Icelandic waters make a home for around 24 species of whales, and north Iceland is extraordinary. In our bay, Skjálfandi, we have the chance to encounter numerous types, shapes and sizes of whales; from the very smallest to the very biggest and loads in between. This is of course wild nature and indeed unpredictable, but the chances of seeing whales are very high.
To learn more about the whale species spotted in our bay, please click on the whales below. Also check out our Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching.
Gentle Giants has good cooperation with the University of Iceland's Research Centre in Húsavík, offering our boats as a platform for marine biology research. Feel free to ask about their research if you see them on board.
When is the best time to see whales?
There is no time of the day when we are more likely to encounter whales. Nature is unpredictable and no two tours are the same – every trip is a new adventure.
Are whales seen on all tours?
Our whale watching tours take place in wild nature, which is very unpredictable. The chances of seeing whales are very high, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no whales (dolphins included) are seen on the tour, passengers are welcome to join a GG1 Whale Watching tour free of charge, depending on availability. Passengers can get a voucher for a free GG1 Whale Watching tour that is valid for the passengers of the original booking. The voucher is valid on tours where availability and bookings in advance cannot be made. The voucher is valid unlimited. We do not refund tickets if no whales (dolphins included) are seen on the tour.
Which are the most common whales in Skjálfandi Bay?
Our most common whale species are harbour porpoise, white-beaked dolphin, minke whale, humpback whale and blue whale.
Harbour porpoise
German: Schweinswal
French: Marsouin commun
Spanish: Marsopa común
Dutch: Gewone bruinvis
Italian: Focena comune
Czech: Sviňucha obecná
Chinese: 港湾鼠海豚
Icelandic: Hnísa
White-beaked dolphin
German: Weißschnauzendelfin
French: Dauphin à bec blanc
Spanish: Delfín hocico blanco
Dutch: Witsnuitdolfijn
Italian: Lagenorinco rostrobianco
Czech: Plískavice bělonosá
Chinese: 白喙斑纹海豚
Icelandic: Blettahnýðir
Minke whale
German: Zwergwal
French: Petit rorqual
Spanish: Rorcual aliblanco
Dutch: Dwerg vinvis
Italian: Balenottera minore
Czech: Plejtvák malý
Chinese: 小须鲸
Icelandic: Hrefna
Humpback whale
German: Buckelwal
French: Baleine á bosse
Spanish: Ballena jarobada
Dutch: Bultrug
Italian: Megattera
Czech: Keporkak
Chinese: 座头鲸
Icelandic: Hnúfubakur
Blue whale
German: Blauwal
French: Rorqual bleu
Spanish: Rorcual azul
Dutch: Blauwe vinvis
Italian: Balenottera azzurra
Czech: Plejtvák obrovský
Chinese: 蓝鲸
Icelandic: Steypireyður
