Whale Diary

12:00 - We bundled up and set sail, excited to see who we would encounter this afternoon. It was not too long before we spotted the small dossal's of 8 harbor porpoises! This species is usually quite elusive, but they were surfacing around our boat for a few minutes. They even swam right next to us and conditions were calm enough to hear when they surfaced for a breath. After a wonderful encounter we continued. Out in the bay there were many flocks of Northern gannets plunge diving, so we could see that there was food aplenty. That was when we saw the small blow of one minke whale. There were also a couple more harbor porpoises that surfaced while we awaited the minke whale. This individual gave us a nice surface sequence before moving onward, and so we also continued. As we traveled we spotted many Atlantic puffins, signaling that their breeding season is getting closer and closer. In the distance we could see multiple blows and headed in that direction. As we approached, we saw that in the areas there were 10 solitary humpback whales. All around us, there were humpback surfacing and flukes galore. We even had a humpback surface right in front of the boat, we could smell their fishy breath! Then another individual started pectoral slapping in the distance. After multiple close surface sequences, and an amazing sighting, unfortunately it was time to head back to port. What a great tour!

Crew: Captain Pedro & Guide Sigrún, Captain Miquel & Guide Sam 

15:00 - Todays afternoon tour was nothing short of extraordinary. We headed out once more into our beloved bay but it wasn't long until we were greeted with the white mist of a blow on the horizon. We moved closer and found ourselves right next to a humpback whale! Then, one humpback turned into two humpbacks, and two turned into three, and suddenly we were surrounded by more than five humpbacks all surfacing at once! We simply did not know where to look. Meanwhile, at least three minke whales circled around, feeding in the area we had settled. Underneath us, a huge school of capelin, much to the whales' enjoyment. Suddenly, a shadow appeared beneath us, and a massive humpback emerged right in front of the boat, less than a meter away! But this wasn't just a coincidence, the whale was really checking us out and even spyhopped right next to excited passengers. It circled around again before moving on. But the whale encounters did not stop there! We got a glimpse at multiple pods of harbour porpoises all over the place, at least 10, and the whales were still going about their day all around the bay as we finally made our way to the harbour. A simply lovely afternoon!

Crew: Captain Pedro & Guide Sigrún