Guests often ask us if the whales are affected by the weather. It makes sense - we all want to get the best out of our trips! The simple response would be "not really, they need to come to the surface for breathing anyway".
Our beautiful bay is surrounded by nesting places for many different bird species. One of these is the noisy arctic tern, who we frequently see fishing as we go out whale watching. Their breeding season is coming to an end around this time of year.
During my internship in Skjálfandi Bay, I knew blue whales could pass through but rarely stayed. One evening, I heard one had been spotted. The next morning, my friends saw it again. An hour later, I went out, nothing.
Pectoral fins in whales are the evolutionary equivalent of forelimbs in land mammals. Inside, they contain bones similar to a human arm—shoulder blades, a humerus, radius, and finger-like phalanges—adapted over millions of years for life in the ocean.
Húsavík, a small town in northern Iceland, is known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and incredible marine life. Among the many creatures that call these waters home, the white-beaked dolphins are one of the most charming and beloved.
We welcomed some very special guests in Húsavík last week—guests who brought emotions and even tears of joy to all of us. It all started with a 30-year-old dream that finally came true. Our assistant manager Daniel Annisius, who has been with Gentle Giants for over 20 years—starting in the ticket center, then working as a guide, and now one of the heads of operations—had always heard of this dream.
It’s been a series of unique events that led me here. While studying biology in Greece, I had already decided to specialize in marine biology. During the COVID period, I promised myself that once things settled, I would do something abroad—somewhere still in Europe, but very different, with amazing nature.
PUFFIN SUPERPOWER - BUILT-IN FISH HOOKS! Puffins are often admired for their colorful beaks and charismatic behavior, but one of their most remarkable features is hidden inside their mouths: spiny structures that help them catch and carry multiple fish at once.
By now, you’ve likely discovered that our whales are seasonal visitors, arriving in subpolar waters each year to feed. But what makes these regions so ideal for them?The answer lies in the water itself: only nutrient-rich waters can sustain the abundance of food these gentle giants rely on.
If you join a trip during this time of year, chances are you’ll encounter common guillemots (or murres) floating on the water. At first glance, they look like any birds just hanging out—but there’s more to unpack here! Guillemots on the water Guillemots breed on high cliffs with narrow edges.
