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6 Best Locations for Whale Watching in Iceland
Whale watching is a unique and exciting experience! They are among the most captivating creatures in the world. Iceland is a perfect location for whale watching. In recent years, it has become a very popular activity for visitors just as seeing the northern lights. This is a place where you have an opportunity to get close to these gentle giants in their natural habitats.
The Icelandic waters are some of their best places to live in as they are a favourable feeding area for the whales. This is due to the relatively shallow depth of the waters and the long daylight during summer which enhances the flourishing of krill, fish, and zooplankton. The bountiful feeding ground attracts 23 species of whales from the huge sperm whale to little harbor porpoise.
Whale watching tours by different tour companies operate all-round the island and it is easy to see whales in Iceland all year round. The best time for whale watching is during summer months (May-August) when whales are feeding and breeding. In summer there are calmer winds, fewer storms, and clearer skies, and tours are less likely to be cancelled. The advantage of whale watching during winter is that the watching tours are less busy, and you will have more space to search for the gentle giants.
Whale watching tours are operated in Northern Iceland (Húsavík, Akureyri, Dalvík and Hauganes) and in the capital city Reykjavik, where tours are operated all year round. You will also find tours in Hólmavík in the western part of Iceland and Grundarfjörður or Ólafsvík on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Read on to discover some of the best whale-watching spots in Iceland.
Húsavík
Sometimes referred to as the” Europe’s whale watching capital” Húsavík is the best place to see whales in Iceland. This is a small, adorable town on the shores of Skjálfandi Bay in Northeastern Iceland. More than half of whale species living in the Icelandic waters can be spotted here! This is due to a thriving ecosystem in the bay, leading to bountiful masses of planktons, the main source of food for whales. Whales flock here to feed.
The most common species of whales you are likely to see in Húsavík are humpbacks, minke, blue whale, white-beaked dolphin, harbor porpoises. Sperm whales are also spotted here. Whale watching tours to Húsavík are operated from April until the end of October and generally last three hours.
A variety of companies offer whale watching tours in Húsavík. One of the best tours is North Sailing, which is the oldest company operating since 1995. Others include Gentle Giants which offers both whales watching and Sea-angling from Húsavík and Salka whale watching. There is also a Whale Museum at Húsavík where you can learn everything about whales.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the capital city of North Iceland and is located just 100km south from the Arctic Circle. It is the largest town outside of Reykjavik and a great place for whale watching in an urban area. Being close to the Arctic Circle, you have a 99% chance of spotting a whale at any time of the year. Akureyri Whale Watching Tours are ideal for families to watch whales. Tours will bring you to the Eyjafjörður; Iceland’s longest fjord which is sheltered from strong winds and highest waves.
The common species of whales spotted here are humpback and minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. Akureyri Whale Watching Tours is one of the most experienced and trustworthy in Akureyri.
Dalvík & Hauganes
Dalvík is located on the shores of Eyjafjörður fjord which offers magnificent scenery apart from whale watching. Dalvík is a popular area for whale watching in north Iceland. The chance of seeing whales here exceeds 98%, with over 99% during summer. There is a high probability to encounter humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and harbor porpoises. These are the most spotted species on a whale watching tour from Davík. Arctic Sea Tours offers whale watching tours from Dalvík all year round.
Between Akureyri and Dalvík is a tiny village called Hauganes, where the company Whale Watching Hauganes has been in operation since 1993. It often needs just a couple of minutes sailing from the harbour in Hauganes into the fjord to encounter beautiful whales, such as humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, dolphins and even Blue Whales and Orcas (Killer Whales).
During a whale watching tour, you might freeze because of the cold and the strong winds along the shore. So be sure you are dressed warmly ?
Reykjavík
Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in Iceland. It is quite amazing to watch the gentle giants just near the city. Reykjavik is located on the southern shore of Faxafloi Bay where whales are frequently seen. The bay has Nutrient-rich water which makes it a popular feeding ground for the whales.
The species of whales spotted here are white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and minke whales. A great number of humpback whales show up in summer. Whale watching tours from Reykjavik are available all year round. The tours which take three hours or less depart daily from the Old Harbor, located a short distance from the downtown area. The best tours include Reykjavik Whale Watching, Express Whale Watching Tour by RIB, and Reykjavik Sailors and main operators are Special Tours, Elding, Reykjavik Sailors and Whale Safari.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Though famed for its spectacular natural beauty, the Snæfellsnes coastline is the best place in Iceland to spot sperm whales and Orcas also known as the killer whales. The Orcas are more often seen in winter and the early summer, between April and June. Sperm whale the world’s largest predatory animal can be seen especially in June in deeper water.
Other species of whales here include minke whales, harbor porpoises, acrobatic white-beaked dolphins, and enormous humpback whales. Laki Tours offers unique whale watching tours on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The tours leave from the town of Grundarfjörður or Ólafsvík and take you to Breiðafjörður fjord.
Westfjords
This is a fairly remote place in Iceland and less travelled than other corners of the country. However, it is one of the country’s most spectacular and awe-inspiring regions. It is home to dramatic landscapes, natural geothermal pools, and puffin nesting grounds.
The Westfjords will give you a chance to see whales in their natural and untouched feeding grounds. The most common whales here are humpback whales. Other regular visitors of the bay are minke whales and white-beaked dolphins. The whales feed very close to the shore and hence a boat does not go very far to spot them. Laki tours, a tour operator from Hólmavík run whale watching tours in summer. The tours depart from Hólmavík Harbor and take around two hours.
Here is a blog about Whale Species in Iceland