In Skjálfandi Bay, it is also commonly observe numerous groups of dolphins. The white beaked dolphins might visit us throughout the year, in groups of around 10 individuals, but when feeding, they might gather into bigger groups! The name of the species is derived from the light-coloured or white beak that these dolphins have it.
As the nesting season of the puffins proceeds, a busy time has started for the parents. The chicks, or so-called pufflings, should have hatched by now, which means the adults have to continously venture out in search for food.
As the last day of June is over, we are happily looking back at an outstanding month: uncountable humpback whales have been spotted throughout the last weeks - in all areas of the bay. The bay seems to be rich in food as we saw these giants of the ocean feeding day after day.
Baleen whales are a group of whales which have rows of baleen plates in their mouth instead of teeth. These plates are hanged downward on either side of the upper jaw and permit to filter the food, while whales feed.
Whales are conscious breathers, which means they don't have a reflex or urge to breathe like us humans or other land-based mammals. The function of breathing in these animals is under the voluntary control of the central nervous system (CNS).
Mostly every year, we have a special visitor in Skjálfandi Bay, a hybrid whale! This whale is special because it is a combination of two whale species. In this case, it is between a blue whale and a fin whale, the two largest animals in the world.
Today we celebrate summer solstice and therewith, the longest day of the year. The summer solstice, or also called midsummer, occurs when either of Earth's poles - in this case the north pole - has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.
As you sail out into Skjálfandi Bay, our crew is constantly on the lookout, searching for indicators that let assume there's a whale in an area. The best way to locate a whale is to spot its spout, which appears above the surface as the whale exhales air - and depending on the species, it can be spotted from afar.
Happy 17th of June! Today is Iceland’s national day and one of the most important holidays in Iceland, which commemorates the foundation of the Republic of Iceland in 1944. This date marks the end of Iceland's ties with Denmark, through an agreement between the two nations.
There's no best time of the day to watch whales - these magnificent animals are in the bay from early to late. As we're approaching the summer solstice, Gentle Giants Whale Watching is once again starting to offer a "Midnight Sun Exclusive GG2 Big Whale Safari and Puffins" tour on our RIB speed boats starting tomorrow, 16th of June.
