FALDUR CELEBRATES HALF A CENTURY AND OVER TWO DECADES OF WHALE WATCHING
Our oak boat Faldur, the first vessel in our fleet, celebrates its 50th birthday this year and over twenty years of whale watching. It is a charming boat with a long history and still going strong. We are proud of preserving such traditional oak boats which have been very important throughout history in the maritime culture in Iceland.
Faldur was built in 1972 in Westman Island, a well-built and steady boat, and was originally named Votaberg ÞH 153. For thirty years Faldur was used for fishing around Iceland and even whale hunting, with its base the longest in Þórshöfn on the northeast coast.
Faldur in Húsavík harbour around 1985. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
Faldur in the Húsavík shipyard way back. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
In 2001, the Gentle Giants-Hvalaferðir company bought the boat and restored it into a beautiful passenger vessel. From 2002, Faldur has peacefully been watching whales in the wild, disturbing nature as little as possible and sailed around Skjálfandi Bay with thousands of whale watchers from all over the world. With a capacity of 45 passengers, Faldur is also regularly used for all kinds of tailor made adventures such as transfers to Flatey Island.
Faldur in Húsavík harbour in 2001 bought by the company. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
Faldur on its way for the total makeover. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
Faldur ready after the convert to a passenger vessel. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
The first summer 2002 as a whale watching boat. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.
Oak boats need a lot of thorough upkeep and we are proud of our skilful maintenance team who take such good care of our boats. Faldur is indeed one of the best maintained passenger oak vessel in the area and always step by step improvements made to increase the safety and comfort of passengers and crew.
Faldur and a spyhopping humpback whale. Photo: Jesse Flores.
We look forward to welcome passengers on board Faldur for many years to come!
The annual beautiful Christmas lights on Faldur. Photo: Hafþór Hreiðarsson.