Please, be aware that due to environmental reasons, during certain times of the year your trip may be delivered on a shared boat with one of the tour providers partners. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. Climb aboard your boat to search for the aurora borealis, a spectacular celestial display of. If youre visiting iceland during the winter months, you can keep warm with the warm overalls provided. Winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. After selecting a departure time to suit your schedule, climb aboard a traditional icelandic oak ship and set sail for a prime whalewatching destination on the icy. Whale watching in iceland is becoming more and more popular. 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. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales.
If you need it warm and cozy during winter, just follow the gray whales and go to. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. 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. The guides will give a short presentation on the species of whale that can be seen on the trip. Winter whale watching is a whole other experience and adventure compared to our summer tours. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. Overview of whale watching in iceland iceland boasts not just the best whale watching in europe but is also one of the best places to whale watch in the world. 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.
They are running a charming oak boat and offers light refreshments on board. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. Winter tours in iceland, summer tours in iceland, we have all the activities you may need on your travel to iceland. With the warmer temperatures, the long daylight, and the calmer winds this information is definitely correct. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. The second is an activity that is essential when visiting reykjavik in winter a northern. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Between december and february, our whale watching tour is operated from grundarfjordur. I have read that iceland only gets 4 to 5 hours of day light this time of year. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. A comprehensive guide to winter activities in iceland during the winter. Chances to see those unique mammals are especially good during winter and spring. During winter a single departure is common, shortly before or after noon.
Discover the best mobile apps to download before your trip to iceland. Vacation whale watching activities in iceland expedia. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife it offers. We are thinking of visting iceland the end of december. Orcas in iceland orca whale watching iceland killer.
Of the 23 different species of whale found in icelands waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. Whale watching and northern lights in iceland artisan travel. 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. 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. Every whale watching tour in iceland has very knowledgeable guides onboard to answer questions. 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. During winter, whitebeaked dolphins are also regular guests in this area. Whale watchers to iceland can expect to see orcas, humpbacks, minkes and blue whales, while cruising past glaciers and snowcapped mountains with harbor porpoises, seals and puffins for company. Most drives take you through fields of lumpy black lava covered with brightgreen moss where steam rises, occasionally smelling of. This trip ensures you experience everything iceland has to offer, from the natural. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours.
Though that may not sound like a whole heap of danger, each incident was aided by iceland s emergency services. Whale watching in iceland information arctic adventures. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. The whales of iceland exhibition is bestknown for have lifesized models of all 23 species of cetacean whales, dolphins and porpoises found in this countrys waters. Visiting iceland in winter can be a wonderful experience as there are fewer people, beautiful winter landscapes, and chances to see the northern lights. 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. See more ideas about whale watching, whale, iceland. A final advantage of whale watching in summer is that you can partake in a smaller vessel such as a rib for a much closer, more personal encounter. 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. 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.
Whale watching in december iceland forum tripadvisor. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Winter in north iceland is the true icelandic winter. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. Whale watching iceland winter snaefellsnes winter whale. There are also a number of fun winter activities to do like skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and joining in on holiday celebrations. Grundarfjordur, snaefellsnes iceland orca watching in winter december and march have proven to be the best months for watching orcas in iceland during winter. You can find the exhibition in reykjavik, icelands capital city. Best whale watching spots in iceland guide to iceland. The countrys unique position between two ocean currents in the north atlantic means that its waters are filled with krill and fish the perfect attraction for hungry whales and dolphins. A beached whale was, in hard times, and there were often hard times in iceland, equivalent to a major lottery win.
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. Here below are good websites to use when traveling in iceland in winter. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Iceland has blacksand beaches, natural springs, ice caves, whale watching, and a manmade lagoon that glows blue. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. They feed on herring and capelin, which are more abundant around iceland in winter.
Whale watching in winter iceland forum tripadvisor. As the greatest animals that have ever lived, blue whales and fin whales, are seen on occasion, some of these models are enormous. View gallery download holiday overview download trip notes. 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. Whereas agriculture is the mainstay of rural areas, the towns depend upon fishing, industry, trade and a range of services, with each village having its own characteristics though they all prove hospitable hosts. Visit the whales of iceland exhibition with lifesized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality experience. During summer, chances to see orcas are good as well but not as regularly as during. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland. Nowadays, every so often news reports will carry stories about a beached whale.
Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. Experience two of icelands most incredible natural sights as you go whale watching and search for the northern lights with this package of two separate excursions from reykjavik. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. I want to go on a whale watching trip late december. The much anticipated 2016 whale watching season commences in may 15th, just short of two weeks from today. Top 10 apps for travelling in iceland guide to iceland. This applies specifically to humpback whales, for instance. Are different whales sighted or do certain types have more likelihood of sightings during different times of year. While tours are less frequent in winter, they do offer the chance to experience the incredible spectacle of the northern lights from the water. Iceland used to be forested, but a combination of harsh weather, overgrazing by sheep and human settlement removed almost all the trees. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year.
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. Get app whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in. 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. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. Does whale watching from reykjavik make sense at this time.
It is a great sea excursion that will leave you amazed. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. Elding participates and support marine biologists research. Thanks to the gulf stream its only half as cold here with temperatures between 10 to. The most recent icelandic hvalreki event happened on 26 november 2015, when a beached whale appeared at seltjarnarnes, a lovely peninsula on the. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching.
This option is available in reykjavik and the north. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Here below are good websites to use when travelling in iceland in winter. Iceland, dalvik watching crazy humpback whale from the. Please could you tell me, do the watch watching tours still run this time of year. Hi, im thinking of visiting iceland in late september. Whale watching tour from reykjavik must see in iceland. That is where you find the whale watching company arctic sea tours. Whales of iceland partners with several whale watching companies around iceland.
Book your online tour with us and support local businesses book your. 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 lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often. We only seat 12 passengers per boat, and each boat has a expert whale watching guide and captain on board. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. There are many whale watching companies that will help you see the massive sea animals in their natural habitat.
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