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Where whales and puffins say hello!
Whale watching is a dream for many. In Iceland, whale watching is already possible right in the capital. Only 45 minutes away from the international airport, the ships are anchored in the port of Reykjavik. Faxaflói Bay near Reykjavik is the largest bay in Iceland. It lies between the Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes peninsulas. Various species of whales live in the bay, as well as numerous seabirds.
The most sighted species are minke whales and white-beaked dolphins, as well humpback whales frequent the bay. Around 30.000 puffins also breed on nearby islands off Reykjavik from May to August. During a whale tour, they can often be seen fishing on the high seas. In addition, the excursion offers a beautiful view of the skyline of the capital of Iceland. The shimmering façade of the Harpa concert hall is impressively staged in the old harbour.
Experience minke whales and puffins in Reykjavik
We stare intently at the water surface. A gathering of excitedly flapping seabirds gave us the secret: Here's a whale. And indeed, just a few seconds later, his blow reveals the direction. I catch a glimpse of the cute narrow snout, then its crescent-shaped little fin emerges from the water and a slender dark back parts the waves. Three more times we can follow the minke whale's swimming movements, blow and fin, then it dives. Waterfowl swarm around the boat. The cute puffins are among them. They fish and their clumsy water start puts a smile on our faces. Then there's a call and we whirl: Dolphins in sight at three o'clock.”
We stare intently at the water surface. A gathering of excitedly flapping seabirds gave us the secret: Here's a whale. And indeed, just a few seconds later, his blow reveals the direction. I catch a glimpse of the cute narrow snout, then its crescent-shaped little fin emerges from the water and a slender dark back parts the waves. Three more times we can follow the minke whale's swimming movements, blow and fin, then it dives. Waterfowl swarm around the boat. The cute puffins are among them. They fish and their clumsy water start puts a smile on our faces. Then there's a call and we whirl: Dolphins in sight at three o'clock.”
On the first whale watching tour with Elding in Reykjavik, AGE™ was able to spot two minke whales and admire numerous puffins fishing. The second tour had fewer puffins but featured three minke whales and a full pod of white-beaked dolphins. Please remember that whale watching is always different, a matter of luck and a unique gift from nature.
Nature & animals • Wildlife Viewing • Whale Watching • to Iceland • Whale Watching in Iceland • Reykjavik • Whale watching in Reykjavik
Whale watching in Iceland
There are several good spots for whale watching in Iceland. Whale tours in Reykjavik are ideal for a trip to the capital of Iceland. The fjords at Husavik and Dalvik are known as great whale watching spots in North Iceland.
Numerous Icelandic whale watching providers are trying to attract guests. In the spirit of the whales, care should be taken when selecting nature-conscious companies. Especially in Iceland, a country where whaling has not yet been officially banned, it is important to promote sustainable ecotourism and thus the protection of whales.
AGE™ has participated in two whale tours with Elding:
Elding is a family-run company that places great importance on whale conservation. It was founded in 2000 and was the first whale watching company in Reykjavik. While a neighboring provider advertises on its website that you can drive particularly close to the animals, Elding emphasizes the guidelines for responsible whale watching. AGE™ appreciates that Elding has tightened the IceWhale Code of Conduct for his team.
The ships are 24 to 34 meters long and comfortably equipped with a viewing platform and a large, cozy interior. If necessary, the passenger is also given warm overalls. The company also offers a small exhibition on marine animals and whale protection on the lower deck of their ship, which is stationary in the harbor.
Nature & animals • Wildlife Viewing • Whale Watching • to Iceland • Whale Watching in Iceland • Reykjavik • Whale watching in Reykjavik
Whale Watching Experiences in Reykjavik:
A special experience
A special experienceGentle giants, lively dolphins, clumsy puffins and a view of the Reykjavik skyline. With a bit of luck, this will become a reality for you with a whale watching tour in the capital of Iceland.
How much does whale watching in Iceland at Elding cost?
How much does whale watching in Iceland at Elding cost?
A boat tour costs around 12500 ISK for adults including VAT. There are discounts for children. The price includes the boat tour and the rental of windproof overalls. In summer, a tour in a small RIB boat is offered as an alternative for a surcharge.
As of 2022. You can find current prices here.
How much time should you plan for a whale tour?
A classic whale watching tour lasts about 3 hours. A premium tour on the fast small RIB boats with only 12 people takes about 2 hours. Participants should arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts. If you are also interested in the cute puffins and are in Reykjavik at the right time of year, you can plan an extra hour for the puffin tour.
Is there food and toilets?
On the Elding ship, which is firmly anchored, toilets can be used free of charge before and after the tour. On the classic whale watching tour, a cafeteria and toilets are available in the heated interior of the ship. There are no sanitary facilities on the RIB boat.
Where is Elding Whale Watching in Reykjavik located?
The ships depart from the old port in Reykjavik. The meeting point for the Elding Whale Watching Tour is the red and white ticket office at the harbour. A few meters away are the Elding ships at the pier. Here is the visitor center, a souvenir shop, toilets and a small wildlife exhibition on the lower deck. Access to the respective tour boats is via the ship.
Which sights are nearby?
The Whale Museum Whales of Iceland as well as the popular attraction FlyOver Iceland are located just 1km west of the Elding ticket office. Alternatively, the old port of Reykjavik invites you to take a short walk, because 1km east of Elding is the well-known one Harpa Concert Hall located. Anyone who feels hungry after the boat tour is well advised to stop off at the small Seabaron restaurant.
It's worth several days for that capital of Iceland to plan, because there are many interesting ones Attractions in Reykjavik.
Interesting information about whales
What are the characteristics of a minke whale?
The northern minke whale is also called minke whale. It belongs to the baleen whales and is 7-10 meters long. Its body is narrow and elongated, the snout tapers to a point and the dark back merges into a white underside.
Its blow reaches a height of almost two meters and the crescent-shaped fin is always visible shortly after the water fountain. When diving, the minke whale does not raise its tail fin, so no fluttering can be observed. Typical dive time is 5 to 10 minutes, with over 15 minutes possible.
Are white-beaked dolphins a species of cetacean?
Yes. The family of dolphins belongs to the order of the whales. More precisely, to the subordination of the toothed whales. With around 40 species, dolphins are actually the largest whale family. A whale tour can rightly be rated as successful if dolphins have been sighted. The white-beaked dolphin is one of the short-billed dolphins that typically live in cold waters.
Read information about Humpback whales in profile
Good to know
AGE™ has written three whale reports in Iceland for you
1. Whale watching in Reykjavik
Where whales and puffins say hello!
2. Whale watching at Husavik
Whale watching with wind power and an electric motor!
3. Whale Watching at Dalvik
On the go with the whale protection pioneers in the fjord!
Exciting places for whale watching
• Whale watching in Antarctica
• Whale watching in Australia
• Whale Watching in Canada
• Whale watching in Iceland
• Whale Watching in Mexico
• Whale watching in Norway
In the footsteps of the gentle giants: Respect & Expectation, Country Tips & Deep Encounters
Nature & animals • Wildlife Viewing • Whale Watching • to Iceland • Whale Watching in Iceland • Reykjavik • Whale watching in Reykjavik
This editorial contribution received external support
Disclosure: Disclosure: AGE™ were given discounted or free services as part of the report. The content of the contribution remains unaffected. The press code applies.
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Liability
The content of the article has been carefully researched and is based on personal experience. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. If our experience does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. Since nature is unpredictable, a similar experience cannot be guaranteed on a subsequent trip. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE™ does not guarantee topicality or completeness.
Source reference for text research
Information on site, as well as personal experiences on two whale watching tours in July 2020.
Elding (n.d.) Homepage of Elding. [online] Retrieved on 5.10.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: http://www.elding.is