Whale Diary

10:00 -  The weather was in our favor this morning as it was overcast with almost no wind. We went out to the sea that was flat as a duckpond. Just a few minutes after we passed by Grotta Lighthouse we saw the first animals on the surface. A mall pod of 5 harbour porpoise. We stopped but the illusive little guys decided to disappear rather than getting closer to the boat. We did not mind since we saw blows and flukes on the surface just a few hundred meters away. It were three humpback whales that traveled slowly and showed some nice fluke dives. We went on to make good use of the perfect conditions and just after a few minutes we saw dolphins jumping in the distance. As we got close to them, it turned out to be a large pod of around 30 individuals that was traveling fast and investigating our boat. After some time with these playful animals we had to return to Reykjavik. On our way back we saw some more splashing on the surface and as we got closer it turned out to be a playful humpback whale slapping his pectoral fins on the surface. He rolled on the surface as we got closer and even breached three times close to the boat! After a short stop at the puffins on Akurey, we returned to port with great memories in our minds.  

Crew: Captain Gunni & Guide Knut, Captain Pedro & Guide Eleftherios

12:00 - We headed out on a very foggy sea. A minke whale appeared a few times. We carried on and found 2 humpback whales who were all coming close to our boat and checking us out. After spending some time with these individuals we wanted to try finding something else. Some activity was documented in the distance and as we got closer we saw that this was two more humpback whales - and not any two whales, but a mother and a calf. As this was not good enough, they were surrounded by around 6 white beaked dolphins who surprised us with close and fast encounters. This calf did not have any spatial awareness and was extremely clumsy. At one point it even got right in front of us and rolled on its back with fins up in the air, although we were standing still. It also poked its head up and did a little spy hop at one point. Seeing them feed altogether was a delight! This tour has been nothing but special. 

Crew: Captain Emily & Guide Frida

14:00 - 

Crew: Captain Gunni & Guide Knut

16:00 - This tour started off strong with a big pod of around 20 white beaked dolphins. The water was so calm and we could see them pass under the boat and they popped up here and there. Some even started jumping and putting on a show for us. They stayed with us for a good amount of time and then we went off to try to find something else. On our way we accidentally found another pod of like 10 more white beaked dolphins. However, this pod was not as curious and we carried on our search. Spouts were seen from afar and this turned out to be 2 humpback whales. It was the iconic duo of a mother and a calf. They were not being shy at all and as the water was so calm, the white pectorial fins were clearly visible as they rose to the surface. It was a beautiful encounter. All of a sudden we were stunned by a BIG peduncle throw from the mom. She is huge and gave off a loud noise and a enormous splash. We took this as a sign to carry on and saw breaching and more peduncle throws in the distance. As we got closer though, the activity stopped, but we still got to enjoy two more humpback whales. During the tour we also had many minke whales passing by, for sure minimum of six. Incredible tour that left a smile on our faces.

Crew: Captain Emily & Guide Frida

20:00 - What an amazing tour! we set off under clear skies and calm seas, heading straight for the largest puffin colony in Faxafoi bay Akurey island. Over 15000 pairs come here to bread, and it was the perfect time for us to watch these adorable birds flying all around. Soon after, we ventured into open waters, and it did not take long before we spotted our fist pot of white beaked dolphins kicking off our tour with a burst of excitement. We stayed with them for minutes before continuing further out in search of something bigger. Not long after we found ourselves surrounded by at least eight minke whales all feeding in the same area. It was incredible sight. A bit later we changed course toward some distant blows we had spotted and sure enough we encountered four humpback whales including a mother and her cald that we have been observing in the area for the past few weeks. We  are thrilled to have them staying in faxafloi bay. The action was non stop ... buble net feeding , louge feeding, and flocks of seabirds filled the sky maing the whole scene fell cinematic. As our tour came to an end we began heading back somthing magical happened the baby humpback breaced right next to our boat leaving us completely speechless.

Crew: Captain Steini & Guide Eleftherios