watching from reykjavik make sense at this time. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Orcas in iceland orca whale watching iceland killer. Are different whales sighted or do certain types have more likelihood of sightings during different times of year. They are lurking around all year round though, i would very much like to point that out. Seeing these majestic giants of the deep in the flesh, as they play amongst the waves, is one of the finest experiences that iceland has to offer and a worthy. Whale watching tours are available from reykjaviks old harbour every day.
This article provides everything you need to know about whale watching in iceland, plus some fun facts about whales in iceland. Hi, im thinking of visiting iceland in late september. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. Discover the magnificent nature of skjalfandi bay observing whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural habitat. Orca watching iceland go to snaefellsnes with a private guide. Whale watching in december iceland forum tripadvisor.
The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds on them, while the majestic sperm whale is. Sail to the deep blue waters of faxafloi bay, which plays host to some incredible marine species, including minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and humpback whales. Whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. I have read that iceland only gets 4 to 5 hours of day light this time of year.
You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Killer whale close to haguanes whale watching north iceland. And the norwegian and icelandic fjords are full of whales, too. We only offer this tour and are unable to arrange holidays to iceland at any other time. This is the original whale watching tour from reykjavik and one of the most popular attractions in iceland. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to iceland as seeing northern lights, hot springs and glaciers. Foreign whaling fleets, in particular basque and dutch, did not become prominent in icelandic waters until the 17th century. Orca watching iceland how to reach snaefellsnes in the.
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 success rate of the summer tours is over 95%, in the north, this is even higher at 98%. Whale watching season is from april to midoctober with a peak in june. Below you can download the catalogue and read about our icelandic orca. 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. There is also a distinctive white patch above and to the rear of the eye. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. The identification catalogue is available for download at. The old harbor is conveniently located in the city center, with various cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops in the area. Exhibition whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. Orcas in iceland where and when can you see killer whales in.
This is of course wild nature and indeed unpredictable, but the chances of seeing whales are very high. Research shows that basque whalers appeared in iceland and set up whaling stations there at the earliest in the early 17th century. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. A unique experience and a show rare to be seen is the scene of killer whales coming to coastal waters to find some food. The much anticipated 2016 whale watching season commences in may 15th, just short of two weeks from today. Killer whalewatching in iceland audio slideshow travel. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. We are very excited about our our renewed trips to iceland in march 2017. Iceland is one of the best places in europe for whale watching. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Kvaloya, a neighbouring island to tromso, meaning whale island is where youll find the acrobatic humpback whale and the wolf of the sea, orca or killer whale. The good old whale watching tour with a little sea angling at the end of the tour.
Try a unique whale watching tour from the charming village of hjalteyri, a well kept secret in the heart of north iceland, only a 15 minute drive from akureyri. Can anyone please let me know where is the best place to go on an orca safari. Orcas are easily identified by the tall dorsal fin, which can be up to 1,8 m tall, and the dominant black and white colour. They have been known to attack other whales, which is why they are commonly referred to as killer whales. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour. 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. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer. Orca watching and northern lights holiday in iceland. Whales of iceland partners with several whale watching companies around iceland. 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. 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. Swim with killer whales in iceland or norway or watch them from a ship in canada.
More than 20 different species live in the waters surrounding iceland, 8 of which can frequently be seen on whale watching tours. Moreover, icelands first coop was founded in husavik in 1882. The north of iceland is known as the capital of whale watching. Get the ultimate whale watching experience during the peak season from april through october, when over 20 kinds of whale flock to the north atlantic. Orcas in iceland where and when can you see killer whales in iceland. 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. The biggest visitor attraction is whale watching and our hometown has in fact become known as the whale watching capital of. 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. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. Whale watching sea angling tours in north iceland whales.
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. 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. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. Jan 30, 2012 we sailed with elding whale watching, and were just off the reykjavik coastline. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. Year round whale watching tours from reykjavik iceland. Cruise the harbor in comfort and style, enjoy access to an indoor saloon stocked with snacks and drinks sold on board, and spot icelands diverse aquatic species with help from the. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. You can find the exhibition in reykjavik, icelands capital city. Depending on the season and mainly on the daylight, we will be able to add a few extra stops along the way. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages.
You can also borrow one of our warm blankets and overalls. 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. We are thinking of visting iceland the end of 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. All you need to know about whale watching in iceland. In recent years, yet another trade has grown in husavik the tourism industry. Dec 18, 2014 killer whalewatching in iceland audio slideshow in grundarfjordur, northern iceland, a pod of orcas has taken to feeding in the fjord near the town in winter. By day see the orca killer whales hunting in the fjords. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the. The laugavegur hiking trail already sold out the entire summer of 20. Whale watching is operated from various locations around iceland. This is the time when the minke whales are at their most abundant, along with whitebeaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional humpback whales, giving us the chance to enjoy and understand them in their natural. On october 18th 2006, the government of iceland decided to allow commercial whaling again, and the first whale boat steamed 100 nautical miles out, almost to the fishing limits between iceland and greenland, looking for fin whales.
Killer whales of west iceland orca guardians iceland. Over the last few years large pods of orca have been coming to the west coast of iceland from january to april, remarkably close to a small fishing village from where we will be based. 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. Whale watching tour from reykjavik arctic sea tours. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Danes did not whale here in large numbers, except briefly during the 1630s. Location gentle giants whale watching husavik, iceland. 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. Agriculture and farming have also been important for the inhabitants. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. The ocean around iceland and in eyjafjordur has a variety of quality fish and we, as experienced fishermen, can almost guarantee that youll get a catch if you try.
Explore the landscapes of south and west iceland on this winter flydrive adventure. We highly recommend a privately guided tour to snaefellsnes for you with the addition of an orca watching tour. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and iceland. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours.
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