Theres also some places for opportunistic whale watching while doing a regular nature tour, i. Better to do something else in iceland in february and march then go whale watching so many other interesting thing to do tours to take. Puffins only colonise iceland during a limited time 15 may 15 august and therefore tours undertaken out of this timeframe are not guaranteed to see them. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. Whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. Weather in iceland in february the average temperature in february in the capital, reykjavik, is 1c 33. Iceland, a major whaling nation since the late 19th century and a founding member of the iwc, did not formally object to the 1982 decision and was thus bound by the ban. Whales of iceland partners with several whale watching companies around iceland. These locations confirm, that whales are all around the coastline. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland. The lowlying sun is something not to be missed, as it casts a warm glow over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the bay, often painting the sky bright orange or pink.
Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. In total there are 18 companies down by the old harbor, restaurants, bike renting, scooter rental, restaurants, souvenirs and guided tours on electric bikes and scooters in reykjavik. We are planning a 7 days trip to iceland in mid october and are very interested in whalewatching. As a disclaimer i havent been there myself but i guess it should be ok because its off route 1 which gets plowed year round. Jul 22, 2010 from a whale watching tour by elding in reykjavik, great video. According to research carried out by the international fund for animal welfare ifaw, 80% of the minke whales killed in iceland are harpooned close to the whale watching area in faxafloi bay outside reykjavik. A good time for orcas would be from november to april around snaefellsnes, humpbacks are mostly seen in november december and then again from february around akureyri and husavik. On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises.
Its also one of the countrys wetter months, with an average of 83mm precipitation. This is the original whale watching tour from reykjavik and one of the most popular attractions in iceland. According to the ceos of icelands two whaling companies, exporting whale meat does not really pay off. Commercial trade in parts and products from species listed on appendix i is prohibited. If you are planning an iceland road trip with plenty of daylight, consider using my ebooks with practical maps and detailed information to plan your day effectively and see all the most. Whales of iceland is the largest whales exhibition of its kind in the world. We are planning a 7 days trip to iceland in mid october and are very interested in whale watching. Iceland will allow more than 2,000 whales to be killed.
Today, iceland is one of a handful of countries that formally object clarification needed to an ongoing moratorium established by the international whaling commission in 1986, and that still. Whale watching around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others. May 06, 2020 november to february 4h30 to 8 hours fo daylight. At least one of the reykjavik whale watching operators publishes their trip diary on the web, so you can read their trip diary for last september and see just what it was like, how many trips were cancelled due to rough seas, how many whales they saw and of what kind. The whale watching begins march 1, so its a perfect timing the day is getting longer, the snow is slowly disappearing, and the whales are reappearing in larger numbers than ever before. In winter, iceland is one of the best places in the world to observe whales, too.
Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to north iceland. Whale watching in september iceland lonely planet forum. Does anyone know how good the whale watching is out of reykjavik at that time of year. Whitebeaked dolphins live for example all year around in icelandic waters. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. Iceland resumed largescale trade in whale products under reservation to japan in 2008. Mar 01, 2018 a beached whale was, in hard times, and there were often hard times in iceland, equivalent to a major lottery win.
Whale watching is also available from the reykjavik harbour. Iceland resumed commercial whaling on 21 october 2006 after icelandic whalers caught a fin whale. Team of iceland unlimited recommends all travelers and especially families to visit this spectacular museum iceland unlimited team visited whales of iceland museum in reykjavik, the largest whale exhibition in europe. Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows if there is much chance of seeing anything on a whale watching tour in february. Around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others. Rib express whale wathing this is a once in a lifetime boat experience. It is also important to consider how long nighttime is to see the northern lights more on that later. The tour companies and tourist info websites obviously claim that there is a good chance of seeing whales in the winter, but i cant seem to find any impartial information on whether theres actually any chance of this happening. Best time to visit iceland in 2020 northern lights. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. The irony of serving whale meat just a 10minute walk from where tourists line up for whale watching does not escape me. Im planning a trip to iceland within the next two months and whale watching is pretty high on my list of awesome things to do. You should definitely stop by husavik, the whale watching capital of iceland.
So picking a hotel down town you only have to walk 5 minutes max. Close to downtown, this is truly an immersive exhibit that will take you into the world of the whales. Dalvik is an old fishing village and a commercial port for fisheries and goods in the area. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. Iceland to let more than 2,000 whales be killed within the next five years.
If you are travelling in winter please use this option. Apr 05, 2019 that market has since collapsed and no whale meat was exported from iceland in 2017. You can find the exhibition in reykjavik, icelands capital city. The most recent icelandic hvalreki event happened on 26 november 2015, when a beached whale appeared at seltjarnarnes, a lovely peninsula on the. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. From november until march its particularly orcas and humpback whales that are hunting in the fjords rich in fish. Join us for a chance to encounter the incredible whales and dolphins of faxafloi bay. This article provides everything you need to know about whale watching in iceland, plus some fun facts about whales in iceland. It turns out that iceland is a great place to see whales, one of the best destinations in europe in fact. The whales of iceland exhibition, open since 2014, features lifelike fullsized models of the whale species around iceland, an interactive installation, vr and audio guide. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. That market has since collapsed and no whale meat was exported from iceland in 2017. Northern norway is one of the best places to see northern lights and whales. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked.
Whales of iceland is a new exhibit that opened in the heart of reykjaviks old harbour area in february 2015. The good thing about whale watching from reykjavik is that you dont have to go far to spot whales and they are spotted in almost. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter. Just 10 minutes north of hauganes is the scenic village of dalvik, at the mouth of svarfa. And although whale watching in iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial.
Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. Over the last two decades, iceland has become one of europes premier whale watching destinations. Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to iceland as seeing northern lights, hot springs and glaciers. Oct 11, 2017 by far the best time of year for whale watching in iceland is during the summer months, from april through september, when over 20 species of cetaceaincluding the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whalecan be seen in the north atlantic and arctic oceans on either side of the island. The ultimate guide to iceland in february guide to iceland. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and iceland. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around icelands coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. Its really special experience to head out to see a whale move greacefully through gentle fjord waters or out across a bay, relatively close to the shore. In february 2019, the icelandic fisheries minister allocated a quota of 209 fin whales as well as 217 minke whales to be hunted each year until 2023 but in june it was announced that iceland s fin whaling company, hvalur hf, would not be carrying out any whaling. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the snaefellsnes peninsula, but tours are also offered starting from the capital reykjavik or from akureyri close to husavik.
Whales of iceland opened its doors for wdc and erich hoyt who held an impressive lecture to celebrate 25 years of whale watching in iceland. Of the 23 different species of whale found in icelands waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. Opened in february of 2014, the huge exhibition is designed. All the year around youll be able to see a variety of whales by the coast, from the minke, humpback and killer whales to whitebeaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. The girlfriend is obsessed with whales despite never seeing one and would love to see one while we are over there. Of the 23 different species of whale found in iceland s waters, eight are frequently spotted on whale watching excursions. Is it possible to see the humpback whales and where would it. Whales in snaefellsnes in february luckily there are not only baleen whales around snaefellsnes. Nowadays, every so often news reports will carry stories about a beached whale. Its all about the gray whales in february, their migration is one of the longest of all marine animals.
Winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. Whales of iceland uses cookies to give you the best experience when you visit our website, whalesoficeland. Plus, there is always the chance to see toothedwhales such as orcas and sperm whales on our winter whale watching tour from grundarfjordur. Ten days of winter whale watching in tromso, far beyond the arctic circle. At least one of the reykjavik whalewatching operators publishes their trip diary on the web, so you can read their trip diary for last september and see just what it was like, how many trips were cancelled due to rough seas, how many whales they saw and of what kind. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife it offers. Hi, there are four whale watching companies in reykjavik all down town in reykjavik. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Whales of iceland reykjavik, iceland atlas obscura. Iceland has an exemption to the moratorium through the reservation made in 2002.
There are numerous photos of henry rudy after his time as a trapper and a member of the. The ocean around iceland is cold during winter time and thats when the whales go south to warmer waters, to the caribbean wouldnt we all. Iceland joined cites in 2000, and immediately took reservations to the listing of several species of whales, including fin and minke whales, on appendix i. By far the best time of year for whale watching in iceland is during the summer months, from april through september, when over 20 species of cetaceaincluding the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whalecan be seen in the north atlantic and arctic oceans on either side of the island. Iceland on the web can plan you a very friendly and inexpensive package for whale watching in reykjavik. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. Whaling in iceland began with speardrift hunting as early as the 12th century, and continued in a vestigial form until the late 19th century, when other countries introduced modern commercial practices. The largest whale museum in europe allows visitors to walk among lifesize giants. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Is it possible to see the humpback whales and where would it be the best spots for whale watching.
Or the big whales, such as finbacks and blue whales. In 1982, the international whaling commission iwc imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986. About whales of iceland open since 2014 lifesized models. The success rate of the summer tours is over 95%, in the north, this is even higher at 98%. Best time to visit iceland in 2020 northern lights, scenery. Whales in iceland in february humpback whale feb 20 in. Our tours have a 98% success rate for whale sightings thanks to the favorable icelandic waters whales populate the area yearround due to the unique sea conditions. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. The whale watching port in the north is akureyri and husavik. Mar 03, 2016 the ocean around iceland is cold during winter time and thats when the whales go south to warmer waters, to the caribbean wouldnt we all. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. In the unlikely event of no whale or dolphin sightings, you will be offered to join a classic whale watching tour on the bigger vessels free of charge. Twentyfive nations delivered a formal diplomatic protest called a demarche to the icelandic government on 1 november 2006 concerning resumed commercial whaling. Icelands minke whale quota in recent years has been set at 224 minke whales per year, though nowhere near that number has been caught in recent years.
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