BRING ON JULY!
Almost too soon, we’ve reached the end of June... and what a June it has been. Every day we have eagerly clambered into our overalls to venture into the territory of the humpbacks, leaving the harbor safely assured that we will be welcomed with open flippers. On many occasions there has been so many whales in the bay, we have struggled to decide which whale we should visit first. On other occasions, we have been humbled by the grace of an individual. Given the extreme seasonality of sub-arctic environments such as Skjálfandi Bay, every month of the whale watching season is completely different.
The whales in June have been ravenously hungry, flashing us their tail as they plunge into an unseen banquet. They certainly deserve it, after their long tiring migration. Aside from humpback whales, on a few special occasions, we have also been visited by some larger migrants. Hungry blue whales sometimes stop by at this time of year for a snack in the bay, on their way northwards towards the arctic. Their blows are unmissable, reaching heights of ten metres. Nothing beats the atmosphere on board, when passengers join the lucky 1% of people that have encountered the largest animal on the planet. Despite their size, the lives of blue whales largely remain a mystery. However, there is one peculiar individual that has become a regular to Skjálfandi Bay. A fin-blue whale hybrid who we have come to recognise and call our own, returned once more in June to baffle the minds of the passengers with its strange genetic makeup. It wasn’t until 1986 that the first fin-blue whale hybrid was identified and it is still a developing area of science. We feel exceptionally lucky to have shared space with such a rare curiosity.
Often whilst looking for whales we also encounter some of the bay’s smaller species. White beaked dolphins, found all year round in the bay, don’t like to miss out on an opportunity to show off. Over this month, the dolphins have increased in confidence and are now swimming circles around us, parading under the boat and leaping out of the water to be absolutely sure they get our full attention.
June is equally an important time for the puffins, as their chicks hatch from their eggs and become instantly demanding. Puffin island has been a frenzy of activity, as the puffin parents work hard to get their greedy chick enough fish to satisfy it’s never ending needs.
As more and more whales appear in the bay, so do more travelers, having migrated themselves to Húsavík, dreamily following the whales. Our team at Gentle Giants is also rapidly expanding, as more guides and captains return to Húsavík for the whale watching season. We can only guess what wonders July will bring with it, as we delve further into the season and get better acquainted with the humpbacks that have made Skjálfandi Bay their summer home.
- Text: Trina Davies (guide)
- Photo: Fin-blue whale hybrid. Taken by Natàlia Amigó (head guide)
Our oak boat Sylvía watching a humpback whale in the midnight sun. Photo: Natàlia Amigó (head guide)
Fluke of a humpback whale. Photo: Natàlia Amigó (head guide)
Blue whale. Photo: Mark Badalan (guide)
White-beaked dolphin. Photo: Natàlia Amigó (head guide)