MORE THAN WHALES: WONDERS OF SKJÁLFANDI BAY
When people set out from Húsavík to search for whales in Skjálfandi Bay, the whales are naturally the main attraction. But there is much more to discover on a trip across the bay. With all the elements one can encounter along the way, the wonders of Skjálfandi Bay create an experience that goes far beyond simply spotting a whale. And even when the sea is quiet and the whales are keeping out of sight, there is almost always something worth looking at! Keep reading to discover what to look out for once having left Húsavík harbour!
Grey Seals: Quiet inhabitants of the bay
Among the animals that may be encountered on a trip are seals. Grey seals can sometimes be seen resting on rocks or swimming through the water, appearing only briefly before disappearing beneath the surface. Unlike whales, seals can be surprisingly easy to miss. A head may pop up between the waves, or a seal may lie quietly on a rock near the shoreline before slipping back into the sea. Grey seals are one of the reasons we love to pass by our beloved Fiskisker, the Fish Rock, by the Cheek Mountains across the bay.
Jellyfish: Ghost below the surface
Look down into the water and you may discover another fascinating part of Skjálfandi Bay: jellyfish! Floating with the currents, jellyfish can appear almost otherworldly as they drift just beneath the surface. Their delicate bodies and slow movements are very different from the powerful movements of whales. They are also a good reminder that the bay is not only a place for large animals. Beneath the surface is a whole community of smaller organisms that contributes to the marine ecosystem and food chain, supporting fish, seabirds and, ultimately, whales.
Seabirds: Wings of the ocean
One of the most rewarding things about being out on the water is simply looking up. Even though several bird species may have already left at this time of year, others continue to stick around. Keep your eyes open for northern gannets, common guillemots, northern fulmars, kittiwakes, and other seagulls.
The northern fulmar is one of the birds you may see gliding effortlessly above the waves. Particularly well adapted to life at sea, fulmars can often be seen flying low over the water with remarkably little effort. They are also known for chasing speedboats, darting back and forth across their path with seemingly perfect timing.
Northern gannets, the largest seabirds in Europe, with their white bodies and black-tipped wings, golden-coloured heads, and striking blue eyes, can sometimes be seen soaring high above the water before suddenly folding their wings and plunging towards the sea.
Watching a gannet dive is an experience in itself — and when several birds dive at once, it can become quite a spectacle.
Marvels of Mother Nature: The Cheek Mountains
And then there is the landscape. As the boat moves away from Húsavík, the view opens towards the mountains across the bay: the beautiful Cheek Mountains! It is difficult to take your eyes off these mountains as you pass by, even for us who see them nearly every day. Their slopes are shaped by valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and small bays, creating a landscape that constantly changes as the boat moves along the coast. On a clear day, the mountains can appear remarkably close, while low clouds and mist can transform them completely. Sometimes only the lower slopes are visible; at other times the peaks emerge dramatically above the low clouds and fog. Perhaps, all that is what makes Skjálfandi Bay so memorable: you set out looking for whales, but the entire bay becomes part of the experience.
Photos by Sarah (captain/head guide)
