Please be at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. Late this november, husavik has once again proofed that it is the whale capital of iceland, with humpback whales in numbers rarely seen before at this time of the year. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. 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 snaefellsnes peninsula, but tours are also offered starting from the capital reykjavik or from akureyri close to husavik. 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. You can prepare yourself before visiting exhibition by downloading whales of. Between 2012 and 20, the number of whale watchers increased by 45,000, and the total number is now around 200,000 annually. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. In husavik bay october and november are great for whale watching. We are going to iceland early november this year, can you please advise if it is worth doing the whale watching tours. Whale watching in november reykjavik forum tripadvisor. With this trip you will have the entrance to the whales of iceland exhibition, where. These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale.
The laugavegur hiking trail already sold out the entire summer of 20. Iceland is a country known for its natural wonders. In light of the corona covid19 pandemic we regretfully have halted our tours until april 15th the first. 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. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. You could go whale watching and you might see whales but you may not like rough seas and being cold and wet. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. 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. To make the models for the exhibition, we created detailed blueprints based on close study of the 23 species found in icelandic waters. 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. Theres also some places for opportunistic whale watching while doing a regular nature tour, i.
The success rate of the summer tours is over 95%, in the north, this is even higher at 98%. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. We couldnt find many whale watching tours in the eastfjords of iceland but hotel hildibrand in neskaupssta. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. We saw a little part of a whale for about 10 seconds out of the 4 hrs we were in the water. And it is always hard to say about the weather in iceland. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. 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 whaleplanner november a whale watching infographic. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whalewatching trips from various places around iceland. The ultimate guide to iceland in november guide to iceland. We went whale watching a couple of days ago midjuly out of husavikwe were cold, wet, and miserable. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Why you should visit incredible iceland in november 2020. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife it offers. 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. And of course, feel free to share it with your friends who might be interested in seeing whales. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. Of the 23 different species of whale found in icelands waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions.
Most likely whales august in august you can meet right whales in argentina, humpbacks in greenland and iceland or orcas, humpbacks and gray whales alltogether along the beautiful fjords of alaska. Gems of iceland with whale watching zrs 6 day tour from reykjavik to reykjavik active pace. 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. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. About whales of iceland open since 2014 lifesized models.
Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. The whaleplanner august a whale watching infographic. Whales of iceland opened its doors for wdc and erich hoyt who held an impressive lecture to celebrate 25 years of whale watching in iceland. You certainly wont be short of things to do in iceland in november, especially if youre only on a quick weekend break like many people are. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. So i would definitely recommend you to go on the whale watching tour in november. 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.
From november until march its particularly orcas and humpback. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. 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. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. From november until march its particularly orcas and humpback whales that are hunting in the fjords rich in fish. 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. The declining demand for both minke and fin whale meat has forced hvalur hf to dispose of excess whale meat creatively. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen.
Get a boat and sail into this new exciting adventure. 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. If there are no sightings on the tour, you can use your ticket number to reschedule your reservation and join another tour for free. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year.
The best season for whale watching in most parts of iceland is between april and. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Many people on the boat were seasick, and the rest of us were uncomfortable. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whale watching trips from various places around 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. Three mps had also called for an inquiry into whaling in the autumn of 2012. 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.
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. With the lowlands often still snowfree, its also an ideal time to travel around iceland without worrying about the weather. From april to october, the city of husavik turns into heaven for whale loversthe coastal area is so full of them. Winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. It might be pretty cold though but the whale watching tour are going all year. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. 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. Of the 23 different species of whale found in iceland s waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. 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. 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. 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. Winter has arrived so the multiple activities related to ice and snow are in full swing, but the business of the christmas month is still far away.
They have whale watching trips year round but it is a very cold, very wet experience in winter. A good time for orcas would be from november to april around snaefellsnes, humpbacks are mostly seen in november december and then again from. 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 tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. After november, you can get private tours for groups. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. In winter, iceland is one of the best places in the world to observe whales, too. 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. 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. Although the whale watching season in husavik is soon coming to an end the whales are not going anywhere. 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 whales of iceland exhibition, open since 2014, features lifelike fullsized models of the whale species around iceland, an interactive installation, vr and audio guide.
Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. November whale watching iceland message board tripadvisor. Realize your dreams of watching humpback whales and orcas in their natural environment on a 3hour original whale watching tour from husavik, capital of whale watching in 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. Nov 28, 2015 activist hackers from the anonymous collective have claimed responsibility for bringing down five government websites in iceland in a protest against whale hunting by the north atlantic nation. The hotel posts daily if and when they are going out with the boat. 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. Statement regarding hvalur hfs killing of a rare hybrid whale.
The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. 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. On november 6, 1986, rodney coronado and david howitt, activists linked to the sea shepherd conservation society, sabotaged a whaling station at hvalfjord by destroying machinery and computers. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. Anonymous hackers target iceland sites in whaling protest. Is it possible to see the humpback whales and where would it. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. They also unbolted the engines raw water intakes on two of icelands four whaling ships and sank the vessels, still anchored, in reykjavik harbour. Tours departing from reykjavik operate all year round while tours from husavik, on the north coast of iceland, only operate from the end of march to november.
Best value whale watching trip from reykjavik guide to iceland. We are planning a 7 days trip to iceland in mid october and are very interested in whalewatching. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. We recommend at least 4 days in iceland get an early morning flight on day 1 and a late one on the way back so that you can make the most of your time there. Activist hackers from the anonymous collective have claimed responsibility for bringing down five government websites in iceland in a protest against whalehunting by the north atlantic nation. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. Whales are drawn by fish and so every selfrespecting tourist is there to see the miracle. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save the graphic on the next page.
1489 1305 1089 1465 466 1267 992 739 1571 534 894 161 766 802 17 881 589 713 246 1463 154 192 887 293 133 214 1301 123 120 1349 228 5 1208 617 7 78