This is a question we get very often, and rightly so. After all, most of us tend to avoid going out when the weather turns rough. Some land animals will also take shelter during thunderstorms or particularly windy days.
The wait is over – our very first scheduled 06:45 Early Morning GG1 Whale Watching tour departed today! With the soft light of the early morning shining over Skjálfandi Bay, calm waters, fresh sea air, and the bay slowly waking up, it was a magical way to start the day—and the perfect time to scout the bay for signs of whales.
Last month, during one of our evening sunset tours, we had a really special encounter. Seeing a baby blue whale is one of the rarest things we can see here in the bay, and maybe one of the rarest whale-watching encounters in general.
As our recent post has mentioned, the end of June has been incredibly busy here in Skjálfandi Bay, with many humpback whales staying between the 22nd and 26th of June. During our evening tour on the 24th, we witnessed something truly fascinating that deserves a closer look.
Hey, did you see me? No? Too slow! How about another round of hide-and-seek? Wait, what – did you just call me a dolphin? Dear human being, I AM NOT A DOLPHIN - I’m the elusive HARBOUR PORPOISE! Just look at me: a rounded head, a short mouth, and a small curved dorsal fin.
Whales are "conscious breathers", meaning they must actively control every breath they take. Unlike humans and most other land mammals, they cannot rely on automatic breathing. Instead, breathing is under voluntary control of the central nervous system (CNS).
Puffins tend to look a bit clumsy when flying, not surprising, they have to beat their wings up to 400 times per minute to stay in the air! In photos, they look a lot more graceful. The puffins we visit during our tours are busy feeding their chicks, flying back and forth to puffin island.
🐳 “Whale soup” sounds odd—especially to whale watchers—but in Húsavík it’s the best thing you can hear on the VHF before heading out. It means there are so many whales in the bay that you lose count, and sailing through them feels like moving through a giant soup of whales.
Skjálfandi Bay is famous for its whales, but the skies above the bay are just as full of life. Throughout the season, a variety of seabirds and migratory birds can be spotted here, adding another dimension to every wildlife adventure.
Today's whale watching tours gave us a rare opportunity. While observing a humpback whale repeatedly tail slapping, the tail was lifted high enough above the water for us to get a clear view of the genital area, allowing us to identify the individual as most likely a male.
