Whale Diary

10:00 - We quickly got dressed and jumped to our boats. Our first stop was Engey island that is home for thousands of puffins. We had the chance to see them laying on the surface of the water, flying around and chilling next to their borrows. After this lovely stop we set course towards the open waters. It didn't take long until we came across a humpback whale that was not more than one mile away from the shore. We stayed with it for quite some time as it was a really friendly and curious individual surfacing often and close to our boat. While we where enjoying the presents of this gentle giant a pod of three harbour porpoises passed by. We were amazed by the difference of size. After this amazing show we continued further out. We manage to find another humpback whale that we spent the rest of time with it and we came back to port a bit wet but with unforgettable memories.  

Crew: Captain Miquel & Guide Lefteris, Captain Helgi & Guide Orsi

12:00 - It was a rainy day, but whatever, we were having a great time! We headed out again and checked out some puffins around Akurey before looking for cetaceans. We were just about to follow a lead, when we just found a humpback whale nearby! This humpback was a little sleepy. It was surfacing in short intervals, it was spending a lot of time at the surface and it was even logging a little. Its dives must've been very shallow because it did not show its fluke once. This is when we spotted a minke whale nearby. We did not pay it much attention at first, because the humpback apparently woke up and started pec-slapping. This was great! We were amazed by this display. BUT THEN the minke whale was right next to us!! The humpback was no longer the main attraction. We watched this minke circling us, swimming upside down, SPYHOPPING for the next hour and a half!!!! We were looking at it, it was looking at us. We were losing our miiiiiinds. The crew was climbing around the boat, people were taking selfies with the minke, our captain had half her arm in the water trying to get underwater footage of it. Eventually, we thought we should leave it be because it was getting closer to the end of the trip. But NO, the minke had other ideas. It followed us as we were slowly trying to head out. It was wake-riding. It was bow-riding. It was a very sticky whale. We called our friend, the captain on our classic whale watching bat Eldey, so they could take over. As we reached the drop-off spot, the people on the other boat were getting excited. But the whale stuck with us! We stuck around them a moment and finally the minke took a look at the bigger boat. We said bye to it and headed back. Everyone was beyond excited about this absolutely rare encounter!!!!

Crew: Captain Megan & Guide Hannah

14:00 - The heavy rain had turned to a drizzle, but we still suited up for the wet weather, donning rain jackets under our overalls, and headed out. Our first stop was at the island of Engey, were we admire the Atlantic puffins, who we were sure to see further out as well, as they forage out in the bay. As we continued on, it didn't take long to spot the first sign of a whale nearby, a blow of a humpback whale. But not just any humpback whale, it was Neila, a well-known individual in this bay, who gave us some close looks, and even lob-tailed for us once! She also treated us to several majestic fluke dives, showing off the little alien face marking on her fluke, after which she is named. After a while, we decided to continue on and see what else we may find, and along the way we caught a glimpse of another humpback whale, but we had our sights set on another cetacean ahead, a very friendly minke whale that was in the middle of putting on a show for several boats. Minkes are famous for being elusive and shy, this little whale was circling around all the boats, surfacing incredibly close to them, at one point even rolling over underwater, showing its bright tummy! Such a rare sight to see such a playful and curious minke! What a unique tour!

Crew: Captain Miquel & Guide Lefteris, Captain Helgi & Guide Orsi

16:00 - The rain show carried on. We headed out prepared with all our layers. We saw some puffins around Akurey and started searching in the bay. It did not take long until we found something. It was a humpback whale surrounded by a few birds. It was doing a few surface sequences that we got to witness. Every time it was lifting its fluke when it initiated a deeper dive, giving us a great display. After a bit, carried on to look for more wildlife. We came across a puffling that was floating away. It would've only been a few weeks old and embarking on its first journey to sea. We did some cruising and spotted another blow! This time, it was two humpback whales swimming together! We only saw one surface sequence that ended with one of them beautifully lifting its fluke. Then, they were never to be seen again. Not sure where they went, so we carried on. We spotted a minke whale next. This one just showed up two or three times and then also disappeared. For this species, this is quite common. It was getting closer to the end of our trip, so we started turning around. On our way back to port, we spotted another humpback whale! Our forth one of the trip! Wow! This one swam our way and passed below our boat!! We saw it another couple of times but it never lifted its fluke for us. Then it was time to go home. We were so happy about just how many encounters we had on this trip!

Crew: Captain Megan & Guide Hannah

20:00 - Coming soon!

Crew: Captain Miquel & Guide Hannah