FULL CIRCLE: FROM STUDENT TO A WHALE WATCHING GUIDE
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. That’s how I landed on Iceland.
While searching for research opportunities, I found an internship focused on marine mammals at the Húsavík Research Center. Working on a boat with whales and dolphins every day? It sounded like a dream. Unreal, even. I had never seen a dolphin in real life, even though we have many in Greece. I wasn’t even aware whale watching was a thing! I thought only documentary filmmakers got to see these animals up close.
Humpback whale feeding
That internship was life-changing. I found something that truly defines me, excites me, and fills me with emotion. It felt magical. Beyond that, I fell in love with the social side of the activity—like connecting with the local community, which is so welcoming and warm. I was in a place where people of all ages share the same passion: whales. I also gained sailing experience in Iceland’s wild conditions.
When I returned to Greece to start my master’s in oceanography, anytime someone mentioned Iceland, I would end up spending the next hour sharing stories from my time there. Everyone was so curious and excited. I even started giving travel tips to people going to Iceland, so I guess I was guiding from Greece already!
But one summer, just before finishing my master’s, something made me truly realize how much I love this job. My friends and I were sailing around the islands, as we do one day every year. I told them I hoped we might see dolphins, though none of us really expected it. Suddenly, my spotting instincts kicked in. I saw dolphins from far away, and we quickly changed direction. The dolphins came right to our boat, bow riding and jumping in front of us! My friends had never seen dolphins before and were overjoyed.
Guide: Dimitra Perari
That moment reminded me how much happiness it brings me to show people these majestic creatures and witness their reactions. I'm so happy I returned to Húsavík—especially to this company, which, funnily enough, was the same one I went on my first whale watching trip with... and saw my first whales!
Guide- Dimitra Perari