In the blink of an eye, another month has flown by! While June's weather hasn't exactly been our favorite, it's been a fantastic month for whale sightings. Daily sightings have been incredible these last weeks as we observed playful dolphins, hungry humpback whales, minkes and the majesty of the sea: the blue whale.
The beautiful humpback whales are a migratory species. They travel from tropical waters—their breeding grounds—to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet in Skjálfandi Bay! The whales we see here belong to the North Atlantic population, and they come to us from places like the Caribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic, and West Africa.
As weeks pass by and the season proceeds, more and more humpback whale individuals pass by. Some stay just shortly, come and go, others stick around for a while, even for weeks. Some of these individuals are known from previous years, while others are newbies in the bay.
Today, 17th of June, is Iceland's National Day. It commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on 17th of June 1944 and, therewith, celebrates the declaration of independence from Denmark. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 19th-century Icelandic independence movement.
You’ve just finished your amazing whale watching tour—maybe you saw a humpback breach or caught a tail slap on camera. The sea gave you unforgettable memories. But now what? What else is there to see in Húsavík? Just a few minutes from the harbour lies a hidden gem: Lake Botnsvatn.
When we picture whales, we don’t usually think of hair. But what if I told you that our beautiful humpbacks still carry tiny reminders of their land-dwelling past—right on their heads. Humpback whales are part of the baleen whale group, known scientifically as Mysticetes.
As spring gives way to early summer in the North Atlantic, a remarkable event is quietly unfolding on Puffin Island: Our beloved puffins, known for their colourful beaks and comical waddles, have officially clocked in for their most important job of the year—egg-sitting! Each puffin couple lays ONE (yes, just one!) egg and then takes turns babysitting like the responsible seabirds they are.
Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming two enthusiastic groups of children from the playschool Grænuvellir in Húsavík. These young visitors are in their final year of playschool and have spent the winter immersed in an exciting educational journey as part of the Hvalaskólinn (Whale School) project.
There are no words to truly capture the magic of this bay. Skjálfandi Bay, famous for its whale watching activity, designated a Hope Spot for its rich biodiversity, rich in local traditions and history, and home to some of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
There’s no better way to end a day than out at sea, watching whales while marvelling at the sunset! And now, we're turning that dream into reality! Head out onto the bay with us, into the golden hour and be carried away by the beauty of whales and dolphins beneath a painted sky.
