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. Whale watching hauganes is extremely proud of being the oldest whale watching iceland company. Actually im also going to iceland next february and thinking of going on a whale watching tour thats how i found that place. I would cheerfully travel to iceland in the depths of the bleakest winter to see eider ducks. The whale watching season in iceland is really on year round although trips in the winter are more likely to be delayed or cancelled due to bad. This trip ensures you experience everything iceland has to offer, from the natural. Northern iceland is globally recognized as the best location to experience whales in the world. Iceland is a wonderful place to go whale watching and this tour is promising both in summer and also in winter. Ask us for availability, dates and full trip notes. Iceland winter whale watching holiday travel with jules. In winter, iceland is one of the best places in the world to observe whales, too. The blue whale calves, for instance, weigh about 2,5 tons approx. Our winter whale watching tour offers a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to the summer whale watching tours. A part of the exhibition focuses on conservation where the multiple threats and their solutions that whales face in the ocean today are showcased.
Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. I would guess that in winter, this isnt an option as it will be too cold to do without the provided clothing. The worlds 8 best destinations for whale watching and. The high peak season for whale watching is from april to october, but of course the ocean is always full of adventures. Whale watching out of akureyri, north iceland this christmas. During winter whale watching in iceland focuses on the snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of the country where orcas gather to feed on large shoals of herring, typically between january and march. 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. The combination of snorkeling through the famous silfra fissure followed by whale watching is a great way to get to know the many forms of one of iceland s most prominent elements. Does whale watching from reykjavik make sense at this time. On this combo tour of whales and puffins, we experience amazing wildlife directly from reykjaviks charming old harbour. Are different whales sighted or do certain types have more likelihood of sightings during different times of year. Winter in north iceland is the true icelandic winter. We have toured with travelers on whale watching since 1993. Each year continues to surprise us with the wildlife this season offers.
If you need it warm and cozy during winter, just follow the gray whales and go to. Whale watching iceland holidays discover the world. The whales of iceland exhibition showcases 23 lifesize whale models with a lot of indepth information, interactive experiences and underwater footage of whales shown on a 8 meter long screen. Elding tour operator offers whale whatching tours from reykjavik iceland, one of many family friendly things to do.
A comprehensive guide to winter activities in iceland during the winter. It seems to have the highest chance of encountering whales in winter. With budget airlines like wow air flying people in from across mainland europe as well as north america, and other airlines such as icelandic air offering free stopovers in reykjavik, the number. We did see some minky whales but it wasnt our best whale watching experience and we probably wouldnt do it again.
Here are reasons why you should travel to iceland in winter. The winter season has proven to provide an exciting and adventurous whale watching experience. Winter whale watching is different from summer whale watching not only because you see other species, but also because the weather can be quite unpredictable. This fishing town is one of the best places in the world for shorebased whale watching, ideal for. So the best time for whale watching is usually from march september simply because of the weather. Arctic adventures northern whale watching tours have a 98% success rate when it comes to whale sightings. The most common whales during winter season are whitebeaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, humpback whales and killer whales.
Experience the best iceland has to offer with spectacular whale watching opportunities. The whole boat felt the same and we eventually took the outer clothing off so that we were cooler. A whale watching boat in iceland, with a humpback whale tail out of water. Visiting iceland in winter can be a wonderful experience as there are fewer people, beautiful winter landscapes, and chances to see the northern lights. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. It was oh so magical experience and iceland is also cheaper than in summer. Orcas in iceland orca whale watching iceland killer. The second is an activity that is essential when visiting reykjavik in winter a northern. Icelandic winters might be chilly but theyre far from lifeless indeed, its the best season to spot feeding orcas and, with luck, the northern lights says william gray. Since herrings and small fish are abundant in winter in this area, these toothed whales unlike most baleen whales stay around all year long.
Winter tours in iceland, summer tours in iceland, we have all the activities you may need on your travel to iceland. But with the daylight lasting just three hours and the. Hi, im thinking of visiting iceland in late september. Were the oldest whale watching company in iceland, since 1993. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. Orcas, sperm whales, and pilot whales are not very commonly seen in other whale watching tours in the world. Whale watching hauganes in north iceland whale watching. Iceland does not have a rainy season, but precipitation peaks in october to february, with the southern and western parts receiving the most rainfall. Snaefellsnes whale watching in winter for us in snaefellsnes, winter is definitely a busy season for whale watching and travelers from all around the world join our tours from grundarfjordur or olafsvik. It has attractions that you cant get anywhere else in iceland. Whales and dolphins are at their greatest numbers during the summer months between april and october when the marine beasts come to feed on the plankton that thrives on the nutrientrich deposits of iceland s bays.
Winter in northern iceland is the time to spot large pods of magnificent orcas feeding close to shore, but brutal weather means kevin rushbys trip is almost a writeoff. Book your online tour with us and support local businesses book your tour here. View gallery download holiday overview download trip notes. Species visiting the island include the orca, minke, humpback and blue whale. Iceland winter whale watching find places to whale watch. Iceland is a great place to observe whales, as they enjoy the cold waters and abundant feeding grounds. Whale watching tours in the north of iceland dalvik if youre based in the north of the country, a whale watching trip from dalvik is the ideal option for you. Whale watching is a popular, cheap and fun activity to do in iceland. Winter whale watching also opens up the opportunity to see some of the many seabirds that call iceland home, including fulmars, guillemots, gannets, cormorants and eider ducks. Whale watching and northern lights in iceland artisan travel. By clicking the buttons below you can learn more about our whale watching tours from grundarfjordur winter and olafsvik summer.
Seeing those beasts in all their glory is a magnificent experience. Minke whales are by far the most common great whale in iceland s waters, with many migrating here throughout summer and a few lingering through the winter months. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer. Iceland is home to a variety of whale species, although many only spend the summer months. Experience iceland s unique and wild natural history on this whale watching holiday. From november until march its particularly orcas and humpback whales that are hunting in the fjords rich in fish. The best time for spotting whales around iceland is the summer. Orca watching and northern lights holiday in iceland. Best time to visit iceland in 2020 northern lights. Everything about whale watching in iceland and whaling. Jump on a boating adventure to see some of the most fascinating animals in the entire world, including adorable puffins, iceland s favorite bird, and the worlds largest mammals, the majestic whale. Photo via getty images where to go whale watching in the fall hermanus, south africa. These amazing creatures, also known as killer whales, are known for gathering in this area in the winter months.
In the summer, you will see more whales than in winter and the whale watching capital of iceland, husavik, opens up for business. Iceland, dalvik watching crazy humpback whale from the. We hope we were able to answer all your questions about seeing orcas in iceland. Minke whales in iceland like humpback whales, minke whales are very frequently spotted all around the coast of iceland. The north, east and interior experience colder winter temperatures but warmer summers, and noticeably less snow and rain. Whale watching iceland winter snaefellsnes winter whale. During the winter, the daylight hours are very short only about 4 hours in the middle of winter. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching.
In the more southerly coastal waters, you can spot whales year round, with excursions operating from reykjavik harbour. 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. They are small compared to other species, but can still exceed nine. You can visit blue ice cave and conditions for taking pictures are at its best. There are also a number of fun winter activities to do like skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and joining in on holiday celebrations. Iceland s most influencing weather element is the wind. Our experience and flexibility allows for a more comfortable and reliable winter whale watching adventure, but going from other harbours means that we may need to take a bus anywhere from 2060 min. Winter in northern iceland is the time to spot large pods of orcas feeding close to shore.
Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. During the winter months, the coastal waters of the snaefellsnes peninsula are often teeming with herring a food bounty which can attract large pods of killer whales, dolphins and numerous seabirds. As a result, we only offer one whale watching tour per day, departing at. The whale watching season in iceland is really on year round although trips in the winter are more likely to be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. Winter whale watching from akureyri 23 december 2016 by. The best time to see whales in iceland and success rates. How to go whale watching in iceland whats on in iceland. Very high success rate on sighting winter whale watching is a unique experience and a whole other adventure compared to our summer tours. Not all areas in iceland are suitable for winter whale watching so we recommend choosing your whale watching location wisely. Baleen whales are a migratory species, and most travel long distances to tropical waters in winter and back to polar regions in summer. This tour combines some of the most popular attractions in iceland in winter time a classic whale watching in the afternoon and a northern lights cruise in the. The whales are here, the northern lights are here and so are the geothermal sea baths. Watch kevins audio slideshow on killer whalewatching in iceland.
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