The whales of iceland are safe from harpoons and nets for another year as the nations two major whaling companies have decided to call off their summer whaling season. For the next nine months, the humpbacks feast on krill, cod, sardines, and other schooling fish in the cold icelandic waters. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. 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. Whales of iceland the largest whale exhibition in europe. I have read that iceland only gets 4 to 5 hours of day light this time of year. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. Between 2012 and 20, the number of whale watchers increased by 45,000, and the total number is now around 200,000 annually. Companies follow a protocol so as not to disturb them any more than than necessary, turning off their motors. Whales and dolphins are at their greatest numbers during the summer months between april and october when the marine beasts come to feed on the plankton that thrives on the nutrientrich deposits of icelands bays. But did you know that husavik is also the only place in iceland where. Minimize your carbon footprint and join the electric sailboat opal for a green whale watching of a lifetime. Whale watching reykjavik special tours updated april.
In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. You have probably heard that husavik is a great place for whale watching. Visit our website for bookings and further information. Iceland in late april early may iceland lonely planet. Whale watching has blossomed over the last few years and at least companies run whalewatching trips from various places around iceland. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips.
Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows if there is much chance of seeing anything on a whale watching tour in february. The whaleplanner april a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. Iceland special tours whale watching and other tours. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and orcas are common in the full bloom of spring. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Well, you can see whales all year round in iceland but the peak season for highest chance of seeing the majestic whales starts in april. Iceland will not kill any whales in 2020 iflscience. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. The high season for whale watching tours is from april to midoctober. This article provides everything you need to know about whale watching in ice land, plus some fun facts about whales in iceland.
With our speedboats we can offer our passengers more area to cover in search for the gentle giants. Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Featured are 23 lifesize models of the species found in icelandic waters. 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. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. We are thinking about going to iceland in april and i was after some advice. I am more so drawn to the misconception among iceland tourists that whale meat described as steak with a fishlike flavor is a local specialty worth trying. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Our goal is to help you with your iceland april travel planning because we.
Keep in mind that whales are lurking in the deep throughout the year. Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. Whale watching in december iceland forum tripadvisor. 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. The whales of iceland exhibit is the largest exhibition of its kind in europe. We would like to tour iceland and perhaps finland and norway from mid april till 1st week in may 2016. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. 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. We plan to get a car hire small 2wd from hertz and pick up the car at the airport. We are leaning toward driving but would also like to get to do glacier trekking, whale watching and see the northern lights.
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. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. Tips for traveling iceland in the spring the blonde abroad. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. The best time for whale watching in iceland is in the summer. 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. Why are there hardly any whale watching tours in iceland during winter. 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.
These range from one of the smallest marine mammals, the harbour porpoise, all the way up to the gigantic blue whale. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience. Arctic adventures northern whale watching tours have a 98% success rate when it comes to whalesightings. Over the last two decades, iceland has become one of europes premier whale watching destinations. 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.
How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. The best time for spotting whales around iceland is the summer. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked. The peak season for activity is from june to august. April is the beginning of whale season in iceland, so be sure to book a boat ride from reykjavik or husavik. 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. Whales are drawn by fish and so every selfrespecting tourist is there to see the miracle. I have been looking at some whale watching sites to compare prices and some of them dont list march. The best season for whale watching in most parts of iceland is therefore between april and october. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Reykjavik, 28 april 2020 ifaw welcomes the announcement of the two icelandic whaling companies that they wouldnt hunt whales this summer. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. June, july, and august are peak season and offer the best opportunity to see the largest number of species.
Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to iceland as seeing northern lights, hot springs and glaciers. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. Please could you tell me, do the watch watching tours still run this time of year. There are quite a few reason why i really enjoy whale watching in iceland especially during april.
It is now clear that what we are seeing is the end of icelandic whaling, which is good news for whales, good news for. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland. Patrick ramage, ifaws marine conservation programme director, said. Iceland is a country known for its natural wonders. Our tour selection combines of whale watching, northern lights by boat, puffin, rib and sea angling tours among other exciting adventures. When we reached out to gg1 whale watching tours, they said. Get a boat and sail into this new exciting adventure. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. The best time for whale watching in iceland is the summer june, july, and august when the wildlife is at its peak and when whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. The cookies used on our website do not collect any personal information about you. 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. Three mps had also called for an inquiry into whaling in the autumn of 2012.
In addition to the humpback whale and dolphins, minke whales and harbour porpoises are frequently spotted in the bay. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. As public opinion changes and consumption of whale meat declines, commercial whaling may be one step closer to a permanent end in iceland and possibly the world. 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. We are thinking of visting iceland the end of december. A rib is faster than the wind and makes it therefore more likely for us to find the big whales. Already in april, more and more whales start to show up.
Gems of iceland with whale watching zrs 6 day tour from reykjavik to reykjavik active pace. Icelandic whaling company iputgerd announced april 24 that it is stopping whaling completely, while the countrys largest whaling firm, hvalur hf. Things to do in iceland in april northern lights hunting in april in iceland visiting glaciers in april in iceland whale watching in april in iceland spot a puffin in april in iceland festivals in april in iceland aldrei for eg su. The incredible migration of the humpback whale whales of iceland. Iceland sees its second year in a row without whaling. The ultimate guide to iceland in april guide to iceland. You can really start to see whales in iceland in april and have a pretty good shot through october. That would be the answer to many of the questions we have had.
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. The best time of year to see whales in the waters around iceland is from april to october. Does anyone have suggestions as to tour companies and or reasons we should do a self guided driving tour. Within a few minutes i spot minke whale on a restaurant menu next to a selection of puffin tapas. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and. This orca whale watching tour is operated by one of our reliable partners. Cetaceans often sighted are minke whales, humpback.
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