Whale Diary

10:00 - Heading out into the bay this morning, the water was extremely calm. It did not take long until we spotted the blow of one humpback whale. After a surface sequence we continued onward as we were not that far into the bay. It was not too long until we came across about ten harbour porpoises feeding. It was amazing as the boat was surrounded by them and they came super close! After an incredible encounter, we continued onward. We stumbled upon about five solitary minke whales. With such nice conditions we got to see multiple surface sequences. We then spotted the blow of another humpback whale and went to check them out. This humpback was very curious. As we approached it changed course and decided to check us out. It was amazing to have this whale be as curious about us as we were about them. After multiple surface sequences, this individual did a fluke dive and on that amazing note we continued. We then stumbled up two white-beaked dolphins. One was an adult and one was a juvenile that started to bow ride. They were also curious and surfaced close on both or left and right, swimming around and under the boat. After a while they moved on, and so too did we. On our way back to port we came across another minke whale. As we approached we then found a sleepy humpback whale in the same area! It was great to see the entire body through the water. After a bit, we left this humpback to sleep and we went back to port. With all four species sighted, we counted ourselves very lucky. What a great start to the day!

Crew: Captain Óðinn & Guide Sam, Captain Miquel & Guide Lefteris

12:00 - We headed out into a calm bay under sparse cloud cover with the wind beginning to pick up. We quickly spotted the first humpback whale of the tour, a rather shy individual, showing us beautiful fluke dives before disappearing for long, deep dives, surfacing great distances away. We then continued on to an area where a pair of humpbacks had been spotted, eager to see them. Just as we were about to head to another area to try our luck, we ran into this duo, a wonderful pair of humpbacks giving us a nice close look, showing off their flukes as well. We even recognized this duo, they had been hanging out together in the bay last week as well! Always nice to spot familiar faces (or flukes in this case)! We stayed with this pair as long as we could, before we had to head back, but spotted yet another humpback on the way back, a much smaller individual. Satisfied with our sightings, we headed back, a wonderful tour with 4 humpbacks and even 3 minke whales making brief appearances in the background.

Crew: Captain Kylie & Guide Orsi

14:00 - Amazing tour, calm waters and clear skies ahead. Right at the beginning of our tour we came across 2 minke whales that surfaced close to our boat filling us with excitement for the tour ahead. Not long after we spotted some splashes and we went to investigate. A pot of white-beaked dolphins really playful and curious of our existence. Jumping and diving under our boat giving us there nice energy. Not long after we spotted some blows and we set course to see what's there. Indeed Not one but two humpback whales cruising together. They treated us with beautiful fluke dives and even an impressive peduncle throw. An incredible show that we will never forget. After a while we let them be because we found other 2 humpback whales that were feeding close to this area that made our tour even more exciting. 

Crew: Captain Óðinn & Guide Sam, Captain Miquel & Guide Lefteris

15:00 - We sailed out into the calm bay, slightly larger waves than midday, and slight cloud cover. We spotted our first humpback whale, a bit elusive, travelling rather quickly. We then spotted two more blows not far away, and headed over to a pair of humpbacks travelling together. We then spotted yet another humpback, also moving very quickly towards a flock of lunge diving Northern gannets. We followed this individual, as it was going for regular dives, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it breached! Quite the surprise! This individual ended up giving us quite the show, coming really close to inspect our boat, raising a pectoral fin out of the water, performing multiple rolls and half spy-hops. A very very curious little humpback eager to give a show to his adoring audience. We also had 2-3 minke whales swimming by in the background. It was very difficult to turn around and head back towards the harbour, highlighting just how incredible this tour was.

Crew: Captain Kylie & Guide Orsi

19:00 - We headed out towards the setting sun, which was painting the waves golden yellow. The clouds had mostly parted, some still scattered around the horizon. As we made our way out, we spotted a blow, that was absolutely illuminated by the setting sun, the first humpback whale. We tried to get a good look at this individual, but it was very busy, going for long fluke dives often, making it a challenge to keep up. We then saw some large splashes in the distance, and headed over, but were briefly distracted by some tiny splashes and tiny dark backs nearby, a small pod of 3-4 harbour porpoises! Living up to their reputation, they decided to vanish rather quickly, so we continued on towards where the splashes had been, but were suddenly surprised by a big splash behind us, much closer. Our second humpback of the tour, and quite the showman: treating us to multiple breaches and pec slaps! We admired this very active whale for quite a while, before heading over to some other big splashes off in the distance, but by the time we got there, the whale had calmed down, so we got to see some more magical blows glowing the rays of the setting sun and some wonderful fluke dives! An absolutely incredible tour!

Crew: Captain Kylie & Guide Orsi