Book your tickets online for whales of iceland, reykjavik. Though its super small, its worth a few extra days to really get a feel for the art and cafe. Our whale watching tours have been operating since 1993 but we first started looking out for whales in our neighborhood in 1989, before anyone else in iceland. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter.
Iceland refuses to recognise the ban and currently allocates its whalers a quota to kill endangered fin whales the second largest creature on earth as well as minke whales. It might be pretty cold though but the whale watching tour are going all year. 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. Akureyri grundarfjordur took 6 hours but the scenic drive was worth being stuck in the car all morning on a nice day. 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. Why iceland gets away with killing massive, endangered whales. You could also spot other fun and unique sea creatures on these whale watching tours, such as seals, dolphins and sharks. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Im planning a trip to iceland within the next two months and whale watching is pretty high on my list of awesome things to do. We downloaded the free whale museum tour app and were able to listen and learn about each of the various. Best iceland tours worth paying for and when to save your money. Jul 17, 2018 when iceland filed its reservation to the whale killing moratorium in 2002, it specifically stated that commercial whaling would under no circumstances be allowed without a sound scientific. 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.
That makes us one of the oldest operating whale watching company in iceland. Weve had the same owners and same captains from the start. Diverging views on the value and uses of cetaceans, the largest mammals on earth, have. Arctic adventures whale watching tour from reykjavik departs from the citys old harbour and sails out onto faxafloi bay. The mercator projection was developed as a sea travel navigation tool. Be prepared to capture a photo of the giant whales of iceland. When and where to see whales in iceland iceland rovers. Incredible blue whales are, also, far more prevalent in the waters around north iceland. Im in the early stages of booking my very first solo trip. Please be at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. Ultimate guide to reykjavik capital of iceland extreme. But with almost everything else in the animal kingdom, there are seasons for everythin. We are planning a 7 days trip to iceland in mid october and are very interested in whale watching.
In nearly every part of the country, there is at least one option for a whalewatching tour, and its often touted as a mustdo. Is it possible to see the humpback whales and where would it be the best spots for whale watching. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. So i would definitely recommend you to go on the whale watching tour in november. Im going to iceland, the question is whether its worth it to take time out in iceland to go whale watching. Icelands minke whale quota in recent years has been set at 224 minke whales per year, though nowhere near that number has been caught in recent years. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. As of august 2016, more than 100,000 tourists and locals signed a petition against whale meat consumption in iceland, imploring the local government to end the outdated practice of whaling and instead support the growing business of whale watching, which generates an estimated 12 million dollars annually. 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. Majestic glaciers grind their way through cracked lava fields, gushing geysers explode with a powerful force, glittering ice caps pierce the.
There is also the whale museum there which is well worth the visit and it s a beautiful little town and bay. 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. The capital of iceland is a vibrant nordic metropolis with colorful houses and interesting streets, where impressive museums and inspiring galleries unexpectedly pop up next to bakeries and bars. Below is a list of ten things i wish id known before going to iceland. Inspiring scenery at every turn, extraordinary landscapes, and astounding natural wonders. Getting used to the value of the icelandic krona takes time, patience and. They are lurking around all year round though, i would very much like to point that out. Jun 23, 2009 in 2008, it concluded, million people went to sea to watch cetaceans in 119 countries. Husavik is in the far north of iceland, about a 6 hour drive from reykjavik. You can also book whale watching tours from akureyri and husavik. According to the ceos of icelands two whaling companies, exporting whale meat does not really pay off. If you head this compass direction, and keep going, you will reach your destination. Apr 05, 2019 that market has since collapsed and no whale meat was exported from iceland in 2017.
Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original authors request. 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 of iceland reykjavik 2020 all you need to know. Join us on a icelandic whale watching tour from the old harbor of reykjavik. It resumed largescale trade in whale products to japan in 2008, and since that time has shipped significant quantities of mainly endangered fin whale products to japan, norway, and the faroe islands. The tour companies and tourist info websites obviously claim that there is a good chance of seeing whales in the winter, but i cant seem to find any impartial information on whether theres actually any chance of this happening.
As an antiwhaling organisation, ifaw has repeatedly campaigned to persuade iceland to end its hunts a practice which, ifaw contends, is hurting its whale watching industry. Dalvik is an old fishing village and a commercial port for fisheries and goods in the area. 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. There are many species of whales living around iceland. There are probably no more than 50,000 to 100,000 fin whales in the north atlantic ocean, so it is remarkable they are sighted as frequently as they are.
In iceland, whales can be observed all year round and in the summer. After november, you can get private tours for groups. Im planning about 2 weeks to visit iceland in april to may, as i heard this is high time for whale watching. The short version is that the story of whaling and whale meat for local consumption has, in modern times, been closely linked to the idea of icelandic independence and self governing rights, explains norman. Tips for an epic icelandic road trip mapping megan. Find out detailed travel information about reykjavik in this complete guide. It comes as a surprise to many that the capital city itself offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in iceland. Iceland is one of my favorite countries in the world and a place i regularly visit. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. And it is always hard to say about the weather in iceland. If you are visiting in the summer months, it is a lot easier to take your time seeing everything you want in. Icelandic whalers have slaughtered more than 1,700 whales fin, minke and sei whales since the global ban on commercial whaling came into force in 1986. If youre interested in seeing these immense creatures for yourself, take a whale watching cruise.
If anyone has been please tell me about it, what to do, what not to do, and is it worth it. Because whales are pretty incredible, and seeing them in. Hopefully with a trip to copenhagen tagged on to the beginning or end. Top 10 apps for travelling in iceland guide to iceland.
We downloaded the free whale museum tour app and were able to listen and learn about each of the various kinds of whales while examining the. Its no wonder, in a country with only one native land mammal, and an incredible amount of coastline, near which most towns are located. The tourist goes through a long period of planning his vacation, where he wants to. Whale watching sea angling tours in north iceland whales. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. Over twenty species of whale can be seen in icelandic waters, seasonally. Sep 15, 2016 day 4 in iceland, day 3 driving the ring road. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Iceland joined cites in 2000 but joined japan and norway in entering a reservation exempting it from the ban on commercial trade in whale products. Just 10 minutes north of hauganes is the scenic village of dalvik, at the mouth of svarfa. The best 7 things to see and do in iceland nomadic matt. But if you are going to be up north, we recommend north sailing in husavik. We plan to do the usual, reykjavik and the blue lagoon.
Whales of iceland reykjavik 2020 all you need to know before. When is the best time to go whale watching in iceland. Planning a trip to iceland when to book whats on in iceland. What are the best mobile applications to download before travelling to iceland. Getting all you can from one day in iceland whats on in iceland. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. We rented an apartment right by the seafront in laekir and a short walk to harpa concert hall and the marina where the majority of iceland whale watching tours leave from. Is whale watching any better in iceland rick steves. Tips for an epic icelandic road trip iceland is literally a country which takes your breath away. Whale watching in iceland tips and tricks for families. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. Whale watching season is from april to midoctober with a peak in june. Icelands market for whale meat is japan, norway and the republic of palau, the.
The hotel posts daily if and when they are going out with the boat. When youre travelling to iceland, youre going to have to plan some things in advance. Soon to be dh and i are considering iceland for our honeymoon in september. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. We couldnt find many whale watching tours in the eastfjords of iceland but hotel hildibrand in neskaupssta. Best whale watching spots in iceland guide to iceland. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. Tourism officials are worried about icelands whaling quartz. Icelanders are aware that the very concept is a scam, and that they are using the same water as comes. I think from akureyri will be a long trip out of the fjord but if combining it with a visit to grimsey and you are prepared for the possibly quite rough and cold 6 hour trip then why not. Tips for traveling iceland in the spring the blonde abroad. Iceland in the spring is a beautiful time to travel and explore the island. 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. The misconception of whale meat being a traditional icelandic food is a complex issue to explain.
Our whale watching boat, rosin the rose, offers an absolute innovation in whale watching adventures in iceland, it is fast and a luxurious whale watching boat, one of its kind in iceland, providing security and luxury for all. Mar 01, 2018 another advantage is fin whales are often spotted on whale watching boat trips from north iceland. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway. Oct 11, 2017 we were going to visit and explore reykjavik for a few days before leaving to explore iceland in a campervan.
The convenience of whale watching in reykjavik is certainly one of the reasons why its so popular with travellers, but it is not the only reason to come here. Pdf both whaling and whalewatching tourism occur in iceland, but these activities are. At the end of a tour, guides inform passengers where they can eat whale meat claiming it to be a traditional icelandic dish. May 17, 2016 whale watching reykjavik special tours. Gone are the heavy winter storms, and people begin to take to the outdoors. If you wish to go from iceland to anywhere on the map, all you have to do is draw a line between the two points and measure the angle. 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. Whalewatching cruise theres nothing wrong with planning a whale. The rock formations alone make this tour worth the trip. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland.
Though they prefer deeper water than those in faxafloi bay, sperm whales and northern bottlenose whales are also more commonly found in iceland in summer. 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. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. In the summer months, puffins and whales call it their home. If you fancy eating like a local in iceland, think more hotdogs and less whale fillets. 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. You can see the humpback whale, minke and the blue whale along with over 20 other species all around the coast. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. Yes, its 100% crueltyfree safe and definitely worth your while. I recommend downloading a currency converter to help you keep track of how much money youre actually spending. I dont think it makes sense to head out there just for the whale watching. If there are no sightings on the tour, you can use your ticket number to reschedule your reservation and join another tour for free.
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