A BAY COMES ALIVE: THE FIRST WHALES OF OUR 2026 SEASON
Just a month ago, on April 1st, our 2026 whale watching season officially began.
We were thrilled to welcome our first giants of the year—and it was almost a tie for which species arrived first! Orcas, a minke and a humpback whale were all sighted within just a few hours.
As the days grew longer and the snow slowly began to melt, more life returned to the waters. By mid-April, puffins had officially arrived on Lundey, filling the skies and slopes of the island with energy once again.
From then on, humpback whales began appearing more frequently, with multiple individuals sighted in the following days—often foraging or feeding near Puffin Island. Excitingly, we observed both familiar individuals from previous years as well as some new arrivals.
On April 19th, we spotted our first blue whale of the season—the largest animal on Earth. A truly humbling encounter and a highlight of the month. For several days from then on, two blue whale individuals were sighted regularly on our tours.
In just a few short weeks, we’ve already encountered seven different species of whales and dolphins in the bay, from small to large: harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, orcas, humpback whales, a fin whale, and blue whales. A strong and vibrant start that has us excited for everything the season still has in store.
Throughout the month, the natural scenery of Skjálfandi Bay—with its snow-covered mountains and icy, deep-blue seas—added to the experience. As the snow began to melt, a gradual transition from winter to spring unfolded, with more birds and whales returning, filling the air with sound and the sea with life.
Photo Credit: Sarah Arndt (captain/head guide)
