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Category: whale diaries

  • Iceland Whale Watching July 2019 in the Remote Westfjords

    Iceland Whale Watching July 2019 in the Remote Westfjords

    Iceland Whale Watching in July

    July is definitely peak season for whale watching in Iceland and usually, there are wonderful sightings all around the island. At this time of the year, chances are pretty much 100% that you see whales or dolphins on a whale trip in Iceland. While the big whale watching spots such as Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Husavik are well known to almost everyone, in this article, we want to introduce a much lesser-known spot with the same or even better chances of seeing whales in Iceland.

    Whale Watching Westfjords in July

    Holmavik is a village in the Westfjords of Iceland next to the incredible fjord Steingrímsfjörður. For a few years, whale watching has been available in this remote part of Iceland.

    What Makes Holmavik so special for Iceland Whale Watching in Summer

    There are a few parameters that make Holmavik especially good for whale watching in Iceland. Here we list the main arguments for a whale watching tour in the Westfjords.

    1. The wonderful whales

    There are plenty of whales in the fjord during summer. The most common whale species we see on our whale watching tours from Holmavik are humpback whales. But there is always a chance to see other whale species. All photos in this article were taken on July 13, 2019. On this day we saw several species. We had a four species morning with humpbacks feeding, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises also. In the afternoon we spent time with humpbacks, minke whales and a larger group of dolphins. We also saw some puffins flying around or sitting on the water.

    2. Responsible whale watching in Iceland

    Currently, there is only Láki Tours that offers unique whale trips from Holmavik in summer. That means there is only one whale watching boat in the whole fjord while at most other locations in Iceland several tour operators offer trips on several boats on an hourly basis (especially in July). That means Holmavik is a much quieter and more authentic place for whale watching in Iceland during summer. Instead of choosing between different types of tours from several tour operators there is only our wonderful and comfortable boat Láki II that welcomes you for whale watching in summer in Holmavik. Láki Tours policy of responsible whale watching involves respecting the world of the whale by approaching them slowly and carefully. We follow the whale watching guidelines of IceWhale and observe the whales with adequate distance.

    3. The fjord is incredibly sheltered

    Please have a look at the glass calm water on the photos in this article. The Steingrimsfjordur fjord is known for its calmness. The fjord is incredibly sheltered from most wind-directions, meaning we rarely have to cancel tours. Also, sea-sickness is almost unheard of in this fjord.

    4. The whales stay close to the harbour

    The photos demonstrate very clearly how close the whales usually stay to the harbour. That means we usually have to sail only for a couple of minutes to reach the whales. Therefore our 2-hour tour is one of the shortest whale watching options in Iceland making it the perfect trip for families or travelers who are afraid of getting seasick.

    5. Affordable whale watching in Iceland

    Iceland is an expensive country and we know that many travelers look for affordable tour options in Iceland. We are happy to inform you that our whale watching tour from Holmavik is one of the most affordable whale trips in Iceland.

    Summary Best Iceland Whale Watching July

    So if you are planning a trip to the Westfjords or the north of Iceland, we highly recommend taking this unique whale trip in a remote part of Iceland into consideration. If you wonder what else to do in this beautiful area of Iceland we recommend reading our blog about interesting things to do in Holmavik. For booking a whale watching tour please follow the link whale watching Westfjords.

  • Easter in Iceland with Orcas, Humpback Whales, and Dolphins

    Easter in Iceland with Orcas, Humpback Whales, and Dolphins

    Easter in Iceland

    Visiting Iceland around Easter is a great idea. The winter is almost finished and the days are getting longer and longer. If you still have the chance to see the magic Northern Lights depends a bit on the exact dates for the Easter holidays. If Easter is before April 15, there is still the chance to see the special green lights. After mid of April, there are no complete dark nights anymore and therefore Northern Lights cannot be seen anymore. From our point of view, Iceland is always beautiful and impressive with or without the Northern Lights.

    Combine your Easter Holidays in Iceland with Whale Watching

    March and April are also great months for our whale watching here in Snaefellsnes in the West of Iceland. At this time of the year, chances are really good to see orcas on our whale trips in Snaefellsnes. On top of that, many baleen whales such as humpback whales and minke whales arrive back in Iceland from the Caribbean where most of them stay over winter.

    Wonderful Sightings on Easter – April 22, 2019

    Easter Monday 2019 was a wonderful day for us here in Snaefellsnes. We went on two tours this day and saw in total 3 different species – orcas, humpback whales, and white-beaked dolphins. On both trips, some of the species were interacting, and we found them early on into the tour, meaning that we could observe them for a long time. On our afternoon tour, there was a big herring feast going on!

    We recommend also having a look at our sightings overview where you can see that it is very typical for April to see different type of whales on a tour. As we are dealing with nature there is never a guarantee for a specific sighting but we feel that having the chance to see whales in their natural habitat, but not really knowing in advance what you will see, makes whale watching in Snaefellsnes a truly magical experience. We would love to welcome you on one of our tours in Snaefellsnes next Easter.

  • Iceland Whale Watching April 21, 2019

    Iceland Whale Watching April 21, 2019

    Iceland in April – Is April a good time for Whale Watching?

    Are you planning a trip to Iceland in April? Do you want to add a whale watching trip to your itinerary? We think this is definitely a brilliant idea. April is one of the best months to see orcas in Snaefellsnes. So if you look for a unique whale watching opportunity, please definitely do not miss our wonderful peninsula in the West of Iceland.

    Iceland Whale Watching April 21, 2019

    We had two really awesome trips today! On our morning tour, we spotted white-beaked dolphins leaping out of the water, as soon as we came out of the harbor.

    This was followed by some amazing sperm whale and humpback whale sightings and the trip finished off by watching orcas. Our afternoon tour had two humpback whale encounters and lots of orcas around the boat.

    Whale Watching Snaefellsnes in April

    Please check our sightings overview for April 2019 in order to get a better idea about the whale sightings you can expect in April in Snaefellsnes. So far, we saw on almost all of our tours in April orcas. Humpback whales and white-beaked dolphins are staying currently also regularly in our bay.

    Iceland Weather in April

    April is a wonderful month to travel in Iceland. In April, the daylight is already very long and spring is slowly starting. April is also a great month for travelers who want to avoid the crowds and who are looking for lower winter prices. Most accommodations and car rental prices have low season prices until the end of April.

  • Orca Watching Snaefellsnes March 31, 2019

    Orca Watching Snaefellsnes March 31, 2019

    Iceland Winter Whale Watching

    Going on a whale watching tour in winter is sometimes a bit challenging. If you plan joining our whale watching tour from Grundarfjordur we highly recommend dressing warmly. Different layers plus hat and cloves are essential for our boat trip. Plus, you can also wear one of our warm overalls we provide for free on our orca watching tour.

    Orca Watching Snaefellsnes March 31, 2019

    Today we had a windy and rainy trip. But the cold Icelandic weather did not prevent us from finding about 10 orcas in the choppy seas of Breidafjördur! We observed them foraging and travelling, both close and far from the boat.

    Iceland Orca Watching Snaefellsnes March Orca Watching Snaefellsnes in March Orca Watching Snaefellsnes March

    Migrating Orcas

    Do you know that some of our Icelandic orcas regularly migrate to Scotland? This is one of the research topic of Orca Guardians Iceland, the nonprofit organisation we work closely with.

    The Scots are back!! We spotted both adult male Supreme (SN066, also known as “Hulk”) and sub adult male Nótt (SN067) travelling side by side in Breiðafjörður today. We had not seen them this winter season so far and really missed them. Orca Watching in Snaefellsnes – it could not be more exciting!

  • Orca Watching Iceland in March – Report from March 25, 2019

    Orca Watching Iceland in March – Report from March 25, 2019

    Orca Watching Iceland in March

    March is one of the best months to watch orcas in Iceland. At this time of the year we regular see these impressive whales on our winter whale watching tour from Grundarfjordur.

    orca watching iceland march

    Orca sightings on March 26, 2019

    We, once again, had an incredible trip with lots of orcas! It was a bit challenging for us to brave the wind and the rain but in the end we were rewarded with amazing sightings of orcas resting, feeding, travelling, and socializing.

    orca watching iceland in march orcas in iceland in march

  • Orca Watching Iceland March 24, 2019

    Orca Watching Iceland March 24, 2019

    Orca Watching Iceland March 24, 2019

    Snaefellsnes is a great place for whale watching in Iceland and March normally a great month with wonderful sightings. During this time of the year the highlight on our trips are orcas, also called killer whales.

    We had a wonderful trip today with both a group of orcas and a humpback whale! First we spotted a single male orca travelling in Breidafjördur, but soon also found the rest of his group as they were foraging closer to the shore. When we were already on the way back, we then spotted the humpback whale that lifted up its fluke once before we had to return to the harbor.

    iceland orca watching march orca watching iceland in march orca watching iceland march

    Come Orca Watching in Snaefellsnes

    If you are interested in seeing orcas in Iceland, Snaefellsnes is the place to be. As you can imagine we cannot predict orca sightings for the future but so far, December and March have proven to be good months for winter sightings. At this time of the year our whale watching tour starts from Grundarfjordur. In the summer we often see killer whales in April, May and June and our boat departs from Olafsvik.

  • Orca Watching Snaefellsnes in March – Amazing Sightings on March 22, 2019

    Orca Watching Snaefellsnes in March – Amazing Sightings on March 22, 2019

    Iceland Whale Watching in Winter

    In several guide books it is written that winter is not the best timing for whale watching in Iceland. This might be true for places such as Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri but NOT for Snaefellsnes. March is actually one of our most interesting months here in Grundarfjordur since it is a great time to see orcas in Iceland. Joining a whale watching trip from Grundarfjordur in March might provide you similar sightings than we experienced on March 22, 2019.

    Orca Watching Snaefellsnes in March – Amazing Sightings on March 22, 2019

    We had an incredible afternoon tour today with lots and lots of orcas and one humpback whale! We did not have to go very far, and soon spotted blows and fins. And only after some minutes we had them all around us.

    [mk_gallery images=”4693,4699,4696,4690″ style=”thumb” item_id=”1536950541-5b9c010d3e6de”]

    Read more about our orca watching Snaefellsnes in March from Grundarfjordur by clicking this LINK.

  • Iceland Whale Watching March 13, 2019

    Iceland Whale Watching March 13, 2019

    We are always happy when the Icelandic weather allows us to operate our winter whale watching tour in Snaefellsnes. March is a special time for us since it is one of the best months to see orcas in Iceland.

    Iceland Whale Watching March 13, 2019

    We had a three-species morning trip! We made our way towards the North in Breidafjörður to explore areas that we had not scouted through for some time. First we came across a group of about 7 white-beaked dolphins. The white-beaked dolphin belongs to the toothed whales. It is the most common dolphin around Iceland and we see them in Snaefellsnes all year around.

    This was followed by two minke whale sightings – the first Minke whales of the winter season. Minke whales belong to the baleen whales. It is one of the most common whales spotted off the coast of Iceland.

    When we were already on the way home, we finally also found the orcas – a group of about 15 individuals that was travelling and socializing in the waves. Orcas are the is the largest member of the dolphin family and the reason why many travelers come to Snaefellsnes in March for a whale watching trip.

    [mk_gallery images=”4593,4596,4599,4602″ style=”thumb” item_id=”1536950541-5b9c010d3e6de”]

    Come to Snaefellsnes for Iceland Whale Watching in March

    At this time of the year our whale watching starts from Grundarfjordur located in the North of the peninsula Snaefellsnes in West Iceland. Read more about our tour by clicking this LINK.

  • Iceland Whale Watching in March – Report from March 10, 2019

    Iceland Whale Watching in March – Report from March 10, 2019

    Iceland Whale Watching in March

    March is one of our most busy months in winter. At this time of the year, chances are very good to see orcas in Snaefellsnes. Many travelers use this opportunity and add a whale watching tour from Grundarfjordur to their itinerary. On March 10, 2019 we were lucky to see far ahead of the boat. In the beautiful sunshine, we spotted a male orca on our morning trip and several groups of orcas in the afternoon. Iceland Whale Watching in March could not be more spectacular!

    iceland orca watching in march iceland whale watching in march

    On top of these impressive killer whale encounters we also spotted sperm whales today. The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and is rarely seen on whale watching tours around Iceland. The best time for seeing sperm whales in Snaefellsnes seems to be late spring and early summer. But of course nobody complained today about this nice encounter.

    iceland whale watching march

    Coming to Iceland in March for Orcas

    If you are coming to Iceland mainly for orcas, we highly recommend spending at least one night on the Snaefellsnes peninsula and booking your whale watching tour on your first day in the area. If the weather does not cooperate and we have to cancel a tour, you would be able to reschedule the tour to the next day. Do you know that Láki Tours has a cozy guesthouse in Grundarfjordur? You can check on our website if we still have availability for your travel dates. It is located right next to the harbor and you can reach the famous Mt Kirkjufell in less than 5 minutes by car. This mountain is the perfect background when the magic Northern Lights appear in the winter sky.

  • Whale Watching Iceland March 5, 2019

    Whale Watching Iceland March 5, 2019

    Whale Watching Iceland March 5, 2019

    For most whale watching companies in Iceland March is low season. The reason is that most of the baleen whales are during this time of the year in the Southern part of the world. Not so for Láki Tours in Snaefellsnes. March is one of the best months  to see orcas in Iceland so we have plenty of passengers who want to see these amazing animals in the wild nature.

    Amazing Orca Watching in March

    Today we want to share a few photos from two beautiful trips on March 5, 2019. We saw several orcas both in the morning and on our afternoon tour. As we came along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the morning, we could see the blows and fins of the orcas from afar. It was wonderful to watch them foraging and traveling in the deeper waters of Breiðafjörður.

    On our second trip, we hurried back to the same area. And, once again, we were very lucky to spot orcas, including a young calf. The landscape was covered in snow and provided a nice background when photographing the orcas.

    Come to Snaefellsnes for Iceland Winter Whale Watching in March

    At this time of the year our whale watching starts from Grundarfjordur located in the North of the peninsula Snaefellsnes in West Iceland. Read more about our tour by clicking this LINK.

    [mk_gallery images=”4446,4443,4440,4437″ style=”thumb” item_id=”1536950541-5b9c010d3e6de”]

    Photos: Marie Mrusczok (Tour Guide)