As days pass by, the north of Iceland is getting more and more colourful. Flowers are growing everywhere and the green of the grass covers the entire countryside. The last bit of snow in the mountains is slowly disappearing and life awakes wherever one looks.
The last weekend was filled with excitement as we sailed out to Skjálfandi Bay several times a day. During the trips we spotted a total of five different whale species: whilst on all our tours several humpbacks whales were spotted, also dolphins, minke whales and harbour porpoises were seen several times.
Whilst we and our boats are patiently awaiting the day that we can sail out of the harbour again and let our guests submerge in the world of whales, we know that life has returned to Skjálfandi Bay over the past weeks.
In an article published by “The New York Times”, locals of eleven top tourist destinations were asked what it’s like to experience a place, that is normally filled with tourists, all empty during current travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Gentle Giants’ CEO Stefán Guðmundsson was one of the persons questioned.
The Icelandic government announced yesterday that it expects to open its borders and start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June 2020 (with conditions). Gentle Giants has been closed since 20 March due to COVID-19, for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
Earlier in March we wrote about our fishing boat Aþena having returned to Húsavík right in time to start the annual lump fish season. (In late autumn she had been relocated to Reykjavík and underwent both, modernisation and maintenance work during the following winter months.
From recommendations by official authorities, we continue to keep our operation closed temporarily and all tours have been cancelled until May 5th at least. This is done for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we have closed our operation temporarily and all tours have been cancelled until April 20th at least. This is done for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
In Skjálfandi Bay, humpback whales are seasonal visitors and one of the most common species we encounter on our tours. They head north towards Icelandic waters in early spring, eager to return to their feeding grounds.
In late autumn 2019, our sea angling boat Aþena was taken out of the water and brought to Reykjavík, where she was modernised with a new engine and received a general beauty treatment at the same time.
